The Wolf Suit

Gr 2-5–Meet Bellwether Riggwelter, a sheep who loves blackberries, the smell of flowers, and crafting. Bellwether lives in a cozy cabin in the forest, where he keeps his curtains drawn and the door always locked. This forest is home to terrifying wolves, and Bellwether is resolute in his determination to not become dinner. One day, finding himself out of blackberries, Bellwether summons all his courage and enters the forest to collect some more. After a frightening encounter, the sheep devises a clever plan: crafting and donning a wolf costume, allowing him to go about the forest as he pleases. The costume is so convincing that a pack of wolves invite Bellwether to a gathering later that evening. Much to his dismay, Bellwether finds his wolf suit tearing at the seams and is running out of time to fix it. At the gathering, the suit unravels, leaving the sheep completely exposed. The conclusion that follows reveals several surprises, and paves the way for new friendships and growing community. Some spreads are completely wordless, while others include dialogue or minimal narration. This modern folktale emphasizes themes of being yourself and confronting fears, featuring captivating mixed-media illustrations; eagle-eyed readers will notice the palette growing softer and lighter as the story progresses.