Wolfstongue

By Author / Illustrator

Sam Thompson, Anna Tromop,

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Island

ISBN

9781912417759

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-05-2021

Synopsis

The Times children's debut by Booker-longlisted author Sam Thompson is an engrossing, thoughtful, beautifully written story about humans and animals, voice and power, neurodiversity and acceptance.

The Silas is bullied at school because his words will not come. He wishes he could live in silence as animals do. Deep in the Forest, the foxes live in an underground city built by their wolf slaves. The foxes' leader Reynard controls everything with his clever talk. One day, Silas helps an injured wolf. Then he enters the secret world of the Forest, where the last remaining wolves fight to survive. But even there, language is power. Can Silas find his voice in time to help his wolf friends - can he become the Wolfstongue?

"Each creature has its own character and I love how by having names they feel real and I have been naming creatures when I see them out on my walks." - Oscar, aged 9, child reviewer. "Has all the makings of a modern classic." - Alex O'Connell.

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Reviews

Silas is bullied at school because he cannot get the words out properly. One day, on his way home, he meets a wolf. The wolf is injured and Silas helps it. Shortly afterwards, he encounters a gang of foxes and discovers the hidden world of the forest. He discovers that the wolves are the last of their kind, held in captivity by the foxes. Silas needs to find his voice in order to help the wolves, and so embarks on an adventure which will challenge all that he thought he knew about the world.

Wolfstongue is a wonderful book, a modern fable about human interaction with the natural world and the power of language. Sam Thompson writes from experience as one of his own children has a speech difficulty, and the compassion and understanding of that comes across clearly in his work.

Although this story features talking animals and hidden forests, it all seems entirely natural, as if you could just walk into this very scenario at any moment, if you look hard enough. The pencil illustrations by Anna Tromop, which take over whole pages at certain points, are as beautiful as the words and add to the over all feel of the book immensely.

This is a heart-warming adventure, unforgettable and original. As it is not too long, it is also quite accessible for children who baulk at a chunky novel, whilst the length does not mean it loses anything. Definitely one to recommend to the child who wants to read a more complex book, but who could not manage the length of many books for the older age group.

This is one for the child who carries around the same book all term - they won't be carrying this around for long - they will have to read on and finish it, to find out what happens in the end.

288 Pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris