Wolf Camp

PreS-Gr 2—This picture book debut introduces readers to a cartoon canine who sets his sights on attending Wolf Camp. From the moment an advertisement falls out of the bag of kibble into his bowl, Homer begs his people to let him go. At camp, he and his fellow campers learn the fine arts of marking, howling, and tracking, all in preparation for their first hunt with counselors Fang and Grrr. In a letter home to his family, readers learn that Homer's a little homesick, but by story's end the campers have adjusted to life in the wild like naturals. They return home with honorary certificates and are forever changed, as evidenced by Homer's nighttime howling. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations have a comic feel owing to the frequent use of word and thought bubbles and the arrangement of the action on the page, which often appears in borderless panels. Meet the new dog in town; here's hoping this won't be the last we see of Homer. Kids anticipating attending camp themselves soon will relate to the humor and enjoy the way the artwork extends the story.