Wiener Wolf (review)

“Life with Granny had become too tame” for Wiener Dog, so, inspired by a nature documentary, he takes off to the forest, finds some new lupine companions, sheds his hand-knitted doggie sweater, and becomes Wiener Wolf. That’s clearly the life for him, running with the wolf pack and gamboling with the puppies—until he discovers that the pack’s energetic chase of the deer isn’t just for fun but for food. That’s enough to turn Wiener Wolf back into Wiener Dog and send him back home to Granny, his water bowl, and a new sweater (and the occasional outing with the pups in the dog park). While the motivations for the plot turns are somewhat flimsy, the concept of a wee little sausage dog running with the wolves is amusingly incongruous, and the text plays up the contrast in short, punchy phrases. The muddy tones of the thickly painted illustrations prevent Wiener Dog from standing out as he ought to, but his lengthy form has both authenticity and humor on its side, and the fine detailed brushstrokes for fur and foliage provide depth and texture. This would actually be an effective elementary readalone for young fans of the Kevin O’Malley school of sardonic irony, as well as being an enjoyable readaloud tale to kids who understand both the lure of the wild world and the comforts of home.