Max: The Stubborn Little Wolf

Max is a wolf pup who lives with his parents. His mother doesn't say much, but his Papa Wolf wants Max to follow in his footsteps (or pawsteps) and be a hunter. Max says he likes the meat that his Papa buys at the store, but not the meat from animals he hunts, because "hunting is cruel and horrible." Papa Wolf is mortified. On top of rejecting their way of life, this willful child has announced that he wants to be a florist when he grows up. He explains that from the profits from his flower shop, he will be able to buy all the food he needs so he won't need to hunt. Papa Wolf never punishes his son, but he does go through many trials trying to convince him that hunting is the vocation he should "choose." Max has a room filled with stuffed animals - animals he should be hunting, but instead he prefers to play with them. He is not only tender-hearted, but he stands up for what he believes in. Papa Wolf is not happy with Max's ideals, but he copes with them in his own hilarious way. The illustrations by Martine Bourre are absolutely to die for! Max looks so angelic and his father looks so frustrated and huffy-puffy. Papa Wolf is depicted on one page as awake all night (Mama wolf is sleeping with curlers in her hair/fur) and Papa Wolf has this wide-eyed frustrated look in his eye. I laughed out loud when I saw these illustrations, and the story will captivate young and old readers alike.

Max is a little wolf that is growing up in a family of wolves. His whole family are all hunters like wolves should be. At least that is what his dad thinks. He wants Max to be a hunter because he thinks that is what wolves are made to be. Max has a different opinion. He thinks that hunting is the most horrible and mean thing there is. Max wants to be a florist when he grows up. This book sets a good example for kids to just be themselves and not what anyone else wants them to be. As children go through life, they will undergo many tests. They should try their hardest to try not to change when people try to get them to. Just like Max does. His father tries to get him to change in many different ways, but he just doesn't want to be a hunter. I think this is a great book for little children to read.

An interesting little picture book, "Max, the Stubborn Little Wolf" is a real charmer.The story itself is, annoyingly, a bit PC. Max is determined to become a florist, over his father's objections, which make the tale seem almost like a plea for alternative lifestyle equality as much as it is a "be yourself" tale. I suspect this is not intended, but part and parcel of the story being translated from a different language. The text is certainly not harmful, and it isn't a bad story at all, so you may see what I mean whereas kids may not pick up on it.Either way, the illustrations are just priceless. They bring out a dimension of humor not necessarily found in the translated text. An early illustration shows Max's father waxing nostaligic over a thought balloon with a little pig inside, neatly covered in dotted lines denoting the various cuts of pork. Another drawing shows the Father Wolf shaving first thing in the morning! Absolutely hilarious illustrations abound on every page, as the Father is continually frustrated in his attempts to make little Max into a Big Bad Wolf.I suggest you try this one out. You and your kids will be laughing yourselves silly upon turning each page. Bourre Martine's illustrations will make you glad you bought the book.

Poor Papa Wolf! He just doesn't know what he's going to do about his son Max. Wolves are hunters...everyone knows that, even Max. But he doesn't care. He finds hunting mean and horrible. Max is a secure little wolf who knows his own mind and he's not going to be a hunter just because his Papa and all the other wolves hunt. When he grows up he's going to be a florist. He loves flowers. He loves the way they look and smell. He loves taking care of them. And nothing, not even his father's tricks, plans and bright ideas are going to shake his determination..... Marie-Odile Judes has written a terrific picture book, with a subtle message, that will have both kids and adults laughing out loud. Her easy to read and witty text is complimented by Martine Bourre's bright, expressive and detailed artwork and together they've authored a special story about knowing yourself and what will make you happy. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Max the Stubborn Little Wolf will amuse and delight your whole family.

It was a funny book to read to my 4 year old. No great lessons to be learned just fun.