Gr 2–5—Terrified of wolves, a sheep with a hunger for blackberries and a talent for crafting devises a clever plan to
dress up as his greatest fear, with surprising results. Spacious panels and atmospheric illustrations augment both
the humor and the menace for chapter book readers.

We all know about the wolf in sheep's clothing, but this is a sheep in a wolf suit. I read this as a metaphor for acting tough because you're afraid of being perceived as weak or vulnerable. A world where we all pretend to be predators because we don't want to be prey is very troubling. But this has a mostly cute happy ending.

There is an illustration of Bellwether sleeping after eating berries, but when I was skimming through the book I thought it looked like he was bloody and dead. Maybe that's another reason I perceive this book as kind of dark.

My library has this in graphic novels, and while it has some panels, it seems like a very long picture book with many full-page illustrations. There are six chapters, so I'm tagging it as an early chapter book. ( )

Really loved the story and the illustrations. ( )

Bellwether Riggwelter has two passions in life : sewing and blackberries. As he is once again out of the delicious berries, he decides to explore the forest looking for a new harvest. But there are wolves in the woods. And they are so scary ! Never mind ! The sheep has a brilliant idea : he will sew a Wolf Suit, so no ferocious creature will recognize him !

The Wolf Suit is a graphic novel, but can also be considered as a picture book. Intended for Middle Grade children, it will be enjoyed by adults as well. Sid Sharp’s hand-painted illustrations are extraordinary. Simple and colorful, they introduce the reader to the main character, Bellwether Riggwelter, a small sheep scared by everything. The creature has a sad life, locked in his house in the dark everyday, as he is terrified by what is hiding in the forest. Even if the story can be considered as scary for younger readers, because of the wolf character, it is also extremely funny.

The idea of “wolf in sheep’s clothing” takes its full meaning in this story. Nothing and nobody is really as they appear and the proverb “don't judge a book by its cover” also works really well. I really enjoyed this book. It is surprising. Really unusual. And for those that would hesitate to read it because it seems sad and scary, it really isn’t. Bellwether Riggwelter story has a happy ending. ( )