For Moka, a personable brown and white dog, life is perfect until Michelle, his little girl, reads him a book about wolves, which makes him reevaluate his whole existence. No longer content with his life as a house pet, especially when Michelle makes him dress up for tea parties, Moka takes off for the mountains. "Free as a wolf," he yelps, but freedom isn't easy, especially when he spies real wolves howling nearby. This sweet tale, illustrated with expressive watercolors, offers a new take on the adages, "Be careful what you wish for” and “There's no place like home."
Ask your children to put themselves in Michelle's shoes and describe what she might have thought, felt, and done when she discovered her beloved Moka was missing. Look at the book’s perfect open ending—what book should she and Moka read next? Other satisfying runaway dog tales include the classics, Marjorie Flack's Angus Lost and Gene Zion's Harry the Dirty Dog.
Themes: DOGS. RUNAWAYS. WOLVES.
- Children will howl with delight when they meet this engaging pup.
- Kristine M. Casper, School Library Journal
- Thanks to excellent pacing, children will get caught up in the childlike Moka's emotions: the pleasure of being free, the loneliness of night, and the exuberant reunion with Michelle
- Booklist
- In the end, this tale of home and comfort will make everyone sigh with happiness.
- Kirkus Reviews