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Summary
Summary
When Manny Wolf sees an ad in the paper announcing "Wolf Wanted" he responds right away, only to realize the company is looking for a real wolf. Luckily for Manny, so many wolves respond to the ad that he is hired to answer all the letters. As Manny reads between the lines of the wolves' letters, with their glowing descriptions of themselves, he realizes that all the applicants are famous fictional wolves! Finding no suitable candidates, Manny finally rewrites the ad, clarifying that a real wolf is needed so that a documentary can be made to show people what real wolves are like and how different they are from their big, bad fictional counterparts. Mixing fantasy and reality with zany illustrations, this hilarious story highlights the very serious risk of the extinction of wolves worldwide.
Author Notes
Ana Maria Machado is one of the world's most distinguished writers for children, with over one hundred books published in her native Brazil and in more than eighteen other countries. She has won the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the SM Iberoamerican Children's Literature Award, and she has been elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters -- the first writer for children to be so honored. She has also been chosen for the honor list of the highly prestigious Dutch Prince Claus Award. Groundwood has published three of her novels, Me in the Middle (Américas Award Commended List), From Another World and Until the Day Arrives, and her picture books Wolf Wanted, which won the FNLIJ Hors Concours, and What a Party! Ana Maria lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Laurent Cardon works as a storyboarder and teaches film. He has illustrated many books, winning the Hors Concours (FNLIJ) twice. He lives in Sao Paulo.Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Combining the wildly disparate themes of job hunting and wolves, Hans Christian Andersen Medalist Machado (From Another World) and Cardon, in his U.S. debut, follow Manny Wolf (a human with the last name Wolf) as he responds to a pile of applications for a job opening for a wolf. In sly, postmodern scenes that recall the work of Emily Gravett, Cardon creates cover letters (as well as Manny's rejection letters) using notebook paper, unsteady handwriting, and human resources stationery. "I am a very famous wolf," the first application starts. "I have lots of experience convincing people to do what I want, especially small girls walking through the woods by themselves who have sick people waiting for them at home." Beside the letter, a dozen Red Riding Hoods mob a wolf rock star, who croons into a mike. Letters follow from numerous literary wolves, from "The Three Little Pigs" to The Jungle Book to the fables of Jean de La Fontaine. Children won't recognize them all-some will stump adults-which may make for a frustrating reading experience. An environmentally conscious conclusion, while informative, strikes a disconcertingly serious note. Ages 4-7. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
When a newspaper posts "Wolf Wanted," applications pour in from many familiar wolves, including Little Red's and Peter's. However, none of the applicants fits the unclear position until the advertisement is revised, calling for "A Real Wolf." This leads to a final spread about wolves around the world. The result is an awkward juxtaposition of fact and fiction. Comical illustrations buoy the confusing story. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Manny Wolf, a man who looks a bit wolflike, takes a job screening employment applications from wolves for a company seeking to hire them. He sends replies to letters that say things like: I CAN HUFF, I CAN PUFF, AND I CAN BLOW ANY HOUSE DOWN. Children who know their folktales will understand why this applicant was turned down. References are also made to wolves in Little Red Riding Hood, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, the fables of both Aesop and LaFontaine, Peter and the Wolf, etc. The story's understated wit is magnified to high comedy in Cardon's dramatic, mixed-media illustrations. The final pages provide information and photos related to 10 actual Wolves and Their Relatives around the world. Machado, a Brazilian writer of more than 100 books, received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2000. This picture book is a welcome addition to the short list of her titles available in English in the U.S.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-With its appealing illustrations and clever premise, this book puts a different twist on the notion of job hunting. When a classified ad appears in the newspaper for "a good-looking adult" wolf, Manny Wolf-a human-applies for the position. Many applicants respond to the ad, and Manny is hired to read through their letters and to reply. Thus begins his correspondence with famous and infamous wolves from folktales, myths, and fairy tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Little Pigs," "Peter and the Wolf," and even the female that raised Romulus and Remus. The illustrator depicts letters from those characters and Manny's written responses; the narrator then explains in which stories the wolves appear. It turns out that the original newspaper ad wasn't explicit enough. What was needed was "an animal who can't read and doesn't appear in a book," so that a documentary about endangered species can be compiled. The story ends with a spread of information on "Wolves and Their Relatives" and a map of the world showing the animals' range. The accomplished illustrations are entertaining and full of energy and differing perspectives. Older children familiar with the tales and able to handle the lengthy text will enjoy the book, and teachers might find it useful for creative-writing classes.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Manny Wolf is looking for a job. When he spies an ad in the paper that reads, "Wolf Wanted," it seems perfect. But alas, they are looking for a real wolf, not a human with a convenient last name. However, the company has so many applicants that they need someone to go through all of the letters. Manny is hired. As each letter unfolds, Manny begins to recognize familiar canine friends. Readers will delight in guessing which wolf, from several popular stories and fables, has applied for the job. The first few are simple; one unknown wolf boasts about huffing and puffing. But several letters in, the wolves get more obscure. One even has a reference from St. Francis of Assisi! Cardon's wolves are sly, with sharp teeth and long pointy snouts. Even Manny resembles his namesake, with angular features and two tufts of hair sticking straight up. Translated by Amado from Portuguese, the text is a bit heavy at times, but the letters themselves are clever fun. With a wink and a nod to fictional wolves worldwide. (facts on wolves) (Picture book. 5-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Excerpts
Excerpts
Manny was looking for a job. He opened the paper and saw:Wolf WantedA good-looking adult with experience for a responsible position. Well paid. Guaranteed. Send a letter describing expectations and a CV to the jobs wanted address at this newspaper.Manny doubted that wolves could read the paper. Or that they would understand anything about CVs or qualifications... But he did...He knew all about job ads and what the words in them mean. He had been looking for a job for quite a while and had read quite a few of them.Manny was a Wolf but he wasn't a wolf. He was a person. Just like other people whose last names are the same as certain animals - Coyote, Peacock, Lamb - his last name was Wolf, Manny Wolf. So he decided it was worth trying his luck. And he answered the ad, as though this company wanted to hire someone whose name was Wolf. Excerpted from Wolf Wanted by Ana Maria Machado All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.