Shadow and the Ready Time

ISBN: 0911655131

Author: Sheehan, Patty

Condition: New

From Publishers WeeklyIn its pointed mission to teach readers to avoid ``premature sexual behavior,'' this modern-day fable employs a commanding metaphor--wolves and pack life. Unfortunately, it loses its potency by attributing all-too-human sentiment to its wolf characters. When Shadow, an impatient wolf pup, takes to hunting before ``the Ready Time,'' she is swept dangerously down river. Rescued by a ``two-foot,'' she wakes in a fenced reserve where an older, injured wolf (``Nanna'') cares for her and imparts timeworn wisdom (``Sometimes life will be hard. But you can learn whatever you need to''). When Shadow is returned to the wild, she is overwhelmed by fear and loneliness, and yearns for pups of her own. But not until Shadow gains entrance to another pack and learns pack responsibilities and the elements of pup-rearing can she bear offspring. Although the lesson rings clear, the book occupies a vague territory between fiction and fact; it is neither inspired storytelling nor sound science. The pictures, for their part, are more decorative than informative. A postscript suggests discussion questions and teaching guidelines ``to help young people assume responsibility for meeting their needs in healthy ways.'' Ages 4-12.Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Product DescriptionA young female wolf must spend time learning many things before she is ready to do all that grown-up wolves do. Includes discussion questions and suggestions on ways to use the story.From School Library JournalK-Gr 3-Shadow, a wolf pup, is chased by an eagle away from her family and into a rushing river. Rescued by a two-foot (a human), she is taken to a lame older wolf, Nanna, who cares for her until she can be returned to the wild to find a new pack to live with. This story focuses on the idea of the Ready Time, which starts out as a preparedness for hunting but switches to Shadow's overriding desire to have a family of her own. In lengthy prose, the story hammers away at the lesson that youngsters should not rush the maturation experience. A final page offers advice and guidance to adults working with preteens who may be struggling with peer pressure and a lack of self-esteem and responsibility. Any new insight readers may have gained into the wolf community is diminished by this pronounced intent of presenting the animal world as a model for teens. Also, the message is at odds with the book's format-a picture book with double-page watercolor spreads of soft, cuddly animals and scenic panoramas of Glacier National Park. Plus, the wolves are given human expressions and feelings, which trivializes their nature and belittles the target audience.-Martha Topol, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MICopyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.