Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki HCPublisher: Yen Press
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Price: $25.99
Creator(s): Mamoru Hosoda (writer), Yu (artist)
Format: 528 pgs., Black & White, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-3164-0165-4
Age Range: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Wolf Children was first released as a feature-length anime, and this thick hardcover edition contains all three parts of the manga adaptation. This deluxe edition may bring in a few new readers who might not otherwise pick up a manga series. The color art on the cover is beautiful and intriguing, showing the two children at two different stages of "wolf-ness."
The story itself is about choices. Wolves supposedly went extinct in Japan, but apparently the last one simply became human, somehow, and married a human wife. His descendants can be human, wolf, or shift between the two. These are not European-style evil werewolves. They're just beings who are part human, part wolf, the degree depending on their own choices and self-definition.
As the story progresses, Ame and Yuki have to make choices about whether to be human or canine. There are good and bad parts to both. Their mother is very supportive and loving. The result is the most loving and "human" werewolf story of all time. The artwork is manga-style, but well-executed. A few color pages spice up the opening, but that might make some readers wish for more color pages.
Overall, the book will be suitable for all but the youngest readers, who might be upset by the mild violence in some scenes and confused by the complex story.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California