Howling Hill [Library Binding]

Will Hobbs (Author), Jill Kastner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Hanni the wolf pup has never been alone before, and now she's lost in the wilderness. She's too little and scared even to cry out for help! But Hanni soon learns to trust the world outside and the wolf inside--and finally discovers a howl within, long a deep, that brings her family to the rescue. From an award-winning novelist comes this thrilling picture-book tale, illustrated with dynamic paintings that capture the dramatic landscape of the far north.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hobbs delivered a wintertime survival tale in his YA novel Far North; here he brings that same type of suspenseful adventure to picture book format. His protagonist this time, however, is no adolescent but a wolf pup. Somewhat anthropomorphizing his characters, Hobbs sets up a problem for Hanni straightaway: a la Eric Carle's The Very Quiet Cricket, she can't howl ("Don't worry," her mother tells her. "It's inside of you...somewhere deep inside."). Then mishap overtakes her. While playing on a log in the river, Hanni is separated from her family and swept fast away. She plunges bravely into the water (and discovers she can swim) just before reaching a deadly waterfall. A bear drifting in and out of hibernation helps her most of the way home; returning to the apparently deserted Howling Hill, Hanni finally finds her voice and howls for the first time and thus summons the pack. The coming-of-age theme overloads the story a bit, but the tension stays strong. Kastner, previously paired with Hobbs for Beardream, contributes exciting, motion-filled oils. Rendered in broad, blurry strokes, her wolves and bears are realistic, with only some subtle posing to give Hanni the occasional childlike attitude. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This fresh adventure story introduces some new elements to the ever-popular theme of losing and finding home. Here, a wolf cub and a sleepy brown bear play out the drama in Canada's vast Northwest Territories. Little Hanni (named for the Nahanni River) is frightened when she is separated from her pack during an outing. She is, however, a survivor, and on her journey home she learns some valuable lessons. She finds out that she can swim when she is forced to jump into the river just before the log she is riding goes over the falls. Next, she meets a large bear that brings her close to home and teaches her to use her sense of smell to guide her the rest of the way. When she finally reaches Howling Hill and is reunited with her family, she discovers that her wish has come true-she has grown up enough to howl and can join the pack in song. In the text, the water of Howling Hill is described as "hot" and "stinky;" unfortunately, no explanation is given for this and children will wonder why. The full-color oil paintings laid out in double-paged spreads give some idea of the grandeur of the area and its wildness. The details of the wolves' activities invite close inspection. The last illustration dramatically shows the animals howling into a blood-red dawn.
Virginia Golodetz, Children's Literature New England, Burlington, VT
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688154301
• ISBN-13: 978-0688154301
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,026,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and inspirational, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Howling Hill (Hardcover)

My son first brought this book home on one of his weekly trips to the library at his preschool. It has quickly become one of our favorites for it's heartwarming story and wonderful illustrations. This book tells the story of how a lost wolf pup is befriended by a hibernating bear who, in turn, helps the pup find his way home. The illustrations are warm and striking and the story is a wonderful tale of how two creatures can help out one another in the darkest of circumstances. I can see how this book would be a favorite for children of all ages.