Nick Bland, Wolfred, Hardie Grant Egmont, October2020, 32pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760505660
Wolfred McFlea is hungry—he’s not making ends meet as a writer. Lured in by the lustrous Fancy Pants Tower and the characters who visit there, he takes a job as a lift operator. Though the rich and famous don’t notice Wolfred, he notices everything. He shares all of the Tower’s weird and wonderful happenings with his friends, finding himself at home as he travels between floors.
From the author of the Very Cranky Bear series, Wolfred is a delight to read. The rhyming structure of the text makes it engaging—keeping readers eager to turn the page. A story about a character doing his best despite working with some less-than-nice personalities, Bland’s use of humour is subtle but effective.
The illustrations, which look like they have been hand-painted, are textural and eye-catching. They feature a rich colour palette. The book is nicely produced in large format hardback, with high-quality pages in a matte finish.
A fun and endearing story about the importance of quiet observers, this book is a great read-aloud addition to any collection. A reminder that our ‘best life’ looks different for everyone.
Recommended for lower primary ages.
Reviewed by Sarah Stivens
