Controversial Picture Book: Woolvs in the Satee (Wolves in the City)

Title: Woolvs in the Satee
Author: Margaret Wild
Publication: 2006

Wow, well this book is definitely different. In some ways good and in other ways... I can quite figure out. From the front cover of the book, one can tell that it is going to be dark and dismal. When flipping through the book, your inclinations are further supported. The pages are filled with dark, black almost demonic illustrtaions with what looks to be messy, charcoal drawings. I can tell the author is purposeful in her choice of illustrations, words, and the mode of the book. One that makes you feel a little depressed.

Furthermore, the story is very dark and depressing as well. I honestly wasn't even sure what was going on by the end of it and had to look up a couple summaries to be sure. It looks like there is no "specific" answer. A lot of people have very diverse ideas of what happens in the book. Basically the boy is scared of these "woolvs" but he is talking about wolves as if they are in his home. He is stuck inside someplace and seems as if he doesn't have access to food, the outside world, etc. He is burning furniture to keep him warm. The only connection he has with the outside world is with Mrs. Radinski. She brings him food and water and tells him "there are no wolves." The name "Radinski" makes me think this book could take place in the Slovak area of Europe because "ski" is popular in last names from those areas. So maybe this book has something to do about the Holocaust or Communism, etc. Still not sure, but definitely a good book to allow students to infer or decide for themselves what may happen. Overall, I'm still not sure what the plot of the story actually is, but I think that is the purpose of Wild's writing. I think she wants to leave you thinking about the book and therefore researching or talking about it with others.

In addition to its depressing storyline, this book could have been ban because of the writing in the book. Author Wild spells things phonetically and purposely misspells words to fit in with the feel of the book. Potentially because the main character may be illiterate or maybe because she wants to reach those students who may not spell well. It could connect with students and show them that they aren't alone is spelling things wrong.

Overall, this book is definitely very different and I can understand why it might be banned from class or schools, etc. However, I do think it provides a different point of view for young readers. It is an example of a book that should be presented to students to help them realize that this world is not perfect. We all have depressing thing that happen in our life and affect us in potentially negative ways.