The Wolf’s Secret

The Wolf is a feared and mighty hunter, the true lord of the forest. But one day he falls under the spell of a song, music made by a girl singing to her father who lies ill. When the music stops, the wolf is devastated – he will do anything to help the girl sing again – but this wish will have consequences

Drawing on motives that appear in Andersen’s Little Mermaid and the tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, the authors have created a story that has the rhythm and atmosphere of a folk or fairy tale. Like all such tales, there is also a lesson at its heart – the power of love that is both fulfilling but also destructive. However, here the authors introduce a further message – the redemptive quality of shared fears. They tell their story simply and directly, taking their audience with them into this world of dark forests where the possibility of a sorcerer with a cloak of leaves and a magic egg are entirely reasonable. Sardà’s illustrations bring their imaginings to life. Here her distinctive style is perfectly suited to this world in which there is magic and mystery. Her dark palette emphasises the power of the wolf and the mystery of the forest; the decorative details within the illustrations enhance the traditional atmosphere evoked by the storytelling. A beautiful production in which great care has been taken to ensure the choice of font and design make this an accessible and enjoyable experience. A book the reader wants to pick up, a story that will be enjoyed.