Wiener Wolf

PreS-Gr 2—Wiener Dog, a sweater-wearing lap dog who lives with Granny, feels that something is missing in his prosaic lifestyle. He is losing the wag in his tail and he doesn't know what he yearns for until he sees some wolves on TV. He hitches a ride with some campers headed for the wilderness where he meets some fearsome wolves that sense the shared DNA and permit him to run with the pack. Wiener Dog quickly sheds his sweater and transforms into the brave and daring Wiener Wolf. He proudly answers the call of the wild until he witnesses the predators' fierce hunt. He then realizes that he is just Wiener Dog and that he belongs at home with Granny. After his return, he satisfies his quest for adventure in the park, where he runs with a domestic pack. Readers will enjoy Crosby's soft, acrylic illustrations that portray the wolves in a wild, realistic way while Wiener Dog is full of human emotion. Each page is rich with details and gives readers much to explore. The minimal text perfectly complements each illustration, which makes this book a good choice for early readers. Some young listeners may find the illustrations of the wolves a bit frightening, but dog lovers will especially adore Wiener Wolf.—Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT