Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary

by Jean Craighead George, Lucia Washburn (Illustrator)

Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George lovingly tells the story of three wolf pups--from the moment they open their eyes to the time they lead the hunt. Lyrical passages in her wolf pup diary describe how the pups tumble and play and when they first learn to howl and talk wolk talk. Readers are reminded of the changes in nature that are happening in the lower 48 states as they "look to the north" to watch the wolf pups grow. Jean George's words and Lucia Washburn's breathtaking paintings give the reader a rare glimpse of one of nature's noblest creatures: the wolf.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Science, Nature, Nonfiction, Childrens, Wolves

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 1997

About the author

Jean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.

The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been a favorite picture book of mine and it still holds up despite a few outdated notions about the way wolf packs work.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

We follow along with three wolf puppies from the same litter through the first year of their lives.

The pictures are nice, but the text is so dry and matter-of-fact as it tracks milestones of growth and development that I had trouble staying awake.

[Oona · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute book that describes the life of a wolf cub; a nice introduction for children for them to see how non-fiction writing can be just as creative.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The illustrations were beautiful as was the story 🐾

[Kara Buchholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
Look to the North is an informational narrative about pups. Their names are Boulder, Scree, and Tallus, they are used to tell different aspects of the growing life of the pups. There are certain times in the book where the author relates to real events that kids see every day and tell them to look to the North and then states the development of the pups.
The drawings went extremely well with the story and they were astounding in detail! The illustrations almost looked like real pictures taken with a camera!
Response
I gave this book a five star rating because I thought that even though this was an informational book it was extremely interesting and made it easy for younger readers to understand and find interesting as well. I think that children will also think that the pups are cute and when they see things such as dandelions they will look to the North and think of the pups and growing up!
Classroom Connection
The students can take the times through the book that author says to look the North and make a check list and every time that they find something they would look to the North they check it off! The teacher can also lead a lecture on pups growing up along with other baby animals!
Text Complexity
Lexile 580 L
I think the interest level would be 2-4

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This informational narrative presents facts and information about wolves in the story of three wolf pups: Boulder, Scree, and Tallus. Wolves are born blind and deaf. They open their eyes at 10 days old and begin hearing at three weeks.

Each entry into the diary begins with a passage that connects the reader to the lives of the wolves. For instance, when the dandelions become silver, we are told to look to the north as that is when wolf pups are being born. While the reader may be unfamiliar with the tundra, he will be familiar with when dandelions seed in his area. It's an effective literary device.

The illustrations included are nice. I read this with my students each year. We learn about the hierarchy of the wolf pack with alphas and betas, the assistants, and yearlings.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
Look to the North A Wolf Pup Diary is a story about the lives of a young wolf growing up and what they go through to turn them into full grown wolfs, 10 and a half months later. The story is that of three young pups, Boulder, Scree, and Talus, growing up and how the weather and Mother Nature tells us where the pups are in their growing up stages of life. The illustrations in this picture book are very well drawn and help tell the story for those children who cannot read very well.
Response:
“When firecrackers shoot skyward, look to the north. Wolf pups are learning wolf talk.”
I chose this quote, there are many others like it, because it helps students connect this book with their personal life. Also it when they students notice the firecrackers in the sky, they will think back to this book and wonder what the wolfs are doing.
Classroom Connection:
The students could decorate their classrooms with pictures of wolf pups and what they are doing based upon the timing of the year and what is going on.
Text Complexity:
580L

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary- This book is a nonfiction story of the life cycle of a wolf from pup to adulthood. The first page starts with the birth of a wolf pup weighing about a pound. At ten days old their eyes will open and they will become more adventurous. At three weeks old they gain the ability to hear. By twelve weeks old a pup will have learned the packs wolf "talk". At around 16 weeks the pups will start their hunting training, which is more advanced then the playful games they have been playing up until this point. Till they are six months old and will join the pack on small hunting missions. At seven months old a wolf pup is full grown. At 10.5 months the females are ready to breed.
Reaction- My favorite part of this story is how the author added extra details to clarify the time line and where it is on the calender due to the wolfs matting schedule. An example of this is "when the yellow warblers return from the south."

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just received this in the mail today, and have read it 3 times. My 8-yr-old has carried it around with him all day, even taking it to Cub Scouts tonight.

Each 2 page spread has a lovely illustration of the pups (or parents) with some general information of what is happening in their development. It's told in story format, giving names to the 3 little wolves. It's sweet, gentle and informative. And my reluctant reader is poring over it....so I love it!

I hope to find other books similar to this. And in case you're wondering, Talus is the BEST of the wolf pups.

[Melissa Housholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about three wolf pups. This is a fictional story with non-fictional information. It goes through the lives of the three pups from the moment they are born. It also gives real life examples as to when these things are happening. Such as, "When you see dandelions turning silver, look to the north. Wolf pups are being born." That way the kids can see these things in their own backyard, park or wherever and put together what is going on with the wolf community. The illustrations in this book are simply amazing as well.

[Jared Kling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great informational book about wolves, because this book gives you details on the wolves lives that you may have not know. While also keeping the story line of the main three wolves the book follows fun and enjoyable to read. I thought that it was very interesting that wolves aren’t able to see until they are 10 days old and aren’t able to hear until about 3 weeks old. This book is filled with fun facts about wolves like those. This book would be a great book to read aloud to students that seems like a fun story but really offers a lot of information on wolves.

[Corban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is brilliant and we have since read more of her works, but this book started it all. The illustrations are majestic and extremely detailed. This story book follows 3 pups for almost their first year of life. I particularly appreciated how the development of wolf pups was related other noticeable events, for example, "When the crickets are chirping, look to the north. Wolf pups are learning adult wolf talk.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is written so well and ids are going to love it. Not only that but it lets kids understand what is happening to wolves but other things they see and do through out the year. Well done!

[Kya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome! Beautiful scenery in the illustrations, super informational about the early life of a wolf, all tied together by things going on elsewhere! It relates what the kids do to what is happening to the wolves, which can create an understandable timeline.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of 3 wolf pups that provides a scientific overview of how they mature over the first year of their lives. Although it is a little dry at times, it does provide a lot of great information on wolf pack dynamics for inquisitive little animal lovers.

[Lucia]

they are cute but fisty

[Krista Liebrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this at a young age and just felll in love with it.

[Esodhiambo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diary
Informative fiction
Named wolves
Realistic

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora and I enjoyed this book about the first year of wolf pups.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic storybook with facts that bring the tundra to tiny Texas girls. Delightful treasure to be read over and over again.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done book about wolves, told as if you are watching from down south. Ties it in with what is happening here, to what is happening up north with the wolf pups.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

More information about wolves than I would have expected in a book twice this long accompanied by absolutely adorable pictures. I love the inclusion of wolves caring for other adult members of the pack when they are sick or injured, and that traits beyond the expected size and strength can contribute to a wolf's status, such as having a really good nose (sense of smell).

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet, informative, and engaging. Jed loved it.

[Erin Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another book I read with my 3rd grade class as a mentor text for our nonfiction unit. It was very well written, very informative, and super adorable! I mean what’s not to love about little wolf puppies!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good!

[Lorie]

Author pov in front; life cycle of wolf

[The Docta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a new word. Wolves are awesome.