The Wolf in Underpants

Cozy knitwear changes lives in this graphic novel about a fear-mongering woodland populace. Stressing over the local wolf has become the community’s raison d’être and an engine of the local forest economy. Bunnies, foxes, turtles, and other animals support a ragtag antiwolf brigade of badgers (“This forest pays a lot for them, but it’s worth it”), read wolf crime novels, and line up for dubious antiwolf hazelnut products. Then the actual wolf shows up wearing striped red-and-white underpants and reveals that he was never a threat at all. The “icy cry” and “crazy eyes” that strike fear in forest hearts? All due to “chilly buttocks”—a problem solved by the “life-changing” knit undies (“Comfort! It’s so important”). “Sorry,” he tells the shocked critters, not a little disgusted by their hateful behavior, “but maybe you need more in your lives than just fear.” Drawings by Itoiz and Cauuet’s are gems of comic timing and choreography, and the sly translation by Lupano (Curtain Call for adults) makes this satirical—and unavoidably relevant—tale worthy of joining the canon of classic Big Bad Wolf spoofs. Ages 7–11. [em](Mar.) [/em]