Sirko and the Wolf

by Eric A. Kimmel, Robert Sauber (Illustrator)

A dog and a wolf help each other in time of need in this Ukrainian tale explaining why dogs and wolves are forever friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimmel does it again. Great story, illustrator chosen perfectly appropriately. 4.5 stars rounded up because I want all of you who share books with children to check this out. Just be aware the pix are sort of dark and won't work well at bedside. (And there is one scary image so make sure your children can understand that it's not real but just play-acting.)

The dog is adorable, the wolf is authentically a predator but not a man-eater, the people's motivations and actions plausible, the Ukrainian setting interesting.

I love that in addition to the stated lesson of the author's note, "Like dogs and wolves, people of different backgrounds can live together. They can even become good friends, as long as the masters--kings, czars, and commissars--don't interfere," there is an additional strong lesson about gratitude, and yet another that references Aesop's 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.'

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a lifetime of devoted service to his human family - herding his master's sheep, protecting the house - Sirko the dog finds himself abandoned in this retelling of a Ukrainian tale, left to fend for himself on the cold and lonely steppe because he has grown too old to work. Howling his despair, he draws the attention of a nearby wolf, who, coming to investigate, suggests a surefire plan that will allow Sirko to ingratiate himself once again with his family. Setting up a fake threat to the family baby, one in which Sirko is seen bravely charging to the rescue, the canine cousins succeed in their object of restoring Sirko to his rightful place, and the grateful dog - conscious of what he owes to his wild counterpart - decides that he must repay his debt...

I always look, when reading an adaptation of a traditional tale, to see whether the author has included any information as to source, and - if he has - I often find further reading ideas. In this case, as it happens, Kimmel's source for Sirko and the Wolf was one I had already encountered: Irina Zheleznova's Ukrainian Folk Tales ! I enjoyed his retelling of the story, particularly the wolf's rather pointed line - "No creature is as ungrateful as a human being" - which seems to highlight one of the didactic purposes of the tale. I also appreciated Robert Sauber's lovely illustrations, which are so much more appealing than the cover image led me to expect. All in all, an engaging addition to any young folklorist's shelf, particularly those with an interest in Ukraine, or a love of canines.

[Tricia Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Cheryl, my Goodreads buddy, I picked up this beautiful story. Eric Kimmel has always been one of my favorite children's authors. In this book he tells a beautiful Ukrainian story about how dogs and wolves are related. Gorgeous illustrations by Sauber. Moral: We might all be different, but we can still be friends. Actual rating: 4.5

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book, both story and illustrations. It ought to tug at some heartstrings and cause people to think about what is important and how is gratitude rewarded. Everyone learns a good lesson.

[Anna Zehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story with luscious illustrations. A good addition to a folktale collection.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This legend explains why dogs howl when they hear wolves howling, a reminder of their family ties and friendship. The painting of the dog and wolf are realistic and beautiful, but the people appear a little bit off. Some of the pages are overly dark. In the author's note, Kimmel explains his close personal ties to the story.

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book with students during our library time and then we talked about wolves and dogs and how they are alike and how they are different. This is also a story from another country so we looked where this country is on the map in comparison to where we are.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs and wolves, cousins with very different lives. Good story, lively pictures, and an author’s note which tells how the people of Ukraine and Russia might live peacefully if the politicians get out of the way.

[Thomas Andrikus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adaptation of a version in Irina Zheleznova's Ukrainian Folk Tales shows how, like dogs and wolves, people of different backgrounds can live together. An enjoyable read.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting and there wasn't something specific exactly that made me not like it but rather as a whole it was just ok. I can see the perspective of the farmer somewhat in that all animals must have a purpose to earn their keep. He just didn't realize the dog could protect the baby after being more in its retirement years. I can see how the wolf valued freedom but the dog liked having access to warmth and regular food. The author's note was interesting.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is derived from a Ukrainian folktale, according to the author. It tells why dogs and wolves are friends.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off like many versions of The Bremen Town Musicians, but goes somewhere else entirely. Pictures are not that great.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adapted from a Ukrainian folk tale; great illustrations; wonderful story.