THE WOLVES ARE BACK

George's story follows the life of a wolf pup in current-day Yellowstone National Park. The story entertains while explaining how wolves were reintroduced into the park to reestablish ecological balance after they had become extinct due to a flawed understanding of their role in nature. Wendell Minor, who is also the book’s illustrator, narrates. His voice has a tone of reassurance and safety, and his pacing and cadence allow the listener to amply enjoy both the text and its illustrations. However, Minor's delivery of the repetitive phrase "the wolves are back" sounds slightly awkward. And the production’s sound effects, which evoke setting and specific events, detract from the story and narration. J.K.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]