There's a Wolf at the Door: Five Classic Tales

By Rebecca Buchanan
March 23, 2009

Title: There's a Wolf at the Door: Five Classic Tales
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook Press
Author: Zoe B. Alley
Illustrator: R.W. Alley
ISBN: 978-1-59643-275-8
Price: $19.95 US

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs named Alan, Gordon, and Blake who set out into the world to make homes for themselves .... And a little red-headed girl named Rhonda who would only wear red clothing (especially haute couture), even when visiting her Granny .... And a very very bored shepherd boy who just wanted some excitement .... And seven little goslings left to fend for themselves while Mom was away .... And one very hungry Wolf who only wanted what all wolves want: a good dinner. Too bad for this Wolf that none of his prospective meals felt like cooperating ....

Wow. Just wow. What an absolutely wonderful children's book. The word for this book: clever. And adorable.

Author Zoe Alley has a great ear for verbal puns and witticisms. For instance, after the first little pig built his house of straw "...a hungry wolf appeared, smelling fresh pork chops on the wind." In a later chapter, when the Wolf reaches Granny's cottage, the caption explains "He knocked." The Wolf turns to glare at the reader and snaps "I do have some manners, you know!" In the final chapter, seven goslings are home alone. As the text explains "Alphonse was in charge. He was thrilled. He was also having authority issues." (None of his siblings would listen to him.)

R.W. Alley's illustrations are the perfect compliment to Zoe Alley's text. For instance, when the Wolf finally gives up on the three little pigs, the caption explains "Scared, hungry, and tired of rhyming, the wolf ran and ran until he reached greener pastures." And there at the bottom of the page is a sign that says Greener Pastures This Way with a series of green-tinted arrows leading right into the next chapter. When Barry the shepherd decides that "What this pasture needs is some excitement! Some danger! Some predators!" each successive phrase becomes bolder and more colorful. When the sheep themselves finally drive off the Wolf, he heads for the woods — where a helpful sign with an arrow points him To Granny's House — where he finds a wool rug that inspires his next grand idea.

The fairy tale world the Alleys have created is a fun mixture of real and imaginary, contemporary and historical. The clothing that people wear is both medievalesque and modern, with bits of other eras thrown in. Buildings tend to be brick or cottage-like, with large windows and decorative swirls and curlicues, often bigger on the inside than the outside. At the same time, one woman who runs to help Barry the shepherd is holding a hair dryer and a delivery guy on a scooter drops off a package with the Wolf. Just the sort of imaginary world a child could get happily lost in.

There's a Wolf at the Door is one of those rare, deliciously clever books that you can read to a child over and over again — and each time you'll find something new. Highly recommended to fans of Fables, Glister and trickster tales. Here's hoping the Alleys are planning more books.

Roaring Brook Press