The Wolf and Fly

One gulp, another gulp and another: one toy after the next disappears into the mouth of the hungry wolf. Now he’s almost full, just a last little fly for dessert—uh-oh! The Wolf and the Flyis both story and guessing game to play again and again. Each object on the shelf is brought to life then, when everything that’s been swallowed re-emerges, the game starts anew. This is an original and delightful guessing, memory, observation and naming game from award-winning author and illustrator Antje Damm, whose The Visitorwas a New York Times Illustrated Book of the Year.

“"Kids will enjoy this test of their powers of observation in this German import via New Zealand, but caregivers may cringe at the devil-may-care approach to choking hazards. Author/illustrator Damm's The Visitor earned her a Best Illustrated Book nod from the New York Times in 2018. This book, unfortunately, though playful in intent, is muddled. The artwork is wonderful--the protagonist, a hungry little wolf, has an abundance of personality, and he stands out against the bright, monochromatic backgrounds. Each facing page features three shelves of his 'toys,' as they're described on the back of the book. They include a duck, an apple, a fish, a cactus, a car, a fly, a bird, and a cat. The wolf, 'feeling a bit peckish today,' eats one unspecified item at a time. With each turn of the page, young readers are challenged to identify which item is missing, and they will likely squeal with delight as they do. Caregivers who've had to yell, 'Don't put that in your mouth!' or wrestle a choking hazard from the jaws of a toddler may be less amused. If this sparks a 'Can you really eat that?' conversation, perhaps that's all to the good. Kids will also enjoy a bit of potty humor--all that eating occasions a quick trip to the bathroom--and a climactic puke scene, as the titular housefly proves one morsel too many. Hard to swallow."--Kirkus Reviews”

There’s a great (and rather disgusting) surprise at the end which is bound to raise laughter. A modern version of the Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, this is a great board book for sharing with children who love a good laugh.

Damm has created a clever interactive puzzle book that combines a story and guessing, memory, observation, and naming game in which one toy after another disappears. An ideal book for parents to share and enjoy with toddlers as they guess which objects on the shelf will be eaten next.

A nifty board book that is both a story and a memory game.

This book ticks all the boxes for me: age appropriate, funny and expressive, hidden clues, interactivity, suspense, a greedy protagonist, a tiny bit gross and the design feels spot on.

"With each turn of the page, young readers are challenged to identify which item is missing, and they will likely squeal with delight as they do."

Antje Damm is a celebrated children’s writer and illustrator. Born in 1965 in Wiesbaden, Germany, she now lives with her husband and four children near Giessen. She has worked as an architect and has written and illustrated over a dozen books for children.

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