Victor, the Wolf with Worries
Catherine Rayner
Macmillan Children’s Books

Victor is a young wolf beset with worries: he worries about almost everything. He considers himself to be not ‘wolfish’ enough, not brave enough, not big enough, nor fierce enough, so he resorts to pretence.
However this leads to worries about how his shortcomings will impact upon other wolves; for example if he attempts to act fiercely, he could end up accidentally frightening his fellow wolves. And so his worries just keep on growing.

Fortunately, Victor has a best friend, Pablo. Empathetic Pablo notices Victor looks worried and with his help and understanding, and some coping strategies, Victor’s worries gradually recede. He begins to feel braver, bigger, fiercer and increasingly wolfish.

Not only does Victor’s anxiety wane but he also learns something else important: he is not the only one who worries about these things, so too does Pablo and all their fellow wolves.

As it is with wolves, so it is with humans. The practical ways Victor was shown to handle his anxieties, are equally effective with young humans, and not so young ones, so this story offers an ideal starting point to help children deal with issues affecting their mental well-being.

In Victor and indeed Pablo, Catherine has created hugely engaging characters with wonderfully expressive eyes. Those winsome wolves stunningly portrayed in her ink and watercolour illustrations will surely win the hearts of any reader or listener.