I'm a therapist who frequently works with children who have experienced trauma, and I use bibliotherapy frequently in my practice. I plan to add The Big Bad Wolf in My House to my library following its publication.

In this children's picture book, a girl describes her experience witnessing domestic violence, which results in her and her mother leaving for a shelter. The specific experiences noted are universal enough to allow for conversations about domestic violence without retraumatizing children, and the open-ended end of the story allows for discussion about what happens next. I would likely most often use this book with children who have had experiences similar to the protagonist (recent exit from a situation with domestic violence and/or shelter experience).

As an aside: This story does require some foundational knowledge of The Three Little Pigs, as it references pieces of that story.

Such a beautiful book! Many years ago, I was almost murdered and had to run to a woman's shelter in Green Bay, WI with my young kids. At the Golden House, I really wish this book when of been there for my kids to help understand what was going on and that they are not alone. The story follows a little girl and her mother. One day her mother brings home a man she is interested in and the little girl can see that he really is the big bad wolf. I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages and it would be nice to read more on the subject from this author.

While I appreciate that this book makes domestic violence understandable with a simple analagy of comparing it to the big bad wolf that blew the little pigs house down, it doesn't quite work for me because of how the abuse is portrayed.

And I know it is supposed to be simplified but it just seems wrong that the wolf is invited into the home, and then the mother and child have to leave their home to seek shelter elsewhere. So they are essentially kicked out of their own house. And while I know that happens, it just seems wrong.

And perhaps that is the whole point, of how bad letting a big bad wolf into your house is.

And the reasons for the start of the abuse is the mother arriving home late, and the dinner being cold.

But, on the other hand, logic is not why women are abused, and it is supposed to just explain it to the child, so perhaps this book will do what it has been created to do, give children whose mother is in an abusive relationship, hope that things will change.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

What a clever story. And so clear, even very young children would understand it. Bravo Valerie Fontaine! Such a timely book with the addition of phone numbers to call, BY THE CHILD(!), in the back of the book. Brilliant book. I enjoyed the illustrations. Sums up the wolf perfectly....

A powerful story about a young girl who faces a difficult situation when her mom’s new friend moves in and things start to go wrong.This is a moving story about domestic violence and what can happen. Its a short yet very moving story and would make a good read for kids. The artwork is fantastic and the use of a wolf is a great way to portray the danger. The story ends on a hopeful note.

*Thanks Netgalley and Groundwood Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I found this book really smart and moving, and I definitely teared up when I finished it. I'm not in love with the illustrations, which I found a touch plain compared with Nathalie Dion's other (lovely) work, and the narrator and mother don't feel super distinctively drawn to me, though the way the mother's colour palette is handled is nice.

The Big Bad Wolf in My House is a picture book told through the eyes of a young child experiencing domestic violence. She witnesses how the new boyfriend treats her mother and she experiences direct abuse from him as well.

This is definitely an important book, one that would be especially useful in therapeutic environments. I think it’s critical to have works that resonate with victims of all ages and this is told in a way that will be easy for young children to process.

Since this is a children’s picture book, it may seem unfair to say that it needed something more. I’ve second guessed myself on this thought process, but I can’t shake the feeling that this extremely short book would have benefited from a bit more text. I worked with young children throughout most of my adult life and while attention span does factor in, I think many preschool reads succeed in impactfulness, despite the length of the book. I can’t quite pinpoint what was missing here, but that doesn’t negate the fact that there is great value in what it offers.
Children need to know that they are not alone in a situation like this. In a diverse preschool setting, this may help some kids better understand an experience that is not their own while encouraging young victims to open up about their home life in a safe way.
I’m immensely grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
The Big Bad Wolf in My House is available for preorder and will be published on March 2, 2021.

The Big Bad Wolf in My House by Valerie Fontaine and illustrated by Nathalie Dion is a story about a wolf who comes to stay, and whose huffing and puffing will bring fear and confusion to the lives of a young girl and her mother. This analogical rendering of domestic violence becomes instantly relatable to young children who are familiar with the story of the wolf, and they will easily identify the elements of danger and an imminent need for escape. This is a clever reimagining of a classic story that shines a light on the reality of domestic abuse for so many children, and it is presented with hope and sensitivity. I would love to see more books like this in the future, and will recommend this one most highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press Inc. for an ARC of this title.