Wolfstongue by Sam Thompson and Illustrated by Anna Tromop

Published by Little Island Books

WHEN books are aimed towards children, especially around the ages of nine to 12 when they begin to become more mature and learn lessons about the ways to treat themselves and others, it’s vital that this is reflected in those books.

It is for this reason that in literature intended for this audience I look for clear morals in the stories. This idea needs to be navigated more delicately than with books for younger children where most of what a book intends to teach is stated quite plainly. The morals in books need to develop along with the children who read them as they begin to look for more complex plot lines with well-written magic, action and strong characters.

All of this and more can be found in Wolfstongue which deals with bullying on every scale – whether it’s the introduction of the concept of corrupt leaders or the kids picking on anyone different in the playground.

Either way, the bullies of this novel are presented as villains and as such are not dwelt upon. The real focus of Wolfstongue is the heroes, the types of people who learn to stand up for each other and themselves in the face of cruelty. It is an honourable story about friendship, adventure and learning how to use your voice – and use it for good – that is a beautiful and unmissable tale.

The main character of Wolfstongue is Silas, known to the bullies at his school as Silence due to his tendency not to speak, to anyone really, which, gets him in endless trouble. He often wishes to be invisible rather than taunted for his problem, all until a strange even that changes his life.

When walking home from school Silas meets Isengrim, a wolf who has ventured from the woods with an injured paw. And, though he is hesitant, Silas helps him and finds himself learning of the nearby woods and all that goes on there that humans are oblivious to.

The animals living there have learned to speak like humans however the foxes, particularly their unforgiving ruler Reynard, use their eloquent speech to become rulers of all that inhabit it, particularly picking on Isengrim and his family to serve him, even using threats against his newly born pups as a method of control.

For this reason, the wolves spend much of their time in hiding with only a scarce supply of magic clay to treat wounds and with only each other to rely on.

It is this injustice and his growing understanding of how truly wrong this way of life is for all but the foxes that Silas finds himself truly angered. Fuelled by this he, when defending Isengrim to Reynard, speaks without fear, but with honesty and bravery.

This friendship encourages both Silas and Isengrim to deal with situations in their life they once seemed to have no control over, the tyrannical rule of foxes and bullies. This is a message relevant for so many to hear, particularly as they get older, that though there will be bullies of all kinds, there is power in words and there is power in taking back your own voice.