Big Wolf and Little Wolf, The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall [Hardcover]

Nadine Brun-Cosme (Author), Olivier Tallec (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Join Big Wolf and Little Wolf as they move through the seasons and share an adventure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Starred review Kirkus Reviews

Best Book of the Year, 2009, Kirkus Reviews

"[...]a story that will stay with its young readers, presenting the perfect union between text and image to appeal to growing minds." - The Midwest Book Review

"With young children's natural curiosity about leaves, changing colors, and seasons, as well as curriculum that cover these topics, this will be a valuable addition to classrooms and libraries as well as a beautiful browsing and read-aloud book. Recommended." - Library Media Connection

"Oliver Tallec's gorgeous pastel pictures (with the wolves wearing mittens and hats this time - way too cute) compliment this lyrical story to perfection. It's direct and obvious on one level but also elegant and deep on another. Simply put there is no talking down to the reader and I think a lot of kids will appreciate that a lot, just as much as they will getting to know these two characters a little better." - Colleen Mondor, Chasing Ray

"Highly Recommended." - Tucson Unified School District

"Highly recommended, this series has its own unique feel and style. These are quiet books, filled with natural beauty and deep connections." - Tasha Saecker, Kids Lit

"Destined to become a classic, Big Wolf and Little Wolf: The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall reminds us all that the most wonderful riches are often right in front of us." - Niki Masse Schoenfeldt, curled up with a good kid's book

About the Author

Nadine Brun-Cosme is the author of nearly 20 popular novels and picture books for children. She lives in France. Her two Big Wolf and Little Wolf books have sold 50,000 copies worldwide. Olivier Tallec was born in Brittany in 1970. After graduating from the Ecole Supérieure d'Art graphique in Paris he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has done numerous illustrations for newspapers and magazines and has illustrated over 50 books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592700888
• ISBN-13: 978-1592700882
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from www.firrkids.com, December 9, 2009

By 

www.firrkids.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Wolf and Little Wolf, The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall (Hardcover)

When Big Wolf & Little Wolf was published last year, I was blown away by both the story and the illustrations. It was quite simply a very magical, beautiful book from start to finish. While I was terribly excited to discover there was a sequel written about those very same wolves, I was also a bit apprehensive that it would not live up to the initial book. I can now say this one is every bit as exquisite as the first. Same sweet wolves, more spellbinding illustrations, plus a brand new tale. Win, win, win for the readers!!

The two wolf friends are enjoying a warm spring day together when Little Wolf spies the most perfect sweet green leaf high up on their tree. He asks Big Wolf to fetch it for him, but Big Wolf replies that he should be patient and wait for the leaf to fall. Summer and fall arrive in turn, and still Big Wolf asks his smaller companion for patience.


It isn't until the winter winds bluster in, that Big Wolf suddenly announces, for no reason at all "I'm going up!" As good as his word, he climbs straight up into the heart of that big tree. The snow and ice make for a terribly slippery ascent, but he knows that leaf is meant for Little Wolf and he is determined to retrieve it. Far down on the ground, Little Wolf is rooted to the ground, wide-eyed and and feeling bit regretful he has asked for so much.

Little Wolf does not say a word until Big Wolf has both feet safely on the ground. And only then does he tell his friend what a beautiful thing he had done. Both wolves smile and tuck in (with appropriately sized fluffy white pillows and blankets) for the night. It is wonderful to see the great lengths one true friend will go for another.

The loveliness of the images are easy to prove, as you can see by the photos above. As for the perfect phrasing, I have chosen a few of my favorites to give you a feel for the writing: "He said it just like that, for no reason at all. Just to see Little Wolf's eyes sparkle." I also love "Little Wolf looked up into this rain of gentle stars." Sadly, presenting fragments is not as compelling as reading this tale in its entirety and you don't get a true sense of the magic.

I can confidently say that this book is as much of a must-read as the first. If you are not familiar with these wolves, I really think you are missing out on something special. Both books make my list of absolute favorites!

5.0 out of 5 stars This heartwarming story of friendship and the little things that make "special" it will delight the reader!, January 13, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Wolf and Little Wolf, The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall (Hardcover)

It was springtime and Big Wolf was running around with his butterfly net trying to catch a couple of them flitting overhead. Little Wolf had his eye on something else altogether. He had spotted a "sweet and tender green" leaf way up in a tree and wanted nothing better than to nibble on it. Big Wolf just shrugged off his request to go get it saying that, "Eventually it will fall." By the time summertime rolled around Big Wolf had his badminton racket in hand, but his little friend was still staring at the tree. The leaf was soooo shiny that he thought it would make the perfect mirror. "Eventually it will fall." Yes, but it was still up high in that tree.

By autumn many of the leaves were falling and Big Wolf was busy raking them up and putting them in his wheelbarrow. The leaves were turning and the one Little Wolf had his eye on was "such a soft brown" that he soooo wanted to "rest his cheek against it." Big Wolf repeated himself and said that it would soon fall. His little friend continued to look longingly up at that special leaf, but the snowflakes fell before his leaf. The friends sat beneath the tree holding their marshmallow sticks over a bonfire. That little leaf meant a lot to Little Wolf, but he no longer talked about it. Was that special leaf ever going to fall to the ground or would something convince Big Wolf that he had to climb and bring it down?

This heartwarming story of friendship and the little things that make "special" it will delight the reader. The simple artwork has numerous touches that accentuate this little friendship, especially when they sit on little matching logs toasting their marshmallows. This is one of those types of stories that will appeal to young and old alike. This would be an excellent read and discuss book for story or circle time in a homeschool or classroom setting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very appropriate for age 4 and up, November 21, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Wolf and Little Wolf, The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall (Hardcover)

"Big Wolf & Little Wolf: The Little Leaf That Wouldn't Fall" is a sensitive, beautifully illustrated children's book that uses pure poetry and delicate imagery to convey a difficult concept, the human longing to experience the sublime. Little Wolf sees a leaf that will not fall from its tree, and he longs for the leaf, to see, touch, and taste it. Big Wolf counsels patience, telling Little Wolf the leaf will fall in time. When winter comes, with big thick, fluffy snowflakes, the little leaf still does not fall. Finally Big Wolf decides to climb the impossible tree to get the leaf "just to see Little Wolf's eyes sparkle." After many risks and dangerous moments, big Wolf is able to reach the leaf, which disintegrates at his touch and falls towards Little Wolf as a "rain of gentle stars." Finally Little Wolf is able to touch the piece of the leaf, to taste its sweetness, feel its gentleness, and see its brightness. In these fleeting experiences, obtained at great risk and hazard by Big Wolf, Little Wolf is able to appreciate and experience beauty. "Big Wolf & Little Wolf" is a story that will stay with its young readers, presenting the perfect union between text and image to appeal to growing minds. Very appropriate for age 4 and up.