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.

This is the third and last book in the Big Wolf series. Once again Olivier Tallec's illustrations, which are bold in perspective and full of feeling, deepen the story. Departing from the previous two books, this story takes place in a city, albeit one with a park and a tree on a hill.

Big Wolf and Little Wolf have gone on an adventure. Little Wolf sees an orange and goes after it, but he doesn't return. Big Wolf plunges into the urban jungle in search of Little Wolf. He finds the orange, but not his friend. Fear and loneliness overtake him, but he perseveres. Finally, he comes into a clearing of light, where he finds Little Wolf near where he lost him. Big Wolf has gone full circle and, as these things go, everything has changed. Big Wolf has undertaken an interior journey, gone through the metaphorical forest, and come out fuller and richer and more himself. This is a deep story about true friendship and how it helps to make us who we are.

Nadine Brun-Cosme is the author of over twenty juvenile novels and picture books. She lives in France. Her book Big Wolf and Little Wolf is a 2010 Batchelder Honor book.

Olivier Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the Ecole Sup rieure d'Art Graphic in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books, seven of which have been published by Enchanted Lion Books.