ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 1993)

As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any way detracting from the fierce beauty of the wolves' wild nature. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 1993)

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1993)

The handsome introduction to the species provides a contrast between the fictional role often assigned to the wolf and a factual description of the physiology and sociology of the animal. The carefully credited color photographs combine the beauty of the wolf with the natural beauty of its habitat to effect a dramatic backdrop for the text.

Kirkus Reviews

Varieties, life cycle, pack and hunting behavior, and the current status of this endangered predator—although with what may seem too many transparently rhetorical questions (Are wolves savage and destructive hunters of people and livestock?'') and fillers (After wolves kill a large animal, they may rest for a brief time or eat right away''). Without attribution, Simon states that ...there is no record of a healthy wolf ever trying to kill a human in North America.'' In Gray Wolf, Red Wolf (1990, for slightly older readers), Patent is more precise:there is no record of a healthy wild wolf attacking a human.'' Patent also does a better job of stating the case for and against reintroducing wolves in national parks. Still, though his text isn't up to his usual high standard, Simon again selects outstanding photos—this book's strongest and most appealing feature. (Nonfiction. 8-10)"

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as loyalty, cooperation, and adaptability. A broad range of information is touched upon lightly, including physical characteristics, habitat, hunting and diet, breeding and raising pups, and some unique facts about pack hierarchy and howling. An introduction uses imagery to conjure up the spirit of the wolf; the conclusion touches on the animal's past and questionable future. An attractive and simple introduction, but Candace Savage's Wolves (Sierra, 1989) has more to offer.-Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System