The Wolf was Not Sleeping: St John New Zealand edition

In this touching addition to Avril McDonald’s Feel Brave series, Wolfgang and his Big Dad Wolf share their feelings around the day-to-day realities of Big Dad Wolf’s work as a ‘helper’ (first responder) in the forest. Wolfgang is a young cub whose mind races with wild imaginings and fearsome ‘what ifs’ each time his dad gets called out to the front line, but he is instantly calmed when Big Dad Wolf introduces him to the great team that he works with, reassures him that he is safe when he goes out to work, and tells him that things aren’t always as scary as they seem. Together they then create a picture wall of all the fabulous characters on Big Dad Wolf’s team, which Wolfgang then feels very much a part of.

The book’s beautiful verse and colourful illustrations also send an important message to the parents themselves, helping them to bridge the gap between work and home by opening up conversations with their families about the stresses and strains they experience as first responders.