At the end of a long day, when everything is frustrating and not quite right, comes a full moon that makes it impossible to sleep. Young Maggie turns wolfish. She develops fangs, pointy ears, and a fierce desire to dance by the light of the moon. Surprisingly, so does her mum. But Maggie needs her mum’s help to learn how to express her wolfish feelings and truly howl. Together, they prowl the garden, listen to the darkness, and make cloud shapes with their breath.

This is a charming story that revels in the delights of expressing yourself. With evocative soft pencil and wax illustrations by Melbourne artist Evie Barrow, there is much to discover on every page, from the tiniest details in a room to the wolfish shadows outdoors. Howl is a joyous celebration of what it means to be alive, and will be enjoyed by youngsters learning how to express their big feelings. It may even encourage howling at the moon! A perfect read-aloud for ages 3+.

Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids.