The One and Only Wolfgang: From pet rescue to one big happy family

by Steve Greig, Mary Rand Hess, Jodi Picoult (Foreword)

Do you consider your pets family? Do you enjoy reading about loveable animals? Instagram sensation Steve Greig and New York Times bestselling author Mary Rand Hess share Greig’s real-life family of senior dogs, chickens, rabbits, and a pig named Bikini in his first children’s book that showcases the importance of family. 

In The One and Only Wolfgang, readers will meet Greig’s beloved animal family. Greig looked for the most “unadoptable” animals and gave them a home—his home! Strange and unique, The One and Only Wolfgang will remind readers that no matter how old or how odd, everyone has a place where they belong. Families will enjoy the unique, whimsical art from Nadja Sarell combined with comical photographs of the Wolfgang.


Perfect for children, ages 4-8


Kids will love reading about the loveable animals featured on Steve Greig’s Instagram, @Wolfgang2242 - over 900k followers


Children will learn about love, friendship and family

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Steve Greig is an accountant who has an unusual “family”! He has adopted animals that no one wanted - senior dogs, a rabbit, a chicken named Betty, and even a pig named Bikini! This is a wonderful story about love, belonging, acceptance and what truly is the meaning of family.

Author Jodi Picoult, who is an avid fan, has written a beautiful tribute at the end of the book.

Steve has become a champion for animal adoption and he and his family have appeared on television and in many publications, including NBC Nightly News, ABC News, Fox 5, Animal Planet, Bravo, Rachel Ray, Today.com, Huffington Post, and more. Thousands of fans follow them on instagram!

Young children and adults too will enjoy this heartwarming - and sometimes very funny story! Don’t pass this one up!!

[Karen’s Library]

Love Wolfgang!

I found Steve Greig's Instagram page about a year ago and also fell deeply in love with his Wolfgang! I cry whenever one of the gang crosses over the rainbow bridge and then fall in love all over again with the new additions that join the family as Steve adopts another senior dog in honor of the one who passed. Steve is a guardian angel and I loved this sweet book of this beautiful family.

[Laura]

THE ONE & ONLY WOLFGANG is a cute story about a bunch of senior dogs and other unadoptable animals rescued from certain death who live together in one big happy family. It stresses the importance of loving no matter what and embracing individual differences.



This is a cute funny book that actually made me laugh at times.



There is no faith message so suitable for the general market, Recommended for animal lovers anywhere, no matter of age and even for senior citizens in homes.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

[Rebecca]

Amazing pictures in this book! It does feel like you have to have more background on Wolfgang from instagram to fully appreciate this book though.

[Lois]

This is a sweet sweet picture book about a family of old dogs (and a pig, chicken, and rabbit) who all live with a man who takes them in and cares for them, in honor of his old companion dog, after it died and left a big hole in his heart. It's a true story, and so heartwarming. I read an article about the man the other day and it mentioned this book, so I wanted to see more. They are truly a family, doing everything together, going on little road trips, and as each of the dear old ones dies, the man takes in another one. He always has at least 9 dogs, sometimes a few more, and it makes me happy to know there are these kinds of people in the world.

[Conny Reviews]

“It makes no difference that Waylon can’t hear, or that Stuart is a rabbit, or that Bikini is a pig, or that Betty is a chicken, because … Family is Acceptance,” Steve Greig and Mary Rand Hess write near the end of their book, The One & Only Wolfgang: From Pet Rescue to One Big Happy Family.

~ What ~
This thirty-two-page over-sized hardbound targets children ages four to eight years old who like stories about pets, especially those that have been rescued. With no scary scenes, it is about a group of older or handicapped animals that may seem like misfits but are perfect as a family.

In this short tale, a dozen animals with different personalities and characteristics live in a large house. Whether they have disabilities such as no teeth or being hard of hearing, are small or huge, or like to eat cheese or watch movies, they enjoy each other and are thankful for family and friendships.

~ Why ~
This is an adorable book about a bunch of mangy critters from tiny 18-year old Eeyore the Chihuahua and tea-cup size Englebert to the gargantuan horse-sized Enoch and fashionista Edna, along with more dogs, a pig, chicken, and rabbit. I like how the illustrator combined photographs of the rescued animals with hand-drawn backgrounds.

~ Why Not ~
Some may not like the idea of rescuing abandoned, unadoptable pets, but these have a special charm of their own as they live happily with each other. Beginner readers may have trouble with the more complicated three- or four-syllable words.

~ Wish ~
I think the concept of this book is important and needed in a society that discards or cannot take care of pets for different reasons. I did not like the use of the word “ain’t” in one of Bikini’s quotes as it is not helpful as a new reader may consider it acceptable to use.

~ Want ~
If you are looking for a book about how rescued animals become one big, well-loved family, this is a good read that would be appreciated by the Humane Society and other animal shelters.

Thanks to Z-Blog Squad for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

[Mervin Wilson]

The underlying message of this endearing book is that families come in all different shapes, sizes and ages, with each individual's uniqueness making the family better. The book is full of humor, adorable photos and whimsical illustrations. This book will be loved by many ages, with younger kids enjoying the cute animals which include nine dogs, a chicken, a rabbit and a pig, and older kids appreciating the jokes and the important message of inclusion. As an adult, I chuckled through the book and had a huge grin the whole time reading it. To top it all off, the pets in the book are rescued seniors, lovingly cared for by a man with a heart of gold. By the end, you will be wishing you were somehow a member of this wonderful clan.

[Jennifer]

How can you not love this book? If you’re not a follower of the Wolfgang instagram, you should be. It’s so much more of the delight you’ll find in this book. As a long-time fan, I enjoyed the book immensely and think it would be lovely for kids or for fans of the Wolfgang family. The illustrations are very sweet, and I love the mixture with photos. The message is loving and universal, and one especially important in treating animals with love and care. My only criticism is that there could have been more Bikini. There can always be more Bikini.

[Courtney]

So much more than just a zany children’s picture book. I’ve loved @wolfgang2242 for years on Instagram, and his inspirational message on senior pet adoption. Seeing photos and little anecdotes and small snippets of his life with these adopted seniors brings me so. much. Joy. Every animal in his care makes me smile ear to ear. Steve is my personal hero, and I was so happy to support his cause by purchasing this very cute little book & will be purchasing more just because.

[Anna]

Fantastic! I’ve been following his IG for years now. Several of the pets in this book have since passed. Those ones are dear to my heart, so reading this book bring a smile of remembrance and tears of sorrow because they are missed. Steve generously shared his family with the world so we may love them too. Senior adoptions are full of love, joy, commitment and sweetness. Thank you, Steve. I look forward to your next book.

[Jennifer Ankele]

I absolutely love this book. It is so refreshing to read about how animals enhance our lives. This book is a must read for all children and animal lovers. The best part of this book is that it is a true story!!

[Linsey Aulisio]

I love this book for my daughter. She is very invested in each animal and loves to see Bikini in her princess bed. This is a very sweet book. I am grateful that I go the recommendation from Jillian Michael's podcast. I started following the Wolfgang on Instagram as well. Thank you for all of the love that you give to these animals.

[Brittany]

An interesting story about several once homeless pets all coming together to live under one roof. The illustrations/real pictures are great. Plus at the beginning of the book you get to read all about each animal.

[Awjtf]

Wonderful book!

[Trish]

This is about a rescue family of animals.

[Kathryn]

Cute also good message about adopting senior pets I did and it’s wonderful.

[Erin]

Cute story of a real family of senior animals that are getting a second chance at life. This is a nice book for getting a message out there without seeming too needy or didactic. Very nice!

[Bethann Gilson]

I have been following Steve (wolfgang) on IG for about 3 years. This is a beautiful story of his life with his rescue dogs.

[Cynthia Nicola]

Such a good read! Great themes about the families we create, acceptance, differences, and love!

[Kim]

Oh, such a beautiful story! Sharing about acceptance and love in every way in a family, but with furry creatures.

[Michelle]

A cute tale about rescue pets.

[A Zimmer]

Perfect read aloud to share with kids of all ages! These lovable rescued pets share a message of inclusivity and the importance of family. The photos will make you smile. 😊

[Melissa]

Follow this Instagram account and am in love with these rescue pets 🥰

[Mills]

This is probably the most wholesome thing I have EVER seen.

[Avett Huggins]

Such a good story that everyone in your family is different-but that is ok!

[Annabelle]

Fabulous! All about family and the quirks dogs and people have - and how to love even with our differences!

[Ardith]

What a fun and beautiful book and a lovely read aloud for kids! I'm sure it will inspire lots of people to adopt and love older pets. I hope when I retire I can have a wonderful family like this one.

[Beckie Burnham]

The One And Only Wolfgang is the story of real life members of a very unique family — a real menagerie made up of rescues. While many might find these dogs, pig, and chicken (yes chicken!) unadoptable, they have found their forever home. I loved the hilarious photos that are inserted into the colorful illustrations with a narrative about the individual personalities of each member and the doings of this big, happy family. I think this book is a good reminder to everyone that finding a place among family is the very best place to be. It may even inspire you to welcome a rescue into your own home.

Recommended.

Audience: kids ages 4-8.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Dabney]

I've been dying to read this because I follow the Instagram account for all these lovely animals. It was really cute, and the photos of the animals and message of acceptance is great! Very cute and funny!

[Erika Valverde]

Super cute

A very cute -and funny- way to teach acceptance.
Very well written and illustrated. A must read for all ages.