Charlotte: A Yellowstone Wolf Pup
Celia Straus
Leschenault Press (2025)
ISBN: 978-1923454293
Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views (08/2025)
Charlotte is a simply adorable wolf pup who marches to the beat of her own drum in a social system where everyone is expected to do their part. In other words, she doesn’t mean to be, but Charlotte could be considered a bit… rebellious. Readers young and old are introduced to Charlotte and her wolf pack in the delightful book, Charlotte: A Yellowstone Wolf Pup by Celia Straus.
From the first time we meet her, Charlotte is already straying a little too far from her den at a young age. She’s not trying to break any rules. She’s just curious about the butterflies and the flowers in the meadow. After all, she lives in a gorgeous place, and it all fascinates her. Her mother is the Alpha Queen of the pack, and everyone, including Charlotte, is expected to do what they can to help the entire pack survive. But Charlotte just isn’t interested in any of the wolf-type activities. She’s not interested in hunting, for instance, even though she’s a very fast runner. Her mother calmy explains to Charlotte that hunting is something everyone in the pack participates in so that they can eat and survive the harsh winters of Yellowstone.
One day something terrible happens, and Charlotte’s mother gets separated from their pack. She’s in terrible danger as another pack threatens her. Charlotte is the only one in a position to help her, but she’s going to have to be brave.
This is a unique children’s book for many reasons. If you’re looking for Disney’s Bambi, this isn’t it. In my opinion, it’s much better and certainly more realistic. Wolves do hunt, and the book honestly portrays this delicately, bloodlessly, and age-appropriately. The way the author handled this portion of their lives impressed me greatly, and I applaud the authenticity here.
The entire book is a visual and literary treat. The illustrations by Maria Hahne are of a softer watercolor effect; beautiful, calm, and wonderfully childish in the best of ways. Readers will see and read about many of the wild animals Yellowstone is known for, including bison, elk, and bears. The story is presented in a rhyming, yet unmetered style that helps to set the pacing for the story.
But the best part of Charlotte: A Yellowstone Wolf Pup is the theme of the story. Readers are encouraged to realize that we all must find our place in the world and that being different can be a very good thing. Charlotte thrives on her individuality, yet she remains loyal to her family and contributes in the ways she is best suited to help. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from this book goes to the conservation efforts for wolves.
Perhaps my favorite portion of the book is actually at the end, where several line drawings from the book have been put together as “Your Own Charlotte of Yellowstone Coloring Book,” allowing readers to color pictures from the story the way they prefer. What a wonderful idea, especially for a book about individuality.
I highly recommend Charlotte: A Yellowstone Wolf Pup by Celia Straus for preschool, early, and young readers. Parents are just as likely to enjoy this read as well, with such delightful characters as Charlotte and her mother.