Review Detail

The lonely days of Sylvester the wolf are brightened by a red teddy he finds in the snow, in this tale of friends found, lost, and found again, and the enduring bond between a child (or grown up) and their stuffed animal.

This simple winter story is packed full of meaning. The characters of Sylvester and Poppy have all the heartwarming whimsy of fairytale, where these critters play the main role, while their experiences also illuminate emotions that readers may experience. Through Sylvester, we see that one gets used to being alone, and may only feel lonely when friends have arrived and left again. There is sacrifice, when the wolf decides to put others first and let Poppy return to her happy home. Then finally, everyone gets their happy ending, when Sylvester is reunited with family that had thought him long lost.

Simple storytelling and ink and watercolor illustrations bring the wintery woods to life, with both beautifully vibrant colors and sweeping swaths of snowy white. I love how it captures the unique expressions of Sylvester and Poppy, as well as how small the two little friends appear compared to the big wide world. This is a book for bedtime snuggles with fluffy friends and staying warm on winter nights.