True Stories of Animal Heroes: Onyx

I adore this book! I’m 100% sure every child will love wolfs a lot more after reading this. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. Great work!!!

What a beautiful book and how relevant the story is today. Not just in the animal world and its environmental concerns, but a way of living together that will inspire humans to be that much more appreciative and respectful of each other, no matter their colour, orientation or background. I truly loved the story, it is a tour de force.
And what gorgeous illustrations, by Anneli Bray, to bring such life to the book. Her illustrations have such strong character and the almost primitive feel of her backgrounds as well as the wild brush strokes, mark-making and use of mixed media to create texture, adds to the wildness of the landscape in the Park.
At the back of the book is a page dedicated to information about the wolf’s story, with photographs and a web link to research. How wonderful for children to find out that Onyx and Bravo are based on real wolves that were introduced into Yellowstone Park after 70 years of the Park being without a single wolf. This just adds more weight to the goal of protecting such beautiful creatures. Well done Vita Murrow and Anneli Bray. Can’t wait to see more of these books.

After reading the story of Fluffles the Koala (also in the series) I was keen to read about Onyx to my daughters (aged 6 and 4). This is not a story I am familiar with and tells the tale of Onyx, a wolf pup and runt of the litter who became step-dad to another family of wolves who had lost their alpha. It's a fascinating story and the illustrations perfectly capture the emotions and setting and bring the story to life. There were elements that my daughters did not really understand but by discussing the story together and how Onyx might be feeling at certain points, they understood the story better. Part of a lovely series of books.

Based on real-life tales, this lovely series shows us that not all heroes wear capes. 

Onyx, for example, is a wolf pup, who undergoes a transformation similar to the ugly duckling, growing into the leader no one expected the wolf pup to be. 

This endearing story demonstrates that just like Onyx, who was once cast out among his own, you don't have to be like everyone else, to become a leader. Utilising the lessons Onyx learned himself, he was able to impart wisdom on, Bravo, the pup from another pack. He taught him how to think differently, be respectful and kind. And in doing so, they both end up moving mountains and making changes that lead to the creation of the biggest wolf pack in Yellowstone Park.

Illustrations - Peaceful, warm, beautiful. I could see myself as a kid trying to copy the drawings in my little drawing notebook! 

Because this is based on a real story from Yellowstone Park, at the end of the book you'll find a more detailed explanation of it, which is really helpful and serves as an educational moment. 

Needless to say, I'd recommend this book as it can be used to entertain and inspire, but also educate, all of us, on a little detail in nature's history that we might not have known up until now!

Onyx: The Wolf Who Found a New Way to be a Leader is part of a new series of books based on heroic animals entitled ‘True Stories of Animal Heroes’ and is published by the brilliant Frances Lincoln Children’s.

Wolves. Fierce, protective and territorial…at least that’s how most were, but one wolf pup saw things somewhat differently. Onyx wasn’t like the other pups in his pack. He wasn’t into playing games or squabbling over food and he was different to his brothers and sisters in every way. They were strong and bold, he was weak and shy. He was, the runt of the litter. For what Onyx may have lacked in physical stature he made up for in his wolf-smarts and when it was time for him to head out into the wild to find a pack of his own, he took with him a new way of thinking…

Onyx is based on the actual rehoming of wolves to Yellowstone Park in 1995, seventy years after the last wolf had disappeared from the area. This is a real underdog story that defies all we think of wolves and how they go about their lives in the animal kingdom. Known for living in packs and being protective of their home turf, or in this case their ridges, one wolf did things differently and the result was something rather special. Not a ridge for a single pack of wolves but a ridge for any wolf who ‘dared to be different’. A place for a community of like-minded wolves who were able to thrive and live in harmony together.

There are so many important lessons in this short read. Onyx may be a wolf but so many of his qualities and attributes are wonderful messages for children. He is open to ideas, he shares, he is kind and empathises with others - what more could we want from a wolf. And he teaches the younger wolf pups about respect and that you don’t have to be fierce and scary to be a leader.

The illustrations featured throughout are just adorable and only on one or two occasions do the wolves come across as scary. In fact, they look so friendly and playful and fluffy that you’ll just want to reach out and stroke the pages. Two extra pages at the back of the book feature a short history about the wolves in Yellowstone Park and include photographs. There is also a weblink included for those readers who want to get involved in supporting wolf projects to ensure that they continue to thrive in the wild.

Recommended for 4+.

With thanks to Frances Lincoln Children’s and Vita Murrow for the advanced reader copy that was received through Netgalley.

My daughter and I loved this book about a wolf called Onyx who was the runt of his litter, but went on to become a strong wolf and a leader, welcoming family and friends to him along his journey.  My daughter loved drawing the Mummy wolf with her babies, one of which was Onyx as a baby.  The book is based on a true story and it was very interesting.  I am excited to read more animal heroes books in the future when they are available.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.