Three Important Jobs
by Yvonne Ivinson (Author) Yvonne Ivinson (Illustrator)
Starring an adorable wolf cub who takes her responsibilities VERY seriously, this surprising and funny picture book is perfect for reading and sharing together, and for anyone nervous about a new experience. With an emphasis on friendship, responsibility, and overcoming anxiety, Three Important Jobs is an excellent choice for social-emotional learning and for readers of Ryan T. Higgins's We Don't Eat Our Classmates.
Wolf Cub has three very important jobs: she must find Little Mouse, Floppy Rabbit, and a sack of prickle brushes and bring them back to Big Wolf's den. Wolf Cub carries each in her mouth (even though it tickles) and delivers all three to Big Wolf as promised. Good job, Wolf Cub! But what happens when Big Wolf, with her big sharp teeth, invites everyone into her den with the promise that no one will feel a thing?
Acclaimed author-artist Yvonne Ivinson's suspensefully silly and ultimately reassuring picture book features wordplay, subverted expectations, lots of giggles, and a wolf cub who takes her job very seriously indeed. Observant readers will be delighted with the twist ending--Big Wolf is a dentist, Wolf Cub is her able assistant, Little Mouse and Floppy Rabbit are the patients, and the prickle brushes are their new toothbrushes.
With a rhythmic text and winsome illustrations, Three Important Jobs is ideal for emerging readers, for anyone feeling apprehensive about a new experience, and for fans of David Ezra Stein's Don't Worry, Murray.
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Kirkus Reviews
The payoff might not be worth the ride but could be a springboard for important conversations if used correctly.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3-The adventures of the very focused and determined Wolf Cub who sets out to complete three important jobs for Big Wolf. For her first job, Wolf Cub captures Little Mouse who squeals and begs for mercy. Wolf Cub brings Little Mouse to Big Wolf, who is pleased. Little Mouse is not. "Oh, please don't eat me." Wolf Cub races out into the forest for her second job: to capture Floppy Rabbit. Like Little Mouse, Floppy Rabbit begs to be released to no avail. The mystery deepens as Wolf Cub's last job is to fetch a sack of brushes from Mrs. Hedgehog. By now, Big Wolf is very satisfied with Wolf Cub's work, and invites her to the dentist chair. Floppy Rabbit and Little Mouse are there with their little brushes for a teeth cleaning! The surprising plot twist will be a huge relief for younger children who may have been anxious about the little critters' fates. The building tension and suspense in this picture book may serve as useful prompts for discussing uncomfortable feelings. VERDICT A dentist story with a happy ending sounds a lot like William Steig's Doctor De Soto, without the menace. Choose this for story hours on SEL or hygiene,
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
Wolf Cub has been assigned three 'important' jobs by Big Wolf and sets about completing them with a sense of purpose . . . The full-color painterly acrylic artwork is beautifully rendered. — Kirkus Reviews
JUV002250 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Wolves & Coyotes
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV015000 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | General
Picture books
Wolves
Dental care
Teeth
Care and hygiene
