Published by Candlewick

Summary:  On page 1, a mouse meets a wolf.  On page 2, the wolf eats the mouse.  End of story, right?  Of course not…turns out life inside the wolf is pretty good.  A duck has already set up housekeeping there, and is living the good life, no longer afraid of being eaten.  “I have been swallowed,” says the duck, “but I have no intention of being eaten.”  The two celebrate with feasting and dancing.  Good for them, not so great for the wolf, who gets a terrible stomachache.  Then one day, a hunter is after the wolf.  Just when it looks like it’s all over for him, the two friends pop out and save his life.  To show his gratitude, the wolf lets them stay, willing to put up with the pain.  And that is why, every night, the wolf howls at the moon.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pro:  Another quirky and inspired tale told by Mac Barnett and illustrated with a brown and gray palette by Jon Klassen.  Like the wolf with the mouse, kids will eat it up.

Cons:  Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this duo; I’m generally scratching my head by the last page.  But I love reading them to kids, because there’s always an enthusiastic response.

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