A book that was originally part of Aesop's Fables, this light children's story gets a rewrite. The illustrations are simple, as is the storyline, something most children will understand. Wolf fears his shadow, unsure of what it is. Facing fears is something all of us must come to terms with. While it's a cute tale, Wolf is not exactly heroic. Children will giggle, but I think today's modern child will require more muscle to their stories.



*Review copy provided by NetGalley.

Wolf is deeply afraid of his own shadow, in part because he doesn't understand what it is. He's not as brave, or so he thinks, as his peers and deeply embarrassed that they will find out about his fears and make fun of him. But then one day he accidentally does something brave and becomes a hero.

Inspired by an Aesop's fable, the story gently encourages children to own up to their fears and not to be embarrassed. I would have liked a more definitive resolution where Wolf actually does something, where he's proactive, instead of tripping into bravery. Nor did he ever deal with the fear of having his fear discovered by his friends. The artwork was a little odd, many of the animals, including the wolves, with odd proportions. Some children may enjoy the story but it could have been so much more.

Liked: Teaches kids about facing their fears and it is a unique story.

Wolf is afraid of everything, especially his shadow. Not only is he afraid of it, but he is embarrassed that his friends will find out that he is such a scaredy-cat. The descriptions of the shadow are actually rather frightening themselves, "His shadow was big and black next to him. And every time that Wolf yawned, it showed its big teeth." Wolf tries to get away from this monster by running and swimming away, but no luck. His shadow continues to follow him around. One day when all the little wolves are hiding from hunters, the sun comes up and wolve's shadow creeps up on him and poor Wolf loses control. He runs trying to get away from his shadow, but toward the hunters. He is screaming about the black monster with huge teeth and the hunters take off. If this monster can scare a wolf, then we need to get out of here. Wolf realizes that his shadow can be a help to him in a time of crisis and all the wolves think he is a hero.

A wonderful story for children who have fears, feel embarrassed about themselves or just do not realize that they are as good as anyone else. The illustrations are large, well done and show wonderful emotions on the face of the wolf. This is a story of victory and overcoming your fears. A great book for a parent to read to their children as well as one for primary classrooms where there might be some issues with fears, teasing, acceptance etc.

Looking for a book that talks about childhood fears and anxieties? Well this is the perfect book to use as a catalyst to address those issues.


Although wolves are supposed to be strong and tough and dangerous, Wolf in our story today, is anything but. He is a scaredy-cat or should I say scaredy-wolf. He is terrified of his own shadow. This causes him great concern and much embarrassment. What will his friends think of him if they find out?

"His shadow was big and black next to him. And every time that Wolf yawned, it showed its big teeth."

Wolf tries to detach himself from this monster by dashing to the top of the hill, swimming around the lake like mad, but to no avail. His shadow is relentless and chases him everywhere. It sticks to him like glue. No matter where Wolf goes his shadow tags along. Oh my, what is poor Wolf to do?

One day hunters appear in the woods and petrified Wolf finds a place to hide. His shadow creeps up on him and poor Wolf loses it. He just has to get out of there. He's not running from the hunters but from his very own shadow. Poor Wolf tears off towards the hunters screaming ...

"A black monster with huge teeth is following me!"

Really? The hunters are mortified. A monster that can scare a wolf? It must be a doozie indeed. They hightail it back to their village as fast as they can skedaddle. How will the rest of the wolfpack treat Wolf now? Will they be happy he saves the day and become their hero or will they laugh and scorn him for being so scared of his shadow and treat him like a sissy cry baby?

The illustrations are very expressive and can stand alone no problem. It's a story of victory and overcoming one's fears. It is a wonderful read aloud with a valuable lesson of accepting yourself just the way you are and also your peers. I highly recommend this book.

A story that addresses the childhood fears through a very scared wolf ; who is afraid of his own shadow. Kids will follow this scaredy cat and his "monster shadow" along it`s eye catching and stand alone illustrations. The monster shadow who follows the wolf everywhere will keep the spirits of our listeners high. It`s wonderful hues of opulent greens, oranges and greys together with it`s expressive images would entertain the viewers till the end. Though I wish that the text were less lengthier and effective in addressing the plot.

The little wolf didn't want his big, black shadow with great, big teeth to follow him everywhere. He was scared and ashamed of himself. He "dashed to the top of the hill. And he swam around the lake like mad. Nothing helped. His terrible shadow kept chasing him and never got tired". Until the day, when the hunters barged in. The wolf couldn't stay long in his hiding place because his shadow started to creep in. He ran out crying " A black monster with huge teeth is following me " And eventually terrified the hunters and made them run away, never to return........

This empirical plot is excellent to talk about childhood anxieties. And is well supported by it`s awesome illustrations.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
This book had so much potential. There are kids who don't understand their shadow and are afraid of them. The wolf in this story is afraid of his shadow and they can relate to that. As the book progressed, his wolf friends attack some sheep and hunters come after them......with guns. This is a book for 4 and up, why are we showing 4 year-olds, pictures of men carrying guns to shoot animals? The illustrations are quite nice though.

Ages 4 & up. Wolf is scared of his own shadow, but one day the thing he fears most becomes an asset.

I loved the illustrations and the exaggerated features of the animals. However, the climatic incident that causes Wolf to appreciate what he feared most strained credibility. That surely would not have ended well!

A fraidy-cat wolf is plagued by his shadow until a final attempt to escape from it brings an unexpected result. We've enjoyed other Clavis books but this one didn't stir us. Perhaps something was lost in translation from the original language.. Children will enjoy the colorful, almost cartoonish pictures. They are well-done but not our preferred style of illustration.