Kirkus Reviews

Lush, naturalistic paintings and gentle, carefully chosen words celebrate the return of wolves to the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. Longtime collaborators George and Minor seem perfectly suited to tell the story of the elimination of the species there by 1926 and its successful reintroduction since 1995. Regular repetition of the title phrase (or "the wolves were gone") adds a poetic cadence to George's text, which emphasizes the importance of gray wolves to the web of life in the park. Minor's watercolor-and-gouache illustrations have texture and depth, focusing closely on individual species—moose, ravens, vesper sparrows, buffalo, beaver, badger, bear and more—in the context of the spectacle of that vast wilderness. This timely, beautiful picture book appears just as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepares to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from the list of endangered and protected species, a hopeful indicator of a wrong made right. For reading aloud or reading alone, this is a splendid way to share an appreciation for the natural world. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-12)

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Starred Review In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone Park rst time they had been part of the park's ecosystem for many years. Although George follows one wolf's growth from pup to adult, the emphasis here is not as much on the wolves and their habits, but on how their presence has changed the ecosystem and returned its natural balance. In just one example, the wolves drove the elk herds to seek refuge higher in the hills, causing the valley grasses to grow taller, allowing for the return of the Vesper sparrow, which uses the grasses for food and nests. George writes about each of the changes caused by the wolves' return in simple, rhythmic, informative prose. Adding to the book's appeal are Minor's finely detailed illustrations, featuring spectacularly rendered animals in the foreground of the bold, western landscapes. Together the words and pictures make for a highly effective and enjoyable explanation of how the presence of one animal can profoundly affect an ecosystem. Match this with Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's When the Wolves Returned (2008).

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-An uplifting, lyrical story of how wolves were returned to Yellowstone Park after having been aggressively hunted throughout the United States. By 1926, there were no more wolves in the 48 states; the directors of the national parks wanted only "gentle animals." When people realized that nobody had ever been attacked by a wolf, 10 Canadian wolves were released into Yellowstone in 1995, and their numbers increased. Minor's realistic illustrations in natural tones give depth to the sense of joy one experiences through seeing the wolves and other animals restored to a balance of nature. The art, some full page, some full spread, captures life in the park, with its bears, birds, bison, and beavers, its bees, butterflies, and dragonflies. Almost every paragraph ends with the simple but effective refrain, "The wolves were back." Although this is not a detailed account of how the animals live, it is full of facts that children will enjoy as they reflect on the flora and fauna of the area, and on the need to protect our wildlife. This would be a great book for reading aloud, as well as for independent enjoyment.-Esther Moberg, Creswell Library, OR Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

George presents the results of the reintroduction of wolves into the Yellowstone ecosystem through the eyes of a wolf pup as he encounters the park's diverse flora and fauna. Minor's illustrations capture the joy of springtime promise, putting readers at eye level with our wolf pup as he traverses the lushly green environment and interacts with other park life. Websites. Bib.