Lone Wolf

by Sarah Kurpiel, Sarah Kurpiel (Illustrator)

Overview

Maple loves being the Parker family’s pet dog . . . but why does everyone else think she’s a wolf? Fans of Red: A Crayon’s Story and Wolfie the Bunny will cheer for Maple to find exactly where she belongs.

Maple the husky is a valued member of the team, but strangers always seem to think she’s a wolf! It’s true: Maple can hunt, she can howl, and she can dig, just like wolves can. Oh, no! What if she is a wolf and doesn’t belong with her family after all?

A perfectly paced tale of family, self-acceptance, and belonging, Lone Wolf strikes the balance between heartwarming and hilarious. This irrepressible and sensitive dog’s identity crisis and spirited journey of self-discovery will capture readers’ hearts, whether or not they have a pet themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062943828
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/19/2020
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	822,439
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sarah Kurpiel  is the author and illustrator of Lone Wolf, which was named an Indie Next Pick. She is a librarian and a self-taught artist, inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. She uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Sarah Kurpiel lives with a cat as loud and as fast as Kiwi in Downers Grove, Illinois. www.sarahkurpiel.com

Sarah Kurpiel  is the author and illustrator of Lone Wolf, which was named an Indie Next Pick. She is a librarian and a self-taught artist, inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. She uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Sarah Kurpiel lives with a cat as loud and as fast as Kiwi in Downers Grove, Illinois. www.sarahkurpiel.com

Editorial Reviews

Maple is a beautiful black-and-white husky who loves her life with . . . her true pack, the Parker family. With lovely cadenced phrasing, and a winning heroine, this delightful ­debut picture book is strongly recommended.”

— School Library Journal (starred review)

“A beloved pet questions her place in the world. . . . Kurpiel's debut is a tender family story about belonging . . . Pawsitive vibes all around.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Maple decides to explore on her own and find out once and for all if she is with the correct pack. . . . Engaging.”  — Booklist

“Maple is the Parker family dog, but outsiders often mistake the husky for a wolf. Eventually even Maple begins to wonder . . . A funny little tale about belonging, regardless of the perception of outsiders . . . Youngsters will giggle at Maple’s misplaced adventure.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

Maple is the Parker family dog, but outsiders often mistake the husky for a wolf. Eventually even Maple begins to wonder . . . A funny little tale about belonging, regardless of the perception of outsiders . . . Youngsters will giggle at Maple’s misplaced adventure.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Maple decides to explore on her own and find out once and for all if she is with the correct pack. . . . Engaging.” 

Booklist

Maple is the Parker family dog, but outsiders often mistake the husky for a wolf. Eventually even Maple begins to wonder . . . A funny little tale about belonging, regardless of the perception of outsiders . . . Youngsters will giggle at Maple’s misplaced adventure.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Maple decides to explore on her own and find out once and for all if she is with the correct pack. . . . Engaging.” 

Booklist

★ 05/01/2020

PreS-Gr 2—Maple is a beautiful black-and-white husky who loves her life with the Parker family. However, when they take her on walks, they are often stopped and asked if Maple is part wolf. Although they always say no, the dog begins to have doubts. Wolves are expert hunters, just like Maple, who readers see proudly sitting on top of a bed with a stuffed dinosaur in her mouth. Wolves like to dig and Maple is an expert digger in the family's flower garden in the backyard. Soon Maple begins to think that she doesn't belong in a house at all but should live in the wild like all the other wolves. Then one day, as luck would have it, the front gate is left open and Maple decides to make a break for the forest. It turns out that being a wolf is a lot harder than this dog expected. Soon Maple tires of the whole thing and makes her way back to her true pack, the Parker family. VERDICT With lovely cadenced phrasing, and a winning heroine, this delightful debut picture book is strongly recommended for purchase.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

School Library Journal

2020-02-09
A beloved pet questions her place in the world.

Maple, the Parkers’ dog, loves her routines: tug of war with Jax, reading with Avery, and extra-long walks with Mom or Dad. She fits right in as the family’s fifth member. But, out in the neighborhood, people question whether Maple truly belongs. Is she a husky or a wolf? Most say wolf. The Parkers try to convince everyone otherwise, but even Maple begins to have her doubts. She looks like a wolf. She hunts like a wolf. She howls like a wolf and digs like a wolf. Maple’s soul-searching eventually leads her to dart off into a nature preserve near the Parkers’ home. But out in the wild, the ground is tougher and the squirrels are harder to catch. Before too long, Maple misses her pack of humans. Will she make it back in time for her evening walk? Kurpiel’s debut is a tender family story about belonging despite appearances. The cartoon illustrations are packed with small details that enhance the story beyond the text (such as the chewed-up stuffed animals that are Maple’s prey). One especially delightful page turn breaks the frame in multiple places with a hilarious super-close-up. The family presents white, and community members are diverse in skin tone. Avery uses an electric wheelchair. The doggy-filled endpapers also depict a wheelchair-using bull terrier.

Pawsitive vibes all around. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews