The Grand Wolf
Avril McDonald, Author
Tatiana Minina, Illustrator
Crown House Publishing Limited, Fiction, Apr. 26, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 4-7
Themes: Animals, Wolf, Death, Dealing with Grief, Accepting Change, Friendship
Opening: “Once in a while, / on a clear sunny day, / Wolfgang would go / to the Grand Wolf’s to play.”
Synopsis: Wolfgang and his friends enjoyed visiting the Grand Wolf. Grand Wolf always had fresh bread baking in his house and toys in his shed. He’d take Wolfgang on long walks and show him things in the forest. But one day when Wolfgang and his friends went for their visit, they sensed something was wrong. The Wise Owl tells them that Grand Wolf has died. At first they are angry and don’t believe Owl. Spider helps them deal with their grief and reminds them Grand Wolf will always be in their hearts and memories.
Why I like this book:
I am in awe of Avril McDonald’s tender and wise book about dealing with grief. The lovely rhythmic language and the beautiful illustrations blend perfectly to explore the emotional journey of love and loss, breaking your heart and then helping it to heal. The book is so well written and talks about death in such a way that is perfect for children. Wolfgang and his friends express their disbelief and anger and share their tears as Wise Owl and Spider support them, help them deal with this major change in their lives and remind them that just because someone is gone doesn’t mean they have left your heart. Tatiana Minina’s colorful, bold and expressive illustrations really contribute to the book’s message.
The Grand Wolf is part of McDonald’s Feel Brave Series of books which are designed to help children deal with real life situations, manage tough emotions and reach their potential. Each book tells a story about a real life situation that children may face and offers simple coping strategies. Each of the five books helps children deal with self-confidence, anxiety and fears, change, grief, loss, worries and bullying. Follow Avril McDonald on her Feel Brave website.
Resources: This book is a great discussion book and resource for families and educators to use to talk about death with young children. It is a helpful book for a family dealing with grief, approaching grief or separation. There is also a Feel Brave Teaching Guide available along with a CD.
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.
Children's Books Heal 
This sounds like a perfect book for children who have lost, or fear losing, a grandparent or other older relative/friend. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked my choice. I love to share really good grief books for children. It’s always good to have one good book on hand in the event a child deals with a loss of a pet, friend, sibling, parent or grandparent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole Feel Brave series looks great. I don’t come across books about loss very often. This looks good.
LikeLike
I am delighted with the Feel Brave series, addressing different worries, fears and issues like bullying. Grief books is one of the most searched item on my website.
LikeLike
That cover is priceless, so packed with emotion. I am always on the lookout for picture books dealing with this theme. Thank you, Pat, this looks like a great resource and read.
LikeLike
Yes, I loved the cover! It is another great go-to PB for children, parents and educators.
LikeLike
This book sounds wonderful and such a sensitive way to deal with a difficult topic.
LikeLike
It is a sensitive approach and very age appropriate. And the colorful illustrations signal hope.
LikeLike
I’m always interested in reading books with challenging themes. It takes a skillful writer to deliver such information with a sensitive hand.
LikeLike
Yes, and Avril does have a passion for writing important books for parents/educators to share with children dealing with grief.
LikeLike
I need to find this book. It sounds very interesting and I agree that finding ones done with a “sensitive hand” are worth their weight in gold.
LikeLike
I’m thrilled you enjoyed The Grand Wolf. All of her Feel Brave books are available.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful series. I love the cover of The Grand Wolf. I find it interesting that the author chose wolves as the grieving animals. Usually, they’re portrayed as the “tough” guys.
LikeLike
There are other grieving animals in the story, too. Perhaps she’ll answer your question.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t see many books that help kids deal with grief and this book (and the whole series) sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I’m pleased you enjoyed The Grand Wolf and the other titles in the series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a nice way to help a child through something difficult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parents are always looking for great books to help them deal with grief. Glad you liked THE GRAND WOLF.
LikeLike
This sounds like a lovely book with a good message. Thanks for telling me about it. I will check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does have a good message, which is handled with sensitivity.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Doug Johnson and commented:
Very good.
LikeLike
Thank you Doug. I appreciate your sharing this wonderful story for kids.
LikeLike
This is a very cute looking book that deals with a very big universal theme. I think kids will gain comfort from a lovely book like this. Great find Pat and lovely post.
LikeLike
Thanks Diane. It is a great story for young children. I think you’d enjoy the other books Avril wrote in 2016 under the FEEL BRAVE series.
LikeLike
This sounds like a very well-done book to help deal with grief.
LikeLike
Yes, I was delighted to share this sensitive grief book! Glad you like it!
LikeLike
Just found you today, following you for more. This is very informative review of a book I shall now be getting, to aid my work with children through counselling. I like how you have said the author is sensitive on telling the story, as we need to be with children and grief. Stephen
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. Avril McDonald has written a wonderful series of Feel Brave books for children. Wonderful stories that are healing for children. They are picture books and cover a variety of subjects that parents, teachers, counselors and therapists find helpful. Beautifully illustrated.
LikeLiked by 1 person