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Jennifer Senick: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
Is it possible for one small act of kindness to make a big difference? Alison Bellringer’s The Wolf Cub tells the gentle, heartfelt tale of Lewis, a shy young boy living in a quiet village. His closest companions are the forest animals that live nearby, whom he visits when his mom is at work. He likes talking to them and finds spending time with them comforting. His life changes when he meets an injured mother wolf. She entrusts her young cub to the child to care for it. From then on, Lewis and the wolf cub, Blue Merle, form an inseparable bond. Together, they face the challenges of loss, new beginnings, and growing up. At its heart, this story is about thoughtfulness and acceptance of others, while also exploring friendship, strength, and our connection to nature. After finishing The Wolf Cub, one word comes to mind: empathy. This book is perfect for teaching kids how others feel. It could also be used to spark conversations about responsibility, different family structures, and what it means to care for others, both people and wildlife. Extension activities could include writing about unlikely friendships or creating lists of ways to help local wildlife. I think that even without illustrations, the vivid descriptions make it easy for readers to picture scenes, such as the meadow being described as “covered in pretty, colourful wildflowers, and lots of animals liked coming to drink from the shallow pool.” Teachers and parents alike will find it a meaningful addition to lessons on compassion, community, and caring for the world around us
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Luwi Nyakansaila: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Wolf Cub by Alison Bellringer is a heartwarming children's story that follows Lewis, a young boy living with his widowed mother near a forest. Although many people in their small village care for him and his mother, Lewis prefers the company of wild animals. He is captivated by the sounds of nature and the activities of the creatures that inhabit it. One day, Lewis stumbles upon a wounded wolf, who gives him her baby cub. He immediately feels a sense of purpose in taking care of the cub… The two develop a strong bond and are almost inseparable. However, as reports of night attacks on chickens in the village increase, the villagers begin to look at Blue Merle with suspicion. Lewis fears that if they discover he has a wolf as a friend, the cub might face the same fate as his mother. The Wolf Cub is a touching and inspiring tale that explores themes of compassion, kindness, bravery, and prejudice. It celebrates the unique bond between humans and animals, showing how friendship can thrive between even the most unlikely pairs… Readers of all ages can learn from his example and become more empathetic toward others… Blue Merle, despite being a wolf, is gentle, kind, and brave. Bellringer's soothing narrative and vivid descriptions bring the woodland setting and characters to life. The setting is depicted as a place of quiet beauty, with a bustling village life and heartfelt moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend sharing it with your children to instill values of kindness and the importance of not judging others too quickly
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Pikasho Deka: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Wolf Cub is a children's tale by Alison Bellringer. Lewis is a four-year-old. All he wants is to wander in the nearby forest when his mother, Mrs. Cartlow, is in the tailor's shop working as a seamstress… One day, while sitting by his favorite watering hole, Lewis encounters a wolf. Not just any wolf, but an injured wolf with a cub by her side. Soon, she leaves her cub with Lewis and embraces her fate. Suddenly, young Lewis finds himself responsible for taking care of little Blue Merle. Will his mother find out? What happens when Blue Merle grows up? The Wolf Cub is a heartwarming adventure for kids. This is the perfect book to teach children about empathy for animals. Bellringer's character work is stellar. The author masterfully captures the psyche of a young child in the narrative with the depiction of Lewis. Keeping an unhurried pace, Bellringer allows readers to fully immerse themselves in a fascinating world while weaving a plot that is both captivating and deeply moving. Lewis is someone who will inspire kids. His bond with Blue Merle tugs at your heartstrings and makes you root for both youngsters. I also enjoyed Lewis's relationship dynamic with his mother. The ending took me by surprise, but it was satisfying nonetheless. All in all, it's a delightful adventure that makes for a perfect bedtime read.
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Jamie Michele: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Wolf Cub by Alison Bellringer follows four-year-old Lewis, who lives with his mother in a cottage at the edge of a forest near a village. While wandering through the woods and along the village streets, Lewis notices animals that he names and meets neighbors who offer small lessons and kindnesses. One day, a wolf cub is brought to Lewis by its injured mother in the forest. Lewis names him Blue Merle. He guides the cub as it investigates the cottage and the village, introducing it to the world around him while learning from what he sees. Together they spend days observing, interacting with people and animals, and discovering their surroundings, moving between the forest and village. Their shared routines, encounters, and small discoveries shape Lewis’s days, forming a quiet companionship that grows gradually with each passing season. The Wolf Cub celebrates the tender development of trust and companionship between a young boy and a wolf cub. Instead of following a conventional plot, the story focuses on moments that reveal characters, relationships, and the environment through Lewis’s growing responsibility and his bond with the cub. Bellringer’s attention to detail brings both village and forest to life, showing readers Lewis guiding Blue Merle through everyday discoveries and routines. Interactions with animals, neighbors, and his mother convey patience, attentiveness, and the gentle patterns of shared life. The style of writing is very simple and straightforward, and my daughter and I enjoyed reading it a few chapters at a time over the course of three evenings. The book provides an intimate glimpse into the gradual building of trust, observation, and companionship, leaving a lasting impression on readers of all ages.
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Carol Thompson: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Wolf Cub by Alison Bellringer captures the bond between a young boy and a wolf cub. Set against the backdrop of a quaint village and a sprawling forest, the story follows Lewis, a shy and curious four-year-old, as he navigates life after his father’s death. Left to explore the world on his own while his mother works tirelessly as a seamstress, Lewis finds solace in the company of woodland creatures and the enchanting forest near his home. The story takes a heartfelt turn when Lewis sees a wounded mother wolf who entrusts her cub to him before vanishing into the forest. From that moment on, Lewis and the cub, whom he names Blue Merle, form a strong bond. The story follows Lewis as he takes on the responsibility of raising Blue Merle and learns about life, love, and the struggles of growing up. Bellringer’s love for animals shines through in her portrayal of the wolf cub and other creatures, making them essential to the story’s emotional core. As Blue Merle grows into a majestic adult wolf, the story explores the challenges of raising a wild animal in a human environment. The narrative takes a suspenseful turn when the village is struck by a series of mysterious attacks, sparking suspicion and fear. Through these moments, the story emphasizes the importance of trust, understanding, and standing up for what is right. The Wolf Cub is a touching and uplifting story that celebrates the power of love and the special bonds that can develop between humans and animals. It is a delightful read for all ages, offering a glimpse into the beauty of nature and the strength of the human spirit.
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Pacific Book Review, 2025
If there is one thing most people in the world can agree on, it is the need for people to feel to have some sort of community to be a part of. To have that sense of belonging, of safety and comfort as you are surrounded by other people who share a sense of love and acceptance for one another… Community is the bond that brings the characters of author Alison Bellringer’s The Wolf Cub together. The story follows Lewis, a young boy in a small village who spends his days in a clearing conversing with local woodland creatures. Alone and unable to attend school with other children, Lewis takes to talking with these creatures and finding a sense of calm among animals. One day, his world changes forever when fate brings him and a wolf cub together, and soon their lives become intertwined in ways they couldn’t imagine. A rich, compelling and engaging children’s short story, this book expertly crafts a narrative that feels both steeped in realism yet fantastic all at once. The imagery of the woods and the small village this story takes place in is so vivid that it allows readers to feel instantly transported, and the dynamic between Lewis and the wolf cub is the heart of this story, as readers see the bond and the love that forms between the two instantly as Lewis empathizes with the creature and the circumstances that bring them together. The pacing is perfect too, giving far more detail than a typical children’s book without crossing that middle-grade level of reading. For readers who enjoy children’s books, especially those which take on a fable or fairy tale like quality of storytelling while also being written in a short story format will absolutely fall in love with this book. The emotional pull of this narrative was immediate as well, with the tragedy that brings the wolf cub to Lewis instantly making readers tear up and the protective nature Lewis has for the wolf cub as they grow up together will instantly connect with pet parents and animal conservationists alike. A beautiful blend of projects like Charlotte’s Web and The Fox and the Hound, this book speaks to the need to protect and preserve the animal wildlife of our world and also showcases why it is important not to judge anyone by their looks or reputation but instead by the good deeds they perform and the way they treat others through strong and powerful themes.
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Ruth: Special Education Teacher, 2025
I highly recommend The Wolf Cub by Alison Bellringer. It is a sweet story with a good underlying message about not judging based on stereotypes. As a teacher, the rich, descriptive language made it a joy to read aloud and helped to maintain the attention of those in my class while also providing the opportunity to expand students' vocabularies. It was also great to have positive role models for both children who are shy and for those who have experienced bereavement.
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The Children’s Book Review
“Reminiscent of old fairy tales, The Wolf Cub is about trust, nurturing, and caring for
those around us… A kind, sensitive, and curious protagonist, Lewis is the perfect hero for a story about animal friendships… Most importantly, the story models kindness and acceptance on every page, assisting readers to imagine a world in which real-life problems can have happy—and even magical—endings… The Wolf Cub is a gentle, sweet story about friendship and kindness, great for teaching readers about community and care.
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