Big Wolf always lived alone until the day Little Wolf climbs the hill and sits—uninvited—under Big Wolf’s tree. Like a shadow, Little Wolf emulates Big Wolf’s every move. But it is not until Little Wolf disappears that Big Wolf realizes that, “Without you . . . I was lonely.” As the book closes, Little Wolf admits his loneliness too, and we recognize our hope that the friends’ adventures will continue. Big Wolf & Little Wolf received a Batchelder Honor award for its spare, but evocative, translated text. However, it may be the expressionistic mixed-media illustrations that captivate younger audiences because illustrator Olivier Tallec captures each mood so perfectly. 2010 Batchelder Honor Book. lmp

Originally published as Grand Loup & Petit Loup in French by Père Castor Êditions Flammarion France, in 2005. Translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick.

Join Big Wolf and Little Wolf as they move through the seasons and share an adventure.

A 2009 Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year!

High, high up in a tree is a little leaf. Little Wolf dreams of touching and even eating this leaf. In fact, he wants nothing more. The only problem is that his little leaf refuses to fall.

Big Wolf is willing to do anything to make Little Wolf happy, so one winter's morning, Big Wolf says, "I'm going up." At first, his climb up the big tree goes smoothly, but the higher he goes, the more slippery and dangerous it gets. Little Wolf waits below, wondering whether his little leaf is worth such trouble after all. Climbing to the top of a frost covered tree isn't easy. What if something happens to Big Wolf?

Big Wolf & Little Wolf: The Little Leaf that Wouldn't Fall is a lovely story about two friends and the many ways in which friendship teaches patience, boldness, and love.