The Girl and the Wolf - by Katherena Vermette (Hardcover)

About the Book

This picture book for young children is an empowering Indigenous twist on a classic wolf narrative.

Book Synopsis

While picking berries with her mother, a little girl wanders too far into the woods. When she realizes she is lost, she begins to panic. A large grey wolf makes a sudden appearance between some distant trees. Using his sense of smell, he determines where she came from and decides to help her. Through a series of questions from the wolf, the little girl realizes she had the knowledge and skill to navigate herself--she just needed to remember that those abilities were there all along.

Review Quotes

"There is much that can be taught through this young children's picture book. Many subtle teachings exist within this beautifully written and illustrated story. The Girl and the Wolf would make for an excellent read-aloud in a classroom, library, or home setting. Highly Recomended.-- "CM Reviews"

"The Girl and The Wolf is an absolute masterwork by best-selling author Katherena Vermette and master artist Julie Flett. It reminds us we are more powerful than we realize in times of panic and, at the same time, it places the responsibility of survival on ourselves. It also reminds us that there are helpers to get you home in forms you may not recognize at first: a wolf with meat on its breath or birds who remember your way home. I love this book and I think about it every day."-- "Richard Van Camp, award-winning author of Little You"

★ "It's got a worthy message for any reader to enjoy, and Indigenous and First Nations readers will especially connect with characters who nourish traditional ways of knowing while existing in an active, contemporary present. A tale about knowledge, power, and trust that reminds readers we used to speak with animals and still do--it already feels like a classic."-- "Kirkus Reviews, starred review"

"This is an intrinsically Canadian picture book that is sure to resonate with children, both in this country and beyond...Vermette, an innate storyteller who was chosen her words--not too many and not too few--perfectly. Dialogue is sparse yet totally apt, lending depth to the story. Highly recommended."-- "BC Bookworld"

"What I like about this story so much is the way the wolf and girl demonstrate techniques for calming down to solve problems…The wolf also sets an example for parents; rather than solving the girl's problem for her, he provides support and assurance while encouraging her to apply her knowledge to a given situation."-- "Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk blog"