About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
"The story is really told by the big, bright pictures—which glow with the rhythms and beauties of this remote habitat...Enthralling fare for budding naturalists." —Kirkus Reviews
The Great Bear Rainforest is a majestic place full of tall trees, huge bears and endless schools of salmon. Award-winning photographer and author Ian McAllister's luminous photographs illustrate the story of a lone wolf who swims to one of the small islands that dot the rainforest's coast. The island provides him with everything he needs—deer, salmon, fresh water—everything, that is, but a mate. When a female wolf arrives on the island's rocky shores, she and he start a family and introduce their pups to the island's bounty.
Wolf Island is part of the My Great Bear Rainforest series, which includes The Seal Garden, A Bear's Life and A Whale's World.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 3 to 5
- Grade:
- p to k
- Reading age:
- 3 to 5
Awards
- Short-listed, BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize
- Winner, Animal Behavior Society Outstanding Children’s Book Award
- , Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award
- Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books
Editorial Reviews
"Filled with beautiful color photographs of the wolves that live in the Great Bear Rainforest...This is definitely one that will be enjoyed by children who love wolves."
— Youth Services Book Reviews
"Striking photographs chronicle the life span of a male wolf in the Great Bear Rainforest...Careful and varied page layouts include concise, vivid language that describes his journey and images that bring the reader up close—all this is missing is the feeling of misty air on skin...This well-made title offers great visual detail supported by age-appropriate text."
— School Library Journal
“Will entice readers and offer them insights and food for thought about the ongoing environmental issues that will be so much a part of their lives as they grow up.”
— Children's Literature
"This non-fiction narrative is filled with facts and scientific details to explain the habitat and lifestyle of wolves living on an island. Their story is compelling and interesting. The photography in this book is stunning with panoramic views and detailed close-up images to support the text...This book is a good choice for those looking for engaging narrative nonfiction."
— School Library Connection
"Visually spectacular, Wolf Island and A Bear's Life work best as a pair, showing how different types of animals navigate the vast and ancient rainforest in both different and similar ways. Read together, these books—and undoubtedly any others that will be added to the series in the future—provide opportunities for readers to compare and contrast the habits, homes and personalities of some of their favourite animals in a highly engaging and informative way. Full of universal themes the books in the My Great Bear Rainforest series will delight readers of all interests and abilities. "
— Canadian Children's Book News
"Readers will find much to like about the written account of the wolf's first year on his own...With Ian McAllister's wondrous photos and Nicholas Read's accessible text, young readers are sure to learn why it is of great importance to protect and sustain the Great Bear Rainforest."
— Sal's Fiction Addiction
"On this adventure the reader learns many fascinating facts about the sea wolves...Each beautiful photograph enhances and illustrates the corresponding text...Wolf Island is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. The book would be a useful addition to study units on nature, ecological systems, habitat and, of course, wolves. It is also an excellent read-aloud for any story time group."
— Resource Links
“This is an engagingly up-close visit with the species.”
— The Horn Book Online
"This is a good book for anyone who reads in because it is interesting."
— Ben, age 7, grade 2, Canadian Teacher
"The story is really told by the big, bright pictures—which glow with the rhythms and beauties of this remote habitat...Enthralling fare for budding naturalists."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Wolf Island is an absolutely gorgeous book with amazing photographs and text explaining the life of a wolf in simple and evocative language. The book will be a great addition to all libraries. While the book is intended for those in the early grades, there is enough here to intrest older readers, leading them to the other books by this author/photographer pair and to other nature stories and nonfiction. What more can you ask for? Highly recommended."
— CM Magazine
