Victor, the Wolf with Worries

Wolves are known to be brave, fierce, and big. But Victor, a short and timid wolf who is more sheepish than wolfish, worries he is none of these things. He tries pretending to be brave, but he worries other wolves will expect him to do things he isn’t brave enough to do. He tries pretending to be fierce but worries that he will scare the other wolves away. While Victor wishes he could be as brave as the other wolves, he cannot seem to escape his constant worries.  

Fortunately, Victor has a best friend, Pablo. Pablo listens to his friend’s concerns and helps him take his mind off them. They sprint through the forest together until Victor feels better. They imagine their worries as bubbles and gently blow away each one. With Pablo’s presence, Victor realizes that all wolves share these worries, though not everyone feels comfortable talking about them. By discussing his feelings with Pablo, Victor feels reassured and comfortable with himself. 

Victor, the Wolf with Worries, is a short, sweet story that teaches readers the importance of addressing and discussing things that may cause stress or doubt. Victor is initially reluctant to open up to Pablo, saying, “If I tell you my worry, it becomes yours too.” Pablo shows Victor that discussing anxieties can help you realize such feelings are perfectly normal. By addressing these feelings, you can be better prepared to understand and cope with them.  

The picture book is easy to read, with only one to eight short sentences per page. Although younger readers may need help reading the book’s small font size, Rayner’s illustrations are sure to help them navigate the story. Rayner draws her characters with pencil before coloring them and the backgrounds with watercolor paint. The backgrounds are drawn in brilliant spring blues and greens, allowing for some particularly beautiful illustrations of the wolves’ lively forest.  

While everyone has their own method of dealing with anxieties and daily worries, Victor, the Wolf with Worries is a comforting story that encourages children to address and talk about their feelings. It is a perfect read for young readers who may have trouble discussing their feelings or coping with stress. 

Sexual Content  

• None

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content  

• None