A litter of wolves thrives through their first lunar cycle in Full Moon Pups, a dusky, melodic picture book from Liz Garton Scanlon and Chuck Groenink.
Over misty mountaintops in the deep blue of night, a swollen-bellied wolf slinks through trees. "A wind whips up the forest,/ the sky is full of moon,/ and Mama Wolf is restless,/ with her litter coming soon." The five pups nestle in their den as their pack--and the waning moon--keeps watch. When a storm threatens the litter's safety, they relocate and curiously explore their environs as a subtle wedge of moon marks their growth. Threats of the new moon's darkness yield to playful exploration under "moonlight more and more" until the pack is shown howling ("mighty shadows thrown!") beneath a round and full globe.
Scanlon (Bob, Not Bob!; Lolo's Light) tracks the pups' first month through lilting, rhyming quartets. Lush descriptors--"the world swells wet and gray"--set a striking wilderness scene. Pacing of the minimal text reflects lunar phases, and Groenink (The Friend Ship; 16 Words) expressively matches the climactic disappearance of the moon with inky spreads in which the wolves' hackles rise and eyes narrow. Many of the mixed-media illustrations are double-page spreads that immerse readers in the wolves' experience. Backmatter includes resources on lunar cycles, identifies the setting as Yellowstone, and elaborates on the author's connection with wolves.
This fresh combination of STEM concepts shines a gentle light on rewilding, and will be as welcome at story times as in early science classrooms. --Kit Ballenger, youth librarian, Help Your Shelf