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Screenwise Verdict
Wolfie the Bunny is a total win. It manages to be sweet without being sappy and smart without being condescending.
In a sea of 'I’m a big sister now' books that feel like they were written by a corporate HR department, Ame Dyckman actually captures the weird, paranoid, and eventually fierce love that comes with siblings. The art is fantastic, the pacing is snappy, and it’s one of those rare books you won't mind reading for the 50th time at bedtime.
Age Fit
Best for the 3-to-7 crowd. It’s simple enough for preschoolers to follow but the deadpan humor and 'nature vs. nurture' subtext will keep 1st and 2nd graders laughing.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
95
It’s a heart-melting story about a bunny family that adopts a wolf baby. While the sister, Dot, is convinced he's a predator, the parents' unconditional love and Dot's eventual protective streak are peak wholesome content without being saccharine.
Imaginative
90
The 'wolf in sheep's clothing' (or in this case, bunny pajamas) concept is flipped on its head. Zachariah OHora’s bold, quirky illustrations give it a distinct visual personality that stands out from generic picture books.
Safe
100
It's a picture book for small children. The only 'danger' is the comedic threat of being eaten, which is played entirely for laughs and resolved through sibling bonding.
Enriching
92
Perfect for families navigating adoption or the arrival of a new sibling. It validates a child's anxiety about a new arrival while showing how those fears usually turn into affection.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Subverts the tired 'new baby' trope with actual humor and edge.
The illustrations are stylish and modern, not that soft-focus watercolor stuff that bores kids.
Great for kids who are feeling a little 'displaced' by a new sibling or an adopted family member.
It’s actually funny for the person reading it aloud, which is a rare gift in the picture book world.
⚠
What to Watch For
Dot is pretty blunt about her fear of being eaten, which could maybe—maybe—spook a very literal 2-year-old.
The parents are hilariously oblivious, which is a vibe, but don't expect them to be 'expert' models of vigilance.
Conversation Starters
"Why was Dot so sure Wolfie was going to eat them?"
"How did Dot's feelings change when she saw Wolfie was scared of the bear?"
"What makes someone a brother or a sister even if they don't look like you?"
"Have you ever felt like a new person was 'taking over' your space?"
