Wolf's Belly: A Sneak Peak at an awesome new graphic novel

Wolf's Belly by John August, illustrated (brilliantly) by Simon Estrada is an incredible granphic novel being published by Macmillan and coming out July, 2026. And I know July 2026 is feels far away but I got a sneak peak at it and am really excited about it.

Overview:

Wolf's Belly is the story of Little Red Riding Hood, with a lovely twist to it. It is the story of Lu, a spirited girl with a vibrant red cloak who sets out (unbeknownst to her famiily who think she's just off visiting her grandmother) to kill the large, fearsome wolf who's been terrorizing their villiage. In this rendition, while Lu sets a trap for the wolf - with her brother's mouth-watering blueberry scones - he doesn't show up. Disappointed, Lu heads to her granny's house where she finds the wolf who's already swallowed Granny whole. The wolf then swallows Lu.

Inside he belly, Lu finds the boy who cried wolf (his name is Aaron), a knight, a fisherman, her grandmother, the fourth Little Pig, and many, many more stranded people who have been eaten by the wolf. While the others have lost hope of ever getting out of the belly (there is a bottomless 'lake' at the pit of the wolf's stomach filled with fish (that Lu refuses to eat), Lu is determined to find a way out.

In this wonderful romp, Lu eventually learns that, "All great acheivements begin with desire and dissatisfaction...But one must tend that fire carefully or else it will burn out of control."

This is an engaging story from the very start and will be loved by children of all ages and lovers of folk and fairy tales. This story is wonderfully creative and is beautifully told and illustrated. It will be enjoyed at home or in school. I highly recommend it.

Teaching or Book Club teaching/talking point suggestions:

• Have readers tease out the various other fairytales that are woven into this story such as

  • The Three, now four Little Pigs

  • The Boy who Cried Wolf

  • Jack and the Beanstalk

• Brainstorm how other fairy tales might be woven into this one;

• Discuss burning ambition and how it helps and hurts the final outcome

• Discuss book themes such as how students handle disappointment, overachievement, the price of being a perfectionist.

• Have students write their own versions of fairytales of their choice;

I know this isn't out for a while but I'd love to hear your comments. And please feel free to share other teaching/discussion ideas you may have.

As always, thanks for your visit. I hope you enjoy both the book and my notes.