I Am the Wolf... and Here I Come!

Can the Big Bad Wolf really be that scary after you’ve seen him in boxer shorts with pink hearts? In bold, bright paintings, French artist Guettier shows the wolf getting dressed; the book’s vertically oriented format lets the wolf’s body fill the pages as he narrates the process (“I am putting on my trousers. I am putting on my red top”). The gentle narration and the wolf’s semi-clothed state create a sense of security, which makes the book’s last-page twist (“I’m putting on my great big coat and... I’m coming to get you!” he shouts, fangs bared, tongue lolling) hit its mark perfectly, delivering a just-scary-enough jolt to surprise and delight. Ages 2–up. (Apr.)