Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions: A Tale of Being True to Your Tummy
Claudine Crangle, Author and Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Sep. 28, 2014
Suitable for Ages: 4-7
Themes: Animals, Sheep, Food Intolerance
Opening: “Most sheep will eat almost anything they come across… whether it’s good for them or not.”
Synopsis: Woolfred is born with a delicate system. He can’t eat dandelions. It isn’t fair – the other sheep can eat whatever they want. Beautiful yellow clumps of dandelions grow everywhere and tempt him as he grazes. Finally he chews a mouthful of dandelions. They are so delicious until …Gaaaaglewaaaglelewush!
Why I like this book:
- Claudine Crangle has written an engaging story about a daring young sheep who knows he can’t eat dandelions, but wants to taste them in the worst way. Sound familiar?
- This is one of a few picture books I’ve seen for children who have a food intolerance to products like milk, gluten, eggs, fructose and yeast. This is not a book about food allergies that may be life threatening. It is a book about learning to cope with a food intolerance and still lead a normal and active life.
- The plot is humorous. Does Woolfred learn his lesson after he tries the dandelions the first time? No! He tries eating the different parts of the dandelion and has the same tummy reaction each time. The narrative is funny and the text is simple and silly.
- Children with food intolerance issues will certainly identify with Woolfred. Like Woolfred, they want to eat the same foods their friends eat at school, birthday parties and outings. Like Woolfred, they don’t want to feel deprived, different or lonely.
- I love Crangle’s takeaway message for children. While Woolfred focuses on what’s missing, he’s not seeing the good things in his life.
- Crangle’s illustrations are in bright and colorful spring colors. They are expressive, warm and endearing. Crangle’s process is quite unusual. She begins with “an idea cut out of paper with a knife. Designs are translated through the printmaking process and evolve with each proof. They are done by hand without any computer manipulation.”
Resources: The book is a resource for parents, caregivers and children. Children with a food intolerance will have fun discussing Woolfred’s antics and comparing them to their own situation. At the end of the story Woolfred begins to think about the other sheep and shares how his friends have differences: Dank rolls in bad smells. Lana sneezes when she’s near clover. Marino is terrified of bees. Bert likes to scratch his bottom on the ground. This would be a fun family activity to discuss how everyone is different. Visit Claudine Crangle at her website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
What a cute idea! Lots of kids would enjoy this different-feeling sheep. He reminds me a little of Cupcake who wants to eat EVERYTHING – whether it’s edible or not! 🙂
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It is such a clever idea for a book and told as a story — not preachy. The illustrations are really fun!
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I don’t think enough is understood about food intolerance or what causes it. Great resource.
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Thanks Niamh. I was excited with the theme of this book. I haven’t seen a picture book about food intolerance. It is written with humor. And, it is a great resource for parents.
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What a great preview inside the book at the Magination Press website! Wonderful illustrations and a nice message.
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I love the illustrations in this story. They are lovely and very funny. Kids who are food intolerant will love it!
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This is a great resource for parents and a great way to introduce food intolerances to kids. I think all kids will like this book since it talks about unfairness and differences. all kids feels like they are on outside sometimes.
Thanks for recommending this book to us, Patricia! It will be a really valuable addition to any library. 🙂
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Yes, it is a book any child can read. But it is a great resource for parents. And, it’s a very funny story about Woolfred learning the hard way and forgetting there is more to life than not being able to eat certain foods.
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What a cute idea to get the message across. It sounds hilarious.
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Yes, it is a very cute way to get a message across. The illustrations will makes kids laugh out loud.
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Our library doesn’t have this one, but I plan to share this post on FB with friends. Sadly lots of friends with food intolerances. Thanks for another great recommendation.
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A lot of people have a food intolerance, but don’t talk about it. This is a very humorous story for kids with a great message.
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I agree with everyone and you, Pat: it is a terrific and fun way to get a message about food intolerance to kids (and adults)! Humor is always the best way to teach about an issue. 🙂 Have a terrific weekend!
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Thank you Teresa. I’m pleased you enjoyed the book review. It is a great book.
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This looks wonderful! I really really like the cover illustration. I’m one of those people who tend to judge books by their covers (probably not the best method, but it is what it is). Anyway judging by this book’s cover it looks lovable and entertaining. I will definitely put it on my to-read list.
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Yes, a cover definitely influences book selection. I love the cover and illustrations because they add so much humor to the story. Many kids will identify with Woolfred.
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Oh, Pat, you got me chuckling. A great (serious) topic and the fun language (“Bert scratches his bottom on the ground!”). Looks wonderful.
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Yes, I loved the fun language. Perfect way to talk about an important health issue with kids. I loved Woolfred! So will kids.
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What a terrific way to talk about food intolerances and I just love the list of differences at the end. Great find and there are very few picture books addressing this. Thank you.
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That’s why I was so happy to find this book because there are few books on the subject for kids. And, books written with such humor. The illustrations are spectacular. I can only imagine kids predicting what’s going to happen next to Woolfred.
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What a clever idea. When so many children today suffer from food allergies, this will be a hit. Thanks for suggesting it.
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Yes, I thought it was a very clever idea with so many children and adults with a food intolerance issue. So it was fun to read this very humorous story.
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Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions looks like a book for us! I love the cover. The illustrations look fantastic. My poor son cannot have dairy and at first it was hard on him — but now he voluntarily declines it without a fuss. It will be nice to see that he isn’t the only one — because I’m sure sometimes he feels like he is. I have requested that my library purchase this book. I’m sure there are plenty of parents interested in a picture book like this one!
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I would think many parents would love to use this book with their kids. They can see themselves in Woolfred — and laugh!
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I would like to share this website that is providing books for children who are truly in need of healing. Picture Books Pass it On:
https://michelleeastmanbooks.wordpress.com/
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Thank you for sharing! I know many authors who are donating their books to organizations like this. There are too many children who don’t own their very own book.
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What a delightful way to get the topic of food allergies into a book! Poor Woolfred (love his name :)) – I’m sure lots of children can relate to his troubles. We don’t have a lot of books on our list that address food allergies, especially not in such a palatable way, so I’m very glad you’re adding this one to our list! Thanks, Pat 🙂
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Thanks Susanna! I was delighted to find this book on food intolerance, since it is a problem for children (and adults)! It is done with such humor! I loved the text and illustrations.
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Patricia – I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your kind review of Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions … and reading the comments that follow has made my day. It has been a dream come true to reach out to kids growing up just like I did. Thank you so much for your support!!
Claudine
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Thank you Claudine for visiting. I’m pleased you enjoyed the review and the comments from readers. They really enjoyed your book. It is a much needed book for children who won’t feel so alone. And you told the story with so such humor!
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This sounds like a book with an important topic, put into a creative way. 🙂
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Great to know about this book. I will keep it in mind for the various parents of young children I know. Great blog too–and thanks for visiting Wing’s World!
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I’m glad you enjoyed Woolfred’s story. Definitely a story many children and adults will find amusing and helpful. Thanks for visiting.
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