Wolves of Currumpaw

In 1862, New Mexico, a lone pack of wolves roams a dramatically changing landscape. The notorious mob of grey american wolves have terrorised the region's livestock, desperate for food due to the loss of their natural habitat and food sources. They are led by Old Lobo the king of the Currumpaw valley and a $1,000 bounty has been placed on his head. What follows is a true and moving story retelling the original account of Ernest Thompson Seton as he attempts to hunt and kill the infamous Lobo. Time and again the wolves evade capture and demonstrate their intelligence and considerable skill against the wiles and enticements of the hunters. Undeterred, Seton works for months poisoning, baiting and laying traps for the wolf pack. He finally reaches a breakthrough moment when he discovers Lobo's weakness - a mate, a beautiful white wolf named Blanca. The capture and death of Blanca is the bait he has needed to lure Old Lobo to him. Tragically the grieving wolf is caught and like 'a lion shorn of his strength, or an eagle robbed of his freedom' to fly he dies of a broken heart, mourning the loss of his beloved mate Blanca. Having achieved what he set out to do, Ernest Seton realises he is not proud of his actions. In the process of hunting the wolf pack he has developed an understanding of their true nature and it fills him with remorse. He embarks upon a life changing course, vowing to protect the wolf species and the conservation of all American wildlife that has become so threatened. Seton,s passion for animals spreads and influences many of our modern day environmentalists including Sir David Attenborough - holding together the shared belief that the hunting of animals is not only unethical but damaging to our naturally balanced environment. The Wolves of Currumpaw story ends with the poignant and contrite words of Ernest Seton - 'Ever since Lobo, my sincerest wish has been to impress upon people that each of our native wild creatures is in itself a precious heritage that we have no right to destroy or to put beyond the reach of our children'. This is a stunningly beautiful book by award winning author William Grill. As with his last book 'Shackleton's Journey', Grill effortlessly tells a detailed and moving story through carefully crafted pencil drawn pictures and simple, thought-provoking text. In The Wolves of Currumpaw William Grill's use of earth tones magnificently reflects the beauty of the Currumpaw landscape and the animals that inhabit it. The changing plains of the American Wild West are captured in all of their forms, as are the emotions of the wolves and hunters. At times the story board styled illustrations wordlessly take over the role of storytelling, evoking the reader to ponder and reflect. This book is a exquisitely draw visual journey, at times it almost feels as though the pictures are moving. It could be argued that William Grill's greatest story telling prowess in this book, is in his ability to make a harrowing story accessible to a young reader. The simplicity of Grills style aids the reader through a difficult journey of discovery - the unapologetic destruction of a delicately-balanced ecosystem, the unethical slaughter of animals fighting for their own survival and the remorse of a hunter vowing to never again kill an animal for sport or monetary gain. Readers will not be traumatised by this books content, however, but hopefully they will be moved to a deeper understanding of the plight of the endangered grey wolf. Highly recommended to all - budding environmentalists, animal lovers and anyone who enjoys a well told tale of the power of regret to change a person's nature from hunter to conservationist. A must for every classroom, library and child's bookshelf.

Suggested Reading Age 7+