This cute story shows the Big "Bad" Wolf's sweet side, as he sets out to make friends and show the world that he is not as bad as people think he is. However, nobody wants to believe that he can actually be good! In the end, he saves a baby duckling and Mrs. Duck finally calls him good (although he will always be the Big BAD Wolf).

I loved the illustrations but the plot was just too simplistic to suggest as a read aloud. There’s always that hint that he’s just saying he’s good today but it’s not a true character evolution. There’s better read alouds out there.

Another cute book about the famous "big bad wolf" character that is widely seen across many children's books. This one is nice because this time, the wolf tries to be the good wolf. He is lonely and wants to make friends.

This would be a great book to talk about acceptance, and anti-bullying. You can also make text-to-text connections. Have the children critically analyze texts such as this.

A cute twist to the Big Bad Wolf fairy tale. Great when discussing friends and feelings. Great for an interactive read aloud!

Plot Summary:

Everyone has heard of the Big Bad Wolf. In many fairy tales he strikes fear into the souls of his victims. Unfortunately, Big Bad Wolf has a big bad reputation. No one is ever concerned with his feelings. If anyone has been lonely at some time, they can really appreciate the struggle that Big Bad Wolf is about to face. After being lonely and misunderstood for a long time, Big Bad Wolf decides it's time for a change. In an attempt to make friends, he must become "Big Good Wolf", but will it be enough to convince others that he's changed? Through the course of the story, Big Bad Wolf tries to make friends with various fowl, and their chicks. After being so misunderstood for so long, he finds it difficult to convince anyone that he is a changed wolf. Eventually Big Bad Wolf decides to "be useful and good, and do a noble deed", by finding a lost duckling in the woods. Upon returning the duckling to his mother, Big Bad Wolf is finally realized to be an all around good guy. He makes friends with Mrs. Duck and her ducklings. In the end, Big Bad Wolf...who is sometimes good, learns what it is like to be helpful, and to have friends. This tale of The Big Bad Wolf leaves the reader with warm fuzzy feelings about all characters, and realizing that there are always two sides to every story.

Literary Merit:
This picture book makes great use of space, as well as the expression of the characters in the illustrations in order to allow the reader to feel the emotions. The chickens, geese, and ducks that Big Bad Wolf encounter through the pages are not very trusting of him. The Illustrations show this, as the entire book is used during their conversations with one another. Often Big Bad Wolf is on one page, while his "potential friends" are fleeing on the other. This use of space makes it very clear how they feel about him. All of the poultry "run into the house and slam the door" at various parts of the story. The illustrations in the pages do a great job in capturing the nervousness of Big Bad Wolf's friends, as well as his sadness as he is denied by almost all of them.

Genre Considerations:
This picture book is great for both it's interesting and silly pictures, as well as its continued theme that is found throughout. The pictures are bright and vibrant, and effectively show the emotions of the characters simply through visualization. This allows even young readers the opportunity to understand what is going on, or to make predictions, even before they can read on their own. There is also a repetitive theme of Big Bad Wolf not being able to easily make friends with the other characters. The reader can easily see this common theme simply by observing the pictures found on the pages. As with many books, this picture book does a good job of teaching the reader an important lesson as the story progresses. The reader is able to look at the story from a different perspective, and can learn that things aren't always as they appear. In doing this, the reader gains valuable insight into the feelings of others, and learns that everyone's feelings matter.

Reader Response/Classroom Connections:

This book would be ideal to use when discussing points of view in a Language Arts lesson. Because the story is coming from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf, it is looked at from a completely different side than most children are used to experiencing. The wolf is the one who is lonely, and sad because he cannot make friends. This will allow the reader to think critically in a situation, and analyze it on a deeper level before drawing conclusions. This book would be perfect for drawing and analyzing character traits of the different individuals in the story, because of their vast differences. This book could also be vital in teaching young children about their feelings, and the feelings of others. It doesn't matter how tough someone is, or how mean they may seem, everyone still has feelings. This can help to teach sensitivity, as well as treating others how you would like to be treated.

A clever twist on a well-known character. It helps teach children that villains aren't always inherently bad.

This is a good book for talking to children about rebuilding trust; the fact that the wolf has to prove himself before everyone can begin to trust him again is an important lesson.

Big Bad Wolf is Good by Simon Puttock was fairly good. I believe it has great meaning and morals for readers to learn. The story begins with the Big Bad Wolf all alone. He is lonely and wants someone to be his friend, so he sets off to do multiple good deeds in order for the other characters will be friends with him. The story continues on to tell his story and how he changes in order to make friends. The techniques used to create this story really convey its meaning. for example when you open the book to the end pages, they are a bright orange. I relate the color orange with warmth, so with this color choice I don't expect the book to be dark or mean. The illustrations are somewhere between a cartoon and sketch style, however they are sweet and give the wolf a new perspective. This book is great to introduce young children to the idea of friendship and that people can change and that we should try to accept them bettering themselves even if we may not believe it at first.

This book is great for young children who are new to reading or new to listening to books being read aloud. It is an adorable spin off of the big bad wolf, but making it into a happy story about the wolf.

Genre: Traditional; (well a spin off of traditional)
Copyright Date: 2001

We had a sub in our preschool classroom that read the students the traditional story of the three little pigs. So I wanted to find some of the other versions of the classic story to read to the students. This was a fun because I had one student who just couldn't believe this was true because the big bad wolf just can't be good. I really liked this because I think with older students kindergarten or first grade we could use these two books as an example that there are two sides to every story!

Liked the idea but just didn't catch for me

I thought that the illustrations were cool and engaging. This twist on the story of the big bad wolf was different than what I have read before. I think this story would be appreciated by students and could be a good lesson idea to teach kids to give people forgiveness and a second chance.