The 6 Best Children’s Books About Wolves to Engage Young Readers

When you think of wolves, the popular image your memory may conjure is that of a wolf with its head toward the sky, howling against the backdrop of a full, deep yellow moon. Wolves symbolize intelligence, family, and loyalty. They travel in packs. They have an innate understanding that there is strength in numbers. There’s much to learn about these fascinating animals and you can get your kids started young by sharing some of the best children’s books about wolves with them.

In the list below, we cover several different types of books. The first is a non-fiction work that teaches children some incredible facts about different kinds of wolves, particularly gray wolves and arctic wolves. The next is a story about how entire ecosystems depend on the presence of wolves and how humans came to learn that when their population was decimated in Yellowstone National Park. We also incorporate a fiction novel, one based on a true story, for extra fun.

#1 Best Overall: Wolves for Kids: Amazing Facts and True Stories about the Gray Wolf and Arctic Wolf by Tristan Keefer 

The best children’s book about wolves is Wolves for Kids. This book takes kids on a fascinating journey where they discover lots of important facts about wolves. Wolves are naturally intriguing animals. They have the kind of stare that penetrates your soul, and their howls can make the hair on your skin stand up straight. It’s no wonder children love learning more about them. In this book, kids discover what a wolf’s life is like. They learn about their behavior and get to explore true stories about both Arctic wolves and gray wolves. Part of what makes wolves’ lives so fascinating is that each day is different for them. They are always fighting for survival.

Throughout the book, kids learn about wolves’ natural habitats and about what arctic wolves like to eat out in the wild. Kids also learn how gray wolves act around each other and how myths and legends describe wolves. This book even incorporates some real kids who have wolf stories to share with your kiddo. This is an essential guide for any child who wants to get to know the lives of wolves. If you’re a parent or teacher who wants to engage them with this type of literature in a way that’s fun and accessible, this is a fantastic choice.

Customers rate this book , which is available in Kindle, audiobook, and paperback, 4.2 out of five stars. Parents who have purchased it for their wolf-loving kids enjoy watching their eyes light up as they turn each page. Other customers have purchased this as a gift for kids in their lives. Each time, the kids happily receive it. Overall, customers appreciate that this book teaches children in an exciting and captivating way, which is perfect, especially if you have a kiddo who has trouble keeping attention for an extended period of time.

A couple of reviewers said that this book was too short and “not worth the money.”

Pros and Cons of Wolves for Kids: Amazing Facts and True Stories about the Gray Wolf and Arctic Wolf by Tristan Keefer 

Best Overall

Wolves for Kids: Amazing Facts and True Stories about the Gray Wolf and Arctic Wolf (Wild Animals for Children)

• Read about the behavior and explore true stories of Arctic wolves
• Essential guide for any child who wants to get to know the lives of wolves
• Customers rate this book 4.2 out of five stars

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2. Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella (Author), Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella (author), Kim Smith (illustrator) is appropriate for kids between eight and 12 years old. It covers what happened in Yellowstone National Park when the loss of wolves devastated the ecosystem there. Later, there were efforts toward rehabilitation and throughout this process, many lessons were learned. In nature, ecosystems require delicate balancing. When something goes out of whack, inevitably something else changes greatly. This book explains to children how all of this happened at Yellowstone National Park.

It starts off by addressing how the American government incentivized hunters to get rid of any threats to livestock at Yellowstone. This was back in the 1800s and they did such a fantastic job that by 1926, there were no longer any gray wolf packs in the park. Over the following decades, every other part of the ecosystem saw changes. The entire landscape was off-kilter. In 1995, an attempt to recover the balance and re-introduce gray wolves began. This book does a wonderful job of explaining the complexity of interdependence in these environments in a way that’s digestible for young readers.

Customers rate this book, which is available in Kindle and hardcover formats, 4.8 out of five stars. Not only is it educational, but it’s also beautiful. One customer is a homeschooling mom, and she says this book is so good she could cry. She frequently purchases lots of books to try and get her kids to feel excited about learning. She appreciates that this book is functionally educational but it’s not too much for them. The illustrations complement the storyline perfectly and offer great insights about wolves and Yellowstone overall.

Pros and Cons of Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella (Author), Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Best for Kids Between 8 and 12

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem (Ecosystem Guardians)

• Covers what happened in Yellowstone National Park when the loss of wolves devastated the ecosystem
• Ilustrations complement the storyline perfectly
• Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars

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3. Child of the Wolves by Elizabeth Hall

Child of the Wolves by Elizabeth Hall is about wolves but with a fictional narrative. It follows Granite, a Siberian husky puppy. The book starts with him all alone in the Alaskan forest. He had escaped from his kennel. Of course, out in the wilderness, his life is at risk. He’s small and there are predators out there. Every moment of his life in the initial part of this book is scary. Eventually, Snowdrift, a great white wolf, comes along. Snowdrift takes Granite under her wing. She ends up welcoming Granite to the wolf pack. However, Granite doesn’t just get a free pass. He has to earn his place. The story follows all of the challenges they encounter as an interspecies wolf tribe.

Customers rate this book, which is available in hardcover and paperback, 4.7 out of five stars. For many customers, this is an all-time favorite that they enjoyed in their own childhoods. They’re excited to give a copy to their children and make it a family favorite. One customer says that the author did a fantastic job of understanding both dog and wolf behaviors. She blends both beautifully into the story. She also accurately represents the harshness of Alaska’s environment. He appreciates that the author took the time to really delve into the research to develop this beautiful fiction story.

Pros and Cons of Child of the Wolves by Elizabeth Hall

Best Fiction Novel

Child of the Wolves

• Classic children's story that represents the harshness of Alaska’s environment
• Both dog and wolf behaviors are covered
• Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars

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4. A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry (Author) and Mónica Armiño (Illustrator) 

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry (author), Mónica Armiño (illustrator)  is a New York Times bestseller. It follows the real story of a wolf named Swift. The book contains illustrations from cover to cover. Swift is a young wolf cub that lives in the mountains with his pack. He’s just learning how to hunt and starting to compete with his siblings to form a hierarchy. He’s also watching over a new litter of cubs along with his siblings. This is his regular life until one day, a rival wolf pack attacks. When this happens, Swift and his family part ways.

Of course, Swift is scared once he’s all alone. He has to go on his way to find a place he can call home again. Kids follow him along his journey as he takes the trek of 1,000 miles all the way across the Pacific Northwest. This journey is harrowing, and kids learn about what happens across this region. He encounters hunters, highways, forest fires, and hunger. Eventually, he does find that place to call home. The story is inspired by true events. The original wolf in this story is based on a wolf named OR-7 (also known as Journey).

Customers rate this book, which is available in Kindle, audiobook, hardcover, and paperback formats, 4.8 out of five stars. One customer uses this wolf book as a reference of sorts because he’s working on several of his own wolf books. He does offer a warning that if your kids are more into fantasy, they may not enjoy this book quite as much. Although it’s suitable for kids between eight and 11 years old, it’s the type of book that anyone at any age can appreciate. Another customer is a teacher who always recommends this book to advanced third graders and fifth graders. She loves how the book incorporates emotion and action to create a captivating story.

A few reviewers said that this book was “disturbing” because “everybody dies.”

Pros and Cons of A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry (Author), Mónica Armiño (Illustrator) 

Best Based on a True Story

A Wolf Called Wander

• New York Times best-seller
• A book for all ages
• Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars

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5. Wolf Facts Book for Kids: 50 Facts About Wolves by Harmony Wells 

Wolf Facts Book for Kids: 50 Facts About Wolves by Harmony Wells  will give your child an overview of wolves. It contains 50 facts about wolves including how many wolf species there are and how they communicate. It teaches children all about their incredibly precise sense of smell and also what they eat out in the wild. Kids learn about how large their territories are and how you know which wolves are the alphas. They learn about wolf pups and how long they can stay with their wolf pack. They also learn how fast they run and how far they can travel in a single day.

Customers rate this book, which is available in Kindle and large print paperback, 4.7 out of five stars. It’s very straightforward, and ideal for kids between six and 10 years old. It contains fun facts about wolves and some pictures. There aren’t any graphic pictures inside the book. This book offers a great way for you to introduce your child to wolves. For a more in-depth look, you may want to select one of the other books on this list.

Pros and Cons of Wolf Facts Book for Kids: 50 Facts About Wolves by Tyler Grady 

6. Gray Wolf: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids by Tyler Grady

Gray Wolf: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids by Tyler Grady focuses solely on gray wolves. Children learn about this highly social wolf. The book covers how these surprisingly intelligent creatures have survived, despite the many challenges that have shown up on their paths. It incorporates gorgeous color photography, which really brings this animal to life for young readers. The book covers several different gray wolf facts like their lifespan, habitat, breeding, diet, behavior, and threats. In the paperback format, you get a durable, glossy cover. It’s also available in Kindle format.

Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars. They appreciate that it has so many colorful wolf pictures. One customer shares that she finds it interesting and educational. She purchased it for her son who loves wolves. She hadn’t seen too many books available specifically about the gray wolf, so she was very excited when she saw this one. She’s very grateful that the book incorporates so many wonderful photos and that it teaches her grandson more about one of his favorite animals. They love it.

Pros and Cons of Gray Wolf: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids by Tyler Grady

Best About Gray Wolves

Gray Wolf: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

• Covers several different gray wolf facts, including lifespan, habitat, diet, and more
• Gorgeous color photography brings the subject matter to life
• Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars

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The 3 Main Types of Books About Wolves

Fiction

If your kiddo has a fascination with wolves, any wolf book is great. However, it’s important to consider what you want your child to get out of their reading experience. Fiction novels are fantastic because they impart important messages to young readers. They also invite kids to explore an imaginative world while teaching them more complex sentences and incorporating some new vocabulary words as well. Fiction also teaches children about how communities and ecosystems work. Fiction broadens their worldview, which helps expand their minds.

Non-Fiction

Non-fiction books about wolves give your children a fundamental understanding of this particular animal. They learn about their behaviors, their diets, and their habitats. Then, when they watch a movie that incorporates wolves, have a discussion in class about wolves, or pick up a fiction novel about wolves, they can solidify their understanding. It’s always a good idea to incorporate both fiction and non-fiction titles into children’s libraries.

Based on a True Story

This next category is a bit different. When books are based on a true story, the majority of the work is based on factual, verifiable information. However, authors do take some liberties with these types of works, which blend in a bit of fiction to a primarily non-fiction storyline. Some of the changes writers make include shifting timelines, changing names, or creating composite characters.