Procura-se Lobo

by Ana Maria Machado

Manuel Lobo tem uma missão alertar o mundo sobre o risco de extinção dos lobos das florestas, dos desertos... Mas um anúncio malfeito atraiu uma série de lobos intrometidos tentando desviar o rumo da história. Alguns são lobos maus, assustadores de crianças, mas há também os espertalhões e outros bem bobos. E até uns lobos bonzinhos. Felizmente, Manuel Lobo conhece essa turma toda.

Genres: Picture Books, Wolves, Animals, Childrens, Fantasy, Humor, Fairy Tales

Paperback

First published March 23, 2010

About the author

Ana Maria Machado was born in 1941 in Rio de Janeiro and is, alongside Lygia Bojunga Nunes and Ruth Rocha, one of the most significant children's book authors in Brazil. She started her career as a painter in Rio de Janeiro and New York City. After studying Romance languages she did a PhD with Roland Barthes at the 'École pratique des hautes études' in Paris. She worked as journalist for the magazine 'Elle' in Paris and the BBC in London. In 1979, she opened the first children’s literature bookshop in Brazil, 'Malasartes'.

In 1969, Ana Maria Machado started to write. "I belong to that generation of writers who began to write during the military dictatorship, as children’s literature, alongside poetry and song texts, were amongst the few literary forms with which, through the poetic and symbolic use of language, you could make the ideas of a joie de vivre, individual freedom and respect for human rights known." Her story 'Menina Bonita do laço de fita' (1986) about a white and a black rabbit who marry and have a whole hoard of black, white and black and white patterned children, is a charming book about the living together of diverse ethnic groups. In 'Era uma vez um tirano' (1982) three children defy a tyrant who has forbidden colour, thoughts and any happiness. Without pointing fingers, Ana Maria Machado always dresses up her messages in humorous stories and trusts the ability of her young readers to also read between the lines.

Similar to many Brazilian children’s book authors of her generation, Ana Maria Machado stands in the tradition of the first great children’s book author, Jose Bento Monteiro Lobato (1882–1948). Her writing is marked, in the style of "magical realism", by a subtle mix of social satire and fantastic elements as well as a conscious and playful use of language and narrative structures. In 'História meio ao contrario' (1978), Ana Maria Machado turns the classic narrative structure of the fairy tale on its head and lets her story begin with: "And if they didn’t die, then they are still alive today" and end with "once upon a time".

In 'Bisa Bia, Bisa Bel' (1982), one of her central works, Isabell’s internal dialogue with her dead great-grandmother, Bisa Bia, and her own great-grandchild from the future, Bisa Bel, becomes a magical journey to the invisible connections between the generations, which finally allow Isabell to find her own way. For the author, fantasy also means to expand the sense for space and time and to allow reality and fantasy to mix with each other.
Just as brilliantly in ‘Palavra de Honra’ (2005, Engl: Word of Honour) Machado tells the story of a Luso-Brazilian family which has become very wealthy since their arrival in the 19th century. The reader encounters Letícia, who tries to reconstruct her own story out of the dispersed remains of the family legacy.

Ana Maria Machado has written more than hundred books for children and adults in 17 countries for which she has received the most significant Brazilian awards and many international honours. In 2000, she was awarded the 'Hans Christian Andersen Award' for her life work, the most significant international prize for youth and children’s literature. Ana Maria Machado lives with her family in Rio de Janeiro.

Reviews

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Manny Wolf is hired to read and answer letters from wolves applying for the same job. The premise attracted me, but the writing never gelled and the entire book seemed like one long pointed reference to every random wolf story in history. I think this would have worked in the hands of a more capable writer, but the story fell flat.

The ending of the book explains that Manny is looking for a REAL wolf, which is hard to find because they are endangered animals. Seems like a long build-up for this important environmental message.

[CR · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book says it's about "the importance of wolf conservation" but it's really about the importance of a good CV and cover letter then one page about how there are real wolves in the world in too small print.

[Javier Galíndez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A má reputação dos lobos nas histórias infantis clássicas tem levado ao perigo de extinção dos lobos na vida real. E este assunto, por mais profundo e sério que seja, é explicado de forma tão simples e bonita neste livro que qualquer um que o leia, mesmo adulto, será capaz de entender o mal feito aos lobos.

Eu não lia livros infantis há muito tempo, e retomar esta atividade, mas agora em português, me deixou apaixonado.

[Liz Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoa. Too much. I got frustrated when I stopped recognizing the stories of famous wolves.. Little Red Riding Hood, 3 Little Pigs… but then it started stretching wayyy too far. I lost interest. Good message at the end, if you can make it to the end.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't.

[Grace Batlle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro que pone en perspectiva como la mala reputacion de los lobos en los cuentos ha afectado la realidad de esta especie que esta en peligro de extincion.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

como eu AMO a intertextualidade cara

[Sarah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elisa Amado translated this picture book from its original publication in Brazil. In this story, Manny sees a job advertisement for the wolf. He wants the job, and thinks he's well qualified for it because he knows all about CVs and job expectations. There's only one problem--Manny is human. The only thing about him that is a wolf is his last name. Even though Manny Wolf does not get the job that he wanted because he lacked fur, he does end up getting a job helping the company write letters to all the wolf applicants.

By reading the letters that the wolves sent, Manny can figure out what types of storybook wolves they are, from Little Red Riding Hood to The Three Little Pigs. I was unfamiliar with one story Manny mentioned - the Wolf and the Seven Little Kids. Some of the wolves try to trick Manny with repeat letters, but they can't pull the wool over his eyes. Other appearances are from The Jungle Book and Roman mythology. Applicant after applicant is dismissed. Finally, Manny writes a new advertisement that is more clear on what kind of applicant is needed and the job specifications.

This book provides definitions for CV and other job-related terms in words that kids can understand. The book also introduces the concept of writing cover letters for jobs. I'm looking forward to recommending this book to the guidance counselor at school who has been discussing jobs with kids. Another use of this book would be on teaching clarity in writing.

[Taylor]

Wolf Wanted:
Manny Wolf is a man who applied for a job that he was unqualified for! To his amazement he was given the job to answer all of the applications from all of the wolves because of his writing skills. He answered all types of letters, from the “Wolf of London,” to the “Big, Bad Wolf,” from Little Red Riding Hood. He answered letters from wolves from all over the world! None of the applications were what the agency was looking for. Manny finally read the Classified Ad that the agency was looking for, so Manny rewrote the ad and found very different results! To see what Manny finds, read Wolf Wanted!

(Grades3-5) For an activity I would have the students write a very vague description of something (noun) and give it to a partner to see if they can figure out what they were describing. After the partners exchange descriptions they would tell each other what they were writing about and then rewrite the original description to thoroughly describe the noun they had chose.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading a want ad for a wolf, Manny Wolf applies for a job and is hired-not for the advertised job (they want a real wolf), but to answer the piles of letters from storybook wolves. Manny's letters reveal his strong reading and writing skills as well as the important role wolves have played in literature. The tone suddenly turns serious when Manny revises the ad to more clearly state the need for real wolves because of their risk of extinction. The end notes include information and photos about real wolves.

Although this is an award-winning book in Brazil, the translation is a bit clunky. The premise is inventive and the illustrations are entertaining. It is best suited for an older reader who would clearly understands most of the literary references.

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the visuals--as a kid one of my favorite books was The Jolly Postman because I loved seeing the different letters, and I love that element of this book too. However, the story is really odd--I'm not sure if it's a translation issue or if didn't work in it's native language either. The beginning premise was interesting. I mean, I picked it up because it seemed funny the idea of wolves applying for a job. But then it became about all the fairy tale wolves (and I guess they can't get a job because they're in stories? It wasn't really explained) and then in the end they wanted a real wolf. Umm ok. Because real-world wolves check the want ads? Maybe if a different writer had tackled it, it could've worked.

Story: 2 stars
Images: 4 stars

[Gphatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty cool picture book for older children. It has a very novel take on meta-fiction, with the protagonist reading job applications from various famous wolves in children's literature . . . and history. The latter wolves bring down this book some. Most children will not be familiar with the wolf who raised Romulus and Remus, or the wolf who befriended Francis of Assisi, for example. But for a while, the great concept and the fun children will have recognizing the other, "more famous" wolves, will keep a readers attention. It's a shame that the ending flounders a little, and becomes far more serious than the rest of the book would lead one to expect.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was story was clever but a tad strange, written by an author from Brazil. A company wants to hire a real wolf. Mr. Wolf, a human who kinda looks like a wolf, applies and his hired to read all the applications. Turns out they're all from fictional and fairy tale wolves, not real wolves. The letters are cleverly written to try to fool Mr. Wolf, but he's too well versed in literature to be tricked. How will he ever find a real wolf to hire, especially when real wolves can't read the add or write an application letter? Read and find out the clever solution.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was dragging on with some confusion for its intended young audience and them BAM! it becomes clear at the tail end. It's about wolves being an endangered animal. I do credit the creativity. It is certainly not as dull or preachy as others similarly motivated. The packaging enticed my little boy who thought he was getting something very different, which makes me wish for 1/2 stars options in rating.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool story! I love the want ad and the variety of responses from wolves in different folk tales. I especially love the rewriting of the want ad to be more specific in what they are looking for. A good choice for 3rd-5th as a writing example and fun for lower grades to introduce folk tales with wolves in them.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this picture book although I think that it would be most enjoyed by older readers. I don't think that younger students would understand some of the references to more obscure fables and myths that feature wolves.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has a very good plot throughout the story, however it does get a little confusing towards the middle when more wolves applying for the job just get chunked into the book. I give this 4 stars because I loved the ending & its overall message we hadn't thought of for the conclusion.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book for well-read children!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. I don't know how kids will take it, but I liked it.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

May have lost a little bit about the fables in translation (or I could be ignorant). Good anyway.

[Rshogren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neat book for older students but not K-3.

[Powers Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting play on wolves who appear in fairy tales or other stories with a turn toward real wolves - fun to try to figure out the reference but not great in its telling.

[Sheree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea, great art, but it seemed like the translation was a bit clunky.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with lots of examples of wolves in stories and literature and then follows with facts about wolves worldwide. A picture book read for older children.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever seen a wolf in the unemployment line? Cute and funny!