Little Wise Wolf by Gijs van der Hammen and Hanneke Siemensma translated by Laura Watkinson

Little Wolf (perhaps he needs to learn about wisdom so I have abbreviated his name) lives on the other side of the mountains. He likes to read big books, experiment with herbs and study the stars. The animals of the forest are in awe of his intelligence and they are sure Little Wolf will be the one to answer their questions but he grumbles at them and tells them all to go away. Then a messenger crow arrives from the king. He has a letter from the king.  Little Wolf would like to say no but after all this is the king and the king is ill so Little Wolf sets off on the long journey to the castle. The road is rough, the mountains are high, his bicycle is useless and then it begins to rain. 

Image Source: Hanneke Siemensma

"Then in the distance he saw a light. And there, deep in the forest, Little Wise Wolf found a tent with a campfire and a pan of soup."

His friends from the forest have been following him. They help Little Wolf continue with his journey but when he does arrive his confidence is gone (and so has his pride). 

"I don't think I can do it. Someone else will have to make the king better."

But he does know what to do. In all that reading he learned about a lot about useful herbs. Little Wolf makes the king some medicine and after a few days the king recovers. Little Wolf knows he only reached the king because his friends helped him. This is the true wisdom he needs to learn and, while he will go on reading those big books, he now knows "I still have a lot to learn ... "

Little Wise wolf is one of those perfect picture books which you can easily share with a young child and also with a group of older students. I would like to say this is a book to add to your library collection but sadly here in Australia it is only available as a very expensive hardcover.

Little Wolf’s journey really feels epic and there are some impressive techniques used by the illustrator to set this scene. Liquid light shines out from the pages that are covered in a rich purple black. You can almost taste the ink on the pages. Association of Illustrators

The original Dutch title of this book is Kleine wijze wolf. 

You can see art by Dutch illustrator Hanneke Siemensma here. Hanneke and Gijs have two children and live in Haarlem in Holland. This is their first book. I love the way the back end paper includes a map of the full journey - there and back - to the castle of the king.

Truly wonderful in all aspects. Kirkus Star review

In this big story disguised as a small one, Gijs van der Hammen deftly explores the value of relationships and the interconnectedness of us all. It highlights for young children the important life lesson that everyone has unique skills and knowledge, so everyone in a community matters --- and we all need the help of others sometimes. Beautifully told and richly illustrated by Hanneke Siemensma, this engaging read-aloud has the timeless appeal of a folktale. It would be an excellent choice to begin conversations about the social studies concept of community and the character education topics of kindness and empathy. Kids Can Press

I would pair this book with Shelter by Celine Claire illustrated by Qin Leng.

If Only ... by Mies van Hout translated by David Colmer

"The child thought, 

If only I were a butterfly.

Then I could fly everywhere."

"The whirligig beetle thought,

If only I were a firefly.

Then I'd never be scared of the dark."

You might like to begin with my previous post about the wonderful Dutch illustrator Mies van Hout.

Which insect would you like to be? Stick insects blend in; bees have lots of friends; ladybugs are adorable; and grasshoppers can jump over things.

If only ... is such a terrific title. So much to talk and think about.  If you love the illustrations of Eric Carle then you are sure to equally love this book. On the final pages, Mies gives her readers a page of instructions on how to make collage art. She also has a double page spread with extra facts about each of the insects found in this book. I didn't know about whirligig beetles - they have this name because they swim in fast circles on the surface of the water.

Publisher blurb Pajama Press: What child has not daydreamed about having wings like a butterfly? But secretly, the flashy butterfly yearns for a stick insect’s privacy. And the stick insect wants to swim like a whirligig beetle.  One after the other, the denizens of bestselling author-illustrator Mies van Hout’s vibrant garden landscape wish to be like somebody else. From the glowing firefly to the capable spider to the adorable ladybugs, each one brings something to be admired. And when the dragonfly wishes to be like a child who can run, play, laugh, and build, a world of possibilities opens up.  A gentle but effective story for social emotional learning, If Only… allows children to reach their own conclusions and acknowledge that while it’s common to compare ourselves to others, it’s best to remember and celebrate what we ourselves can do.

If you speak Dutch here is a video where Mies talks about her book. The Dutch title is Was ik maar... You can see the ants from this book - I think they are terrific.

This new book (published 2021) is quite expensive here in Australia but if you have a little money I highly recommend adding this book to the collection of a preschool or primary school library. Here is a very detailed teacher guide from Pajama Press (Canada).

This gentle celebration of differences also promotes an appreciation of others’ strengths and quietly emphasises relationships within the animal kingdom. Kirkus

A visual delight, this picture book offers openings for conversation about wishes, predictions, and one’s own enviable strengths. School Library Journal

Other reviewers use words such as luminous, radiant, vivid and thought-provoking.

It seems obvious to pair this book with the books of Eric Carle and other illustrators who use collage but another possibility for a book to read along side If Only could be this very old book about being happy with who you are - The Mouse with the too long tail. Sadly this book, which I adore, is long out of print but you might find a copy in a library.  

One more thing - here is the bee page - it is scrumptious.

Mies van Hout illustrator

 

I grew up in a village in the south of Holland called Hapert. My father always told us stories. When he was telling we were all sitting around him. I also liked reading, but most of the time I was drawing. When I was very young I knew that I wanted to become a drawer. And I didn't know what to do otherwise. Goodreads

Mies van Hout is an illustrator and creator of picture books from the Netherlands. To date, she has illustrated more than 100 children’s books. She has won the Dutch Children’s Bookshops Prize on two occasions and has been awarded a Flag and Pennant by the Golden Paintbrush Jury. About twenty of her books are available in English. Take a look at this gallery of her work.

It is impossible for me to name one favourite illustrator but Mies van Hout would certainly be on my list. One of her books that I especially love is her Nursery Rhyme collection entitled Pussycat, Pussycat. Every page is just delightful. This book would be a very special gift for a new baby. The Dutch title of this book is Poseje Mauw.

On this page the rhyme says: "Baby bird asleep in the nest, Mother will keep you warm. Head tucked under feathery wings, Mother will keep you from harm."

I'm sure you recognise this is Baa Baa Black Sheep:

Mies has a series of books featuring emotions. In each of these books the black pages contain animals and fanciful monsters alongside one seemingly simply word but there is nothing simple here. Taking a look at the book Surprise.  Inside you will find wonderful illustrations exploring words such as yearning, hoping, expecting, marvelling, caring, comforting, cherishing and encouraging.  Here are a set of teaching ideas to use in a preschool. 

Here are some pages from Surprise which is titled Verrassing in Dutch. I found a video where Mies draws her page 'marvelling'.  The word on this page is 'enjoying'. If you can read Dutch, Meis shares art ideas on her web page.

Here are some review comments about books by Mies:

Kirkus on Happy: The line, colour, and texture make each page a pleasure to return to, and each single word is fully expressed in its corresponding picture. Along with the azure-and–sky-blue ovoid fish at the end, readers will pronounce themselves, in yellow, white and green letters, “delighted.”

Kirkus on Friends: With only a dozen or so words and spectacular images, van Hout captures the landscape of friendship for toddlers through teens and beyond.

Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast on Happy: Mies van Hout’s Happy is a tour de force of underwater awesomeness and emotion, showcasing what an artist can do with a few pastels, black paper and something fundamental to express. I want to hug it and buy a copy for every shorty on my list.

Happy, which contains 22 fish, is titled Vrolijk in Dutch. Just to show the the reach of her work this book is available in German, Italian, French, English, Japanese, Korean, South African, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese. 

Here is one of her newest books published in 2021.

I Feel a Foot! by Maranke Rinck and Martijn van der Linden

Turtle, Bat, Octopus, Bird and Goat are confronted with a huge creature. Each describe this monster from their own point of view. Turtle can feel a foot "just like my foot, but super big". Bat can feel a wing "just like my wing, but super big." Octopus is sure she is touching a tentacle, but extra super big. Birds find an extra superduper big beak and goat is sure the creature has a goatee which is "fantastically, amazingly extra superduper big."

What is the creature? Can you guess? What a shame I didn't discover this book last year. It links so perfectly with the 2020 CBCA slogan - Curious Creatures Wild Minds. I feel a foot was published in 2008 but an English translation in paperback was published in 2019. I was excited to read the publisher has plans to produce this book in a tactile format for blind children.

In this retelling of the familiar Sufi tale, a group of small animals meets a big new friend, one body part at a time. Kirkus Star review

I feel a foot was originally published in The Netherlands with the title Ik voel een voet! Take a look here at other books illustrated by Martijn van der Linden. Maranke Rinck is his wife. This is a book with wonderful illustrations which will inspire your school art teacher.

I would link I Feel a Foot with these:

Little Nelly's Big Book

Tiger by Jan Jutte

What would YOU do if you met a huge tiger in the woods near your house?  When Josephine met a tiger on her walk "she froze" which was probably a good reaction because this huge creature does not attack her instead he "circle around her and snorted heavily. He rubbed against Josephine's arm."

As Josephine begins to stoke Tiger, he purrs. Josephine invites Tiger back to her house and she feeds him some leftovers. Tiger seems happy in her the house. Josephine decides to take him shopping but first she ties a scarf around his neck because she knows the people in the town will be scared of him. Over time the people, though, become used to seeing Josephine and her tiger He even goes to school for show and tell but one night Josephine notices his stripes are fading. 

The doctor tells Josephine Tiger needs to return to his homeland. Josephine is so sad but she buys two tickets and the pair climb aboard a luxury ocean liner. 

"Josephine never mentioned their goodbyes. It must have been to sad."

Josephine takes the long journey home - alone. The seasons match her mood. The sky is grey and rain is falling in the town. Then down an alleyway she spies a new friend!

Tiger would be a delightful book to read to a Kindergarten or Grade One class. You could use it as a springboard to talk about habitat, wild animals, acceptance and the ways to treat new friends. Tiger was first published in The Netherlands under the title Tijger. 

This book reminded me of a very old favourite of mine - Elizabeth and Larry by Marilyn Sadler.