I've mixed thoughts on this one. I liked the jaunty style of the illustrations in this book, and the intended commentary is something that will provoke some good discussion starters between parents, caregivers and children. However, even after a few reads, the book misses the mark, and I'm not sure that it would fully land with the target audience. I feel that this book is one in which I'd have to do a good bit of explaining to children as we read it; not because they're incapable of understanding the subject matter, but because of the story's pacing and somewhat conflicting messages. Indeed, the general message itself is something that's a little hard to discern. Because of this, I'm unsure of what children would feel about what they're supposed to take away from the book by its end.

There are definite shades of "Animal Farm" here, which adults and some older readers will pick up on. But those parallels aren't explored as well as they could be. This is due in large part to various missed opportunities to add more complexity and nuance into the story. For example, readers never see the impact and efforts of the other candidates' campaigns, and the animals' rejection of their messages in favor of the wold. It's revealing that both of the creatures whom the farm animals are drawn to are undomesticated animals who have a history of preying on livestock, and as such would be instantly recognizable to them, which brings up the question as to why they'd be drawn to them in the first place.


The book's conclusion is realistic in that it shows a very real aspect of human nature. Even though it's frustrating to think about, people (farm animals in this case) often return to the same patterns of behavior that are detrimental to them, even when directly emerging from a scary experience. That's a complex but important subject to broach with kids and get their thoughts about why this might be. But at the same time, the buildup to the conclusion is resolved a little too quickly, perhaps unrealistically, and this is where the conflicting or additional questions come in. Who's to say that George Wolf and his shifty cabinet would automatically leave? What if he refused, particularly with the muscle that he had behind him? Or what would have happened if he decided to come back, especially considering that he's a wolf and therefore a wild animal with no ties to the farm? And who's to say that all of the farm animals actually would join in the effort to oust him; what if there were those who still wanted him to stay in spite of all the disruption and destruction that he caused?

As a side note, I also didn't care for the way that cats in particular were shown as being complicit with the Wolf's presidency, taking part in his cabinet and serving as his enforcers/predators. The illustrations show that the cabinet is mostly made up of cats, even though A.) They are farm animals themselves who contribute to the farm's operations and B.) They and their kittens as a group would also be targets of the Wolf's leadership. Them being ousted and leaving the farm along with all of the other villains doesn't make. I know that it shows up in numerous ways in popular culture, but I'd like to see more youth literature move away from the "cats as mean" and "cats as villains" trope. Satire or not, it reinforces negative ideas about them to children that impact the way they view these animals in real life.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Moon + Bird, for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I felt a sense of dread as I read this book! Very clever and enjoyable read yet also a bit too close to home.
I'll be interested to read with my children to see their take on it.

Children’s fiction is not always limited to children. This satirical insightful story is a cautionary tale for voters who are deceived by the campaign promises of shady candidates. A wolf is a wolf is a wolf and if you’re not careful he will eat you up, not matter what lies he tells to convince you to elect him.

There are discussion points aplenty for parents, teachers and librarians. I can’t help but think of Animal Farm. My recommendation- buy it! The illustrations are terrific too. Five shining stars to author Davide Cali for an important message charmingly presented. . Many thanks to NetGalley and Moon & Bird publishers for an advance copy in exchange for my review. Publication date is October 28, 2025. Reserve your copy now! You’ll be glad you did.

You really can't beat Davide Cali's sense of humour, and his latest has this in bucket fulls. I great dig at democracy and preception overriding truths amidst election fever, Great way to introduce idea of voting to little ones.

Very timely, and a good lesson-without-being-too-obvious about believing actions and not simply words. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read!

I had a lot of fun reading this book, but I will say that I disliked the ending. But first, the things that I liked:
1. The story takes readers through the election process in a highly simplified way, which is great for a young audience. It wasn't too complicated, but I definitely see a lot of potential for this book to expand readers' knowledge.
2. The way this book was just so FUN. The sentences were all pretty short, but that added to the unique touch of humor that this book had.
3. The illustrations were highly detailed and just amazing all around. Colors, moods, lighting, and lines were all on-point.
Lastly, why didn't I care for the ending? I get that the author was going for a surprise "the cycle continues" kind of feel, but based on the conflict that came with Wolf's leadership I thought that it put a damper on the story. In short, it made the book end on a more sad note rather than a funny one.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed this book!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read Vote Wolf along with my niece and it was a good way to open a conversation on política without getting too specific. We are not from the US and our elections work quite differently, but it was still a good fit to talk about the feelings on elections that out family has had these past years.

Playing to children's tales and the wolf's and some other animals' moral role on them, Vote Wolf helps provide a different view on threat and how threat looks.

A very good fit for my kids' English class with pretty drawings that my nieve and I loved.

This book is brilliant. It starts off all humorous and kind of predictable but then the ending will make you think more deeply about the issue. By the time you get to the ending, you will not know who is to blame and who is the author trying to laugh at. It is absolutely brilliant.

A great, accessible introduction into democracy. Introduces ideas of responsibilty & accountability. A great book to discuss critical thinking, and our responsibilty to each other in society. Could be used as an entry to discussing citizenship/politics. Age range is 4-8, but I think could be used with older children.

This was a great little book. Very funny but also a nice gentle introduction to children (and maybe a reminder for grown-ups) about who to trust.
I won't spoil the ending but it made me chuckle wryly.
The illustrations reminded me very much of the Richard Scarry books too!

Cute and clever book, but I want the message to be more enlightened for children. Adults are jaded and know politics is more of the same old same old, but I think children deserve more, even if it’s a fairytale.

Vote Wolf is a political satire aimed at children.
I read this with my 10yo. We loved the art style and the comic book/graphic novel form was great.
When it comes to story itself and the message behind it, I was massively disappointed.
I will not be reviewing this publicly.
Had this been longer, more complex and layered, and had a constructive message, or a funny take on politics, which I had assumed it was, I would have liked this more.
I had assumed that this is one of the quirkier, darker but still appropriate and funny takes on fairy tales while making a commentary on holding politicians and ourselves responsible. It was not.

I'm not sure how to review a book that you wish had come out a year ago. The fact that even the animals in this book don't get the lesson that literally cost their friends their lives makes it THAT much harder. Great book but unfortunately too real?

Wolf seems like the perfect farm leader. He’s dressed to the nines. Always smiles for pictures. And makes impressive promises to the other farm animals. But could he have something else up his sleeve? A morbidly-humorous, yet kid-friendly exploration of the election process and the importance of informed decision-making!

This one is certainly timely at present and could be a great jumping off point for some difficult conversations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Loved this! It's satire for children - four legs better?

This was unexpected. Quite biting (pun fully intended) with a contemporary plot - there's an election on the farm! Lots of candidates, but it's the flashy, friendly Wolf who's popular, especially with the sheep. He has strong arms, a big smile and makes sure all his constituents feel important. Promising to keep the farm animals safe and well fed... what more could they hope for in a candidate?

We watch the voting process and the celebrations, and the winner assembling his 'team'... but then animals on the farm start to go missing...

As an adult, I LOVED this, laughing at the idea and the execution (oh dear, intended but slightly too apt pun) of the post-election fallout.

This is a fantastic satire that younger readers will not read everything into, but could still be read by an older child or teen and seen quite differently (much as I saw Animal Farm differently at 10 and 18).

Almost too clever for the age group... but brilliant.

Lots of subtle information about elections, voting and the post-election promises kept or broken.

Great for schools and homes.

For ages 5-14. All age groups will get something out of this.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

Young readers will get insight into how elections work and the dangers of the popularity contest. George Wolf looks like the charismatic leader who is friends with everyone, but things start going wrong when farm animals start going missing. When Mr. Wolf doesn't respond to inquiries about the missing animals a group of farm animals group together to get to the root of the cause and overthrow Mr. Wolf. The book ends with a new election where Mr. Fox is in the running as a similar contender who is stealing hearts. Did the farm animals learn their lesson? A great book about voting, misinformation, critical thinking, and questioning corrupt leadership.

For some reason the cover of this book made me think it was a graphic novel but it was definitely a picture book. I think, in part because of this, I was hoping for more. While there are elections in the book, it's very simplified. It's about how politicians can look appealing but are really only in it for their own interests. It seems like the farm animals understand this lesson but by the end of the book we see they haven't. Sure, there's some social commentary there, but I would have preferred if the book had taken an opportunity for more teachable moments -- something more about elections, how to evaluate a candidate, the importance of watching debates or researching the candidates, etc. I think this could have easily been done at the end instead of seeing how the animals are set up to fall for another crooked politician again. A fun take on a big bad wolf story but not a necessary addition to a collection. I could see this being used as an entry point for units on elections or government but the teacher would definitely have to do more of the work. It could be a good start to a social studies unit. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

combination of the big bad wolf and Animal Farm. Very cleaver warning on deceitful politicians in terms children can understand

The animals on the farm need to vote for their next leader and many are won over by the charming wolf and all of his promises but when he wins, it turns out that he isn't quite who he claimed and animals start to go missing.

I like this book as an introduction to elections and the importance of really researching your options before casting your vote. I regularly have a conversation with children, during our WWII topic, about how Hitler was able to gain the power to do what he and his party did. This book illustrates well, how people can be manipulated into giving their support to someone who seems to speak for them, when really they are just saying whatever needs to be said to gain a majority and do what they want.

Vote Wolf gave me a similar feel as the Click Clack Moo books. No, it wasn't rhyming nor was there repetition. However, the setting fit perfectly and the funny aspect really got me.

I would absolutely read it during a barnyard-themed read aloud day along with Cronin's books and maybe Wally Needs a Haircut.

The story itself was quick and did not muck about. It was a tight story that wrapped up with another little joke--Oh no, it's happening all over again!