The Dog Who Cried Wolf

Moka was a typical housepet until one day when his owner, Michelle, read a book about wolves. Suddenly Moka decided that there must be more to life than dry food, walks on a leash, and tea parties with Michelle. He runs away to the mountains to live the life of a wolf. But Moka learns that hunting isn't as easy as it looks, and eventually comes home for a happy reunion with Michelle. Written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza, this story is quick-paced and funny. The artwork is excellent, especially the eye-catching cover illustration featuring Moka howling at the moon. The "running away from home" theme is a classic that goes back to the parable of the prodigal son, and this retelling presents it in a form that children, especially animal lovers, will really enjoy. Kids will also like the funny ending to the story. Definitely an enjoyable bedtime read.

My two-year-old daughter and I love Keiko Kasza's books. When I found out about this book, I made a trip to the library and checked it out right away. This story is really cute and very funny. The illustration is a bit different from Kasza's other books. The pictures look more like a cartoon than those in her other books. It became my daughter's favorite book right away. We have to read it everyday, at least 3 times a day. We once made a record of 7 times in one day. It turns out that she can read the whole book herself. She can memorize every single word. She particularly loves to howl "Haoooooooooo..." just like the dog, Moka, and the wolves. It's such an outstanding book: excellent story and wonderful illustration. Great job, Kasza!