Wolf Camp

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan MB - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 6, 2017

Review

This is a really cute, comical story about Homer, a dog who secretly pines to be a wolf. The story is told from Homer's point of view and follows him as he gets a surprise letter in a bag of his food inviting him to spend a week at "Wolf Camp." With some persistence and puppy dog eyes, his family fulfills his wishes and bids him farewell as he boards a bus with a collection of other dogs, reminiscent of a child heading off to summer camp. Homer and his fellow campers are greeted by his counselors- two real-live wolves, aptly named Fang and Grrr. After a safety talk, they begin by learning how to howl (with little luck, at first) and set off on their first real "hunt" (as a pet dog, Homer would regularly hunt moose - a stuffed toy moose, that is). The dogs partake in the wolves' catch (only implied through word bubbles, nothing graphic) and are surprised by the "unusual" flavor (he subsequently writes home and asks his family for a bag of Grandma Polly's Pampered Pooch bacon-flavored Doggie Snacks, claiming the food at Wolf Camp is gross). Homer and his fellow canine campers don't get much sleep their first night in the wild, but instead spend it huddled in a pile, kept awake by the mysterious sounds of the forest. With each day, however, they begin to adjust to life in the wild, eventually earning certificates that declared them "honorary wolves." Returning home proves bittersweet, though he is visibly excited as he runs towards his family. The story ends sweetly with Homer curled up at home (under a heated blanket), certificate proudly displayed, reflecting on his experience and howling - convincingly this time - out the window. Really cute story, nicely illustrated, and humorous for both children and adult readers. Fun for any story time setting.

Overall Book Score: very good