Wolves in the Walls

           

Lucy told her family that wolves were in the walls. Her family did not believe her, but her pig puppet did. When the elephants came Lucy told her puppet. She did not tell her family.

            Neil Gaiman’s picture book THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS is stirring and fabulous. His language is simple yet his repetitious style heightens his story adding tasteful rhythm and intrigue. Gaiman’s premise is apt since he uses young Lucy as the heroine instead of her brother. His premise seems to rupture the male chauvinistic notion that men are the protectors of their homes. Third graders and fourth graders will see Lucy motivating her family and leading them against a pack of intrusive wolves. Using abstract settings with the sinister interior of walls, the barn, and the garden adds extra eerie effects. Gaiman creates riotous conflicts with his wolves invading and ousting a family from a home. He projects lame adults who are unable to detect the wolves and protect their children. This seems to be an interesting and provocative twist since readers may ask to whom children should look to for protection. Moreover, what role is inattentive adults playing in their children’s lives? Gaiman’s courageous-child-protagonist is insightful and admirable. She exhibits apt ability to combat the villainous wolves and evict them from her home although she is afraid. The concept of wolves living in walls and possessing human characteristics is creepy and unique. Having wolves chase humans from humans’ comfy home to inhabit the dismal interior walls where the wolves lived is hilarious and ingenious. Dave McKean’s abstract illustrations are elegantly sinister and cleverly propel this story. His style of sharp angles and his use of tiny-specked eyes conjure up haunting effects that add awe and enchantment to Gaiman’s picture book. McKean uses vivid reds, browns, greens, yellows and other vibrantly, haunting colors to spook his illustrations. His art flows lucidly with the mystical tone and playful language of Gaiman’s story. THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS is a brilliant picture book that is worthy of being an award-winning New York Times best-seller.