Product Description

Wilhelmina Harper's The Gunniwolf is a classic-beloved by readers, storytellers, and teachers. Unavailable for years, it is back with fabulous new illustrations by Barbara Upton, perfect for our time. Its vibrant, rhythmic read-aloud text-sprinkled with dialect-tells the story of Little Girl, who is forbidden to enter the jungle for fear of meeting the Gunniwolf. But when she does, this version's Gunniwolf seems almost playful-if just a little scary. But Little Girl learns her lesson, and a new generation of listeners will be rapt with delight at this "guten sweeten" book.

Illustrated by Barbara Upton.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #881877 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-Upton brings a new look to a classic tale. Harper's rendition of the girl who encounters a wolf while venturing into the jungle was originally illustrated by William Wiesner (Dutton, 1967; o.p.) in hues of green and orange. The text, first copyrighted in 1918, is identical, containing the delightful onomatopoeic phrases that invite participation when read aloud. Readers spy the wolf before Little Girl does, but the spunky heroine manages to sing him to sleep, repeatedly, until she escapes to the safety of home. The soft-focus "jungle" canopy and precious animals will deter some adults, but others will want to consider a full-color, fresh edition of the cautionary tale. An introductory note provides some background, much of it speculative.
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 1. A staple of story hours for decades, the tale of the Gunniwolf returns, with Harper's text reprinted almost word for word, but illustrations that are larger, brighter, and glossier than William Wiesner's pictures for the familiar 1967 version. The Gunniwolf, who resembled a lion in the old edition, now looks more like a large, overly friendly dog. The old version appeared to take place in India; the new one has an idyllic, woodland setting reminiscent of the American frontier, though the text specifies a "dense jungle." An unsigned introductory note, which calls the story "an American folktale whose origin is uncertain," offers thoughtful commentary on the tale. Some will find the art in this picture book overly sweet; others will be captivated by Upton's pretty interpretation of Harper's beautifully cadenced text. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Wilhelmina Harper was a prominent children's librarian and noted anthologist and folklorist. She was born in Maine and worked in libraries in New York City, California, and France.

Barbara Upton is the illustrator of Adventure on Klickitat Island, by Hilary Horder Hippely, also published by Dutton.

Customer Reviews

The Gunniwolf
What a shame that this classic children's tale is out-of-print. I was introduced to this story about five years ago and have shared it with many children along the way. I can almost see the Gunniwolf standing in front of me when I read the book aloud and his voice is a clear as a bell. What a joy to read. I only wish that I could give it as gifts to all of my friend's children.

An exciting adventure for all people, big and small.
My experience with using the Gunniwolf as a preschool teaching aid has been very successful. This tale of little girl and her forbidden, flower-picking adventure in the jungle evokes the imagination of children and inspires their dramatic play. The marvelous detail of this poetic emprise is a valuable tool for teaching critical thinking skills. The Gunniwolf successfully accentuates the importance of following the instructions of parents and caregivers. Little girl's jungle adventure provides the opportunity to teach the concept of a multicultural world with common issues among its people. The creative writing style of the author makes it simple to incorporate creative storytelling techniques that will enkindle children to request, listen to, and retell over and over again the story of little girl and the Gunniwolf.

My children love this book
We've gotten both this version and the original out from the library so many times that I had to buy our own copy. For some reason, my girls just love this story. They love the repetition of the song and the pit pat pit pat of Little Girl running away and the hunker cha hunker cha of the gunniwolf chasing her. They want me to read it again and again. And when I'm not reading it to them, although they are both preschool age, I hear them "reading" this book to each other.