The Eyes of Gray Wolf by Jonathan London & Illus by Jon Van Zyle

This is another book I found in the Loussac Library in Anchorage this summer. And since there is a love interest, I figured it would be a good book for Valentine's week.

Jon Van Zyle has been the official artist of the Iditarod since 1979, so he is pretty well experienced in drawing Alaskan landscapes and dogs. The storyline itself is pretty straightforward. I mean, it is about wolves, so it is a little difficult to get in depth with characterization. 

However, the pictures make this a stand out. 

Grey Wolf is a little preoccupied. He has lost his mate to a man's steel trap.

oooh! I just love his art work. And poor old Grey wolf all alone under a super moon apparently. 

Howling at the moon-- A wild untamed music.

Trying to catch dinner, but....

Shadows show that he is not alone.

The leader of the pack. AND his fur is black. I guess the black sheep is the one with the reputation, but a black wolf seems like a tough character. 

And suddenly, grey wolf sees a white wolf. A white wolf who just happens to be looking for a mate. 

When you are a wolf, dating isn't really a thing. You're single? Me too! Let's get together. 

Wolves don't mess around with superfluous nonsense. 

At the end of the book there is a page with information about wolves. This is the decreasing wolf range. Clearly wolves didn't like American settlers and all moved north. Or something....

The Wolf, the Duck & the Mouse by Mac Barnett & Illus by Jon Klassen

This book is SO AWESOME. I love it, my kids love it, my school kids love it. You WILL love it too. (That's a command.)

One day, a mouse met a wolf and the inevitable happened--he was swallowed up.

In the wolf's tummy, the mouse sets up a ruckus "Oh woe is me!" only to be told to be quiet. 

Apparently there was a duck living in the wolf's stomach as well. 

"I may have been swallowed, but I have no intention of being eaten." 

They have a lovely breakfast. 

Mouse questions duck about where she got jam and a tablecloth. 

"You'd be surprised what you find inside of a wolf."

 They take their soup seriously. 

Duck has such indomitable spirit, you can't help but love her. (or him. It never really says.)

After duck explains how and why she lives in the wolf's stomach--

"Out there I was always worried about being gobbled up by wolves. In here, I don't have to worry about it." 

--mouse decides he would like to stay. So they have a celebration. 

Which makes the wolf feel wozzily, The goose tells him a good hunk of cheese, wine, and beeswax candles would cure him. 

That night they feast--involving wine and beeswax candles. 

All is delightful in their little home! 

Until that home is threatened. 

"Tonight, we ride to defend our home!"

Not surprisingly, the hunter is a little nonplussed to have this apparition come charging out of a wolf's mouth. He takes off. 

The wolf tells them he will honor whatever wish they have.

SERIOUSLY though, the saucepan and sieve hats--the tablecloth cape--the hockey stick.... I really, really love these characters. 

And I will leave it for you to figure out what they asked for. 

GO READ THIS BOOK.