Scruffy just didn't seem to fit in. When photographer Jim Brandenburg first saw him on the tundra of Ellesmere Island, the yearling wolf was awkward and his fur was a mess.
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From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Award-winning photographer and nature writer Brandenburg chronicles the life of a young Arctic wolf. Nicknamed "Scruffy" for his disheveled appearance, the young wolf is shown interacting with his pack and struggling to establish himself within the hierarchical wolf family. As Scruffy begins to take care of some new wolf pups, readers are given a fascinating look at the social structure of these interesting animals. The text occasionally lapses into anthropomorphism in its attempt to give Scruffy's search for a place in the pack some human dimension. While some readers may be put off by references to human emotions and sensibilities, they're sure to find the stunning full-color photography and Scruffy's eventual acceptance compelling.
Ellen M. Riordan, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Ellen M. Riordan, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 2^-4. The author of the award-winning photo-essay To the Top of the World (1993), for an older audience, makes further use of his experiences living near and observing an Arctic wolf pack on Ellesmere Island. Here he focuses on the pack's weakest, lowest ranking member, Scruffy, so called because it was "by far the messiest." In plainspoken words, laced with obvious affection, he describes Scruffy's "goofy" ways, harsh treatment by others in the pack, and unsuccessful attempts to handle tasks that came easily to most of the others. He also describes Scruffy's special talent--nursemaid to wolf pups--and the behavioral changes the wolf experienced while handling its responsibilities. Brandenburg's photos, several of which are quite amazing, capture it all--Scruffy cowering and abject one moment, growling and fully in charge the next. It's the book's design that's disappointing. The text and neatly bordered, full-color pictures rest atop pale gray or gray-green paper imprinted with an overexposed photo (the same one seems to be used throughout), a technique that not only makes the text occasionally hard to read but also makes the pages seem busy and crowded. Still, there's much information, especially about animal hierarchy and the way nature tries to find a place for all. Stephanie Zvirin
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
Jim Brandenburg is one of my favorite wolf photographers & authors, and I absolutely love every book of his that I've read. I wasn't paying quite close enough attention to this book when I bought it; I didn't realize it was a children's book! Still, as disappointed as I initially was, as I flipped through it, I realized what a great vehicle this book is to educate children about wolves - he covers issues of dominant and submissive roles within the pack, the role of the omega wolf (Scruffy's place in the pack,) and the hardships of wolves' lives in the Arctic. The photos are excellent, and the text is clearly-written and in large print, very easy for new readers to work through....
By A Customer
Format:Library Binding
This is the best non-fiction wolf book I have ever read. It gave me a three dimensional portrait of a member of a wolf pack. My heartbreak comes because the author didn't adopt him. What a wonderful book! I am so glad I picked this one up!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful wolf book for children
Aug 15 2002
By Erin K. Darling
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Jim Brandenburg is one of my favorite wolf photographers & authors, and I absolutely love every book of his that I've read. I wasn't paying quite close enough attention to this book when I bought it; I didn't realize it was a children's book! Still, as disappointed as I initially was, as I flipped through it, I realized what a great vehicle this book is to educate children about wolves - he covers issues of dominant and submissive roles within the pack, the role of the omega wolf (Scruffy's place in the pack,) and the hardships of wolves' lives in the Arctic. The photos are excellent, and the text is clearly-written and in large print, very easy for new readers to work through....
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scruffy: A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack
Sep 12 2006
By Mayno
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
My daughter brought this book home from the school library, and I fell in love with it. The depiction of the life of this wolf and his place of low-status in the pack was very moving and also very educational. The heirarchy of the dominant versus submissive wolves is a social structure that we can easily apply to our dog and her place in our family. Wonderful book! I was excited to find it on Amazon since I had forgotten the name of the book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
There's a Little Bit of "Scruffy" in All of Us
Oct 2 2008
By FQHBOOKS
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Scruffy is not a successful hunter, a careful groomer, or a powerful tell-em-what-to-do-er. He is a goofy Artic wolf, a misfit whose main talent seems to be getting beat up by the other wolves in his pack.
But then a litter of pups is born; and when their mother needs a pup-sitter to watch them while she hunts, Scruffy steps up for the job. He turns out to be an expert caregiver and tutor, and he knows it; he shows his confidence by standing tall and "superior" when he's alone with the cubs. Scruffy now has an important place in the pack.
SCRUFFY contains compelling and thought-provoking photos and text. It's written for children, but teens and adults will also find it a great vehicle for discussions about group hierarchies, body language, or the confidence that comes when you find something in which to excel.
But then a litter of pups is born; and when their mother needs a pup-sitter to watch them while she hunts, Scruffy steps up for the job. He turns out to be an expert caregiver and tutor, and he knows it; he shows his confidence by standing tall and "superior" when he's alone with the cubs. Scruffy now has an important place in the pack.
SCRUFFY contains compelling and thought-provoking photos and text. It's written for children, but teens and adults will also find it a great vehicle for discussions about group hierarchies, body language, or the confidence that comes when you find something in which to excel.
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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