Wolf stories abound in literature and mythology. As a cautionary story, many of them depict a wolf in sheep's clothing preying on sluggish and oblivious people. Young men must work hard, and young women must remain within their own homes for their own safety's sake. I'm sure there was an excellent explanation behind this. During a time when things were grim, these stories about wolves who ate grandmothers, pigs, and girls were passed down to keep children safe. For millennia, humans have relied on stories of fear and awe when it comes to nature. All around the world, wolves have taken on the guise of deities and demons.

This is no longer the case; in fact, we've nearly wiped out wolves with our irrational fear and hatred. We must now rethink our previous conceptions of these majestic and old species in order to re-learn how to cohabit peacefully with them. Here is a selection of 18 books about wolves in our world, including myths, tales, and facts.

Children’s Books About Wolves

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezsca

This is a delightful tale from the wolf's point of view of the Three Little Pigs' encounter. The importance of teaching youngsters that there are always two sides to every story.

Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

Instead of a child making a perilous trek through the woods, this story sees the wolf come to the children's home alone. The Wolf must be avoided at all costs by the children. If you're reading this with a child, be aware that the wolf's fate is not good. You may wish to avoid it if your youngster is easily scared.)

The Eyes of the Gray Wolf by Jonathan London

One evening, follow the wanderings of a restless juvenile wolf. This book teaches children about the softer side of wolves through gorgeous pictures and great words.

The Wolves are Back by Jean Craighead George and illustrated by Wendell Minor

This book tells the story of colonialists' treatment of wolves in western America, including how they were nearly driven to extinction and the steps being taken to bring them back into the wild. In this book, young readers are encouraged to see wolves for what they are rather than what they aren't.

Wolves by Seymour Simon

Wolves and their traits are explained in a straightforward scientific manner in this book. It discusses their social structure as well as their hunting habits. This is an excellent book for kids who are interested in learning more about the animal's biology.

Middle Grade Books About Wolves

White Fang by Jack London

Every time I read that, it breaks my heart. In the cold Yukon wilderness, a young wolf-dog hybrid must learn how to survive on his own. White Fang must discover if there is kindness in the world despite the fact that he does not fit in with anybody and has to cope with guys who exploit his strength for their own gain.

Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carson-Voiles

Orphans Nika and Randall are reunited with their long-lost uncle, who is conducting research on wolves in northern Minnesota. Until she meets an orphaned wolf pup, Nika has a hard time forming relationships since she thinks it's all too good to be true. This is a love story, but it's also a wolf narrative, with lots of interesting information on wolves.

Who Speaks for Wolf: A Native American Learning Story by Paula Underwood

We learn about the weight of our choices in this Native American tale, told in the form of a narrative poem. To do this, we must live in harmony with the natural world and ensure that we respect the boundaries of every place we visit.

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Perry

In order to stay alive after becoming separated from his family, Swift the wolf cub must rely on the skills he gained from his pack. Aside from famine and other predators and hunters, he'll have to overcome several additional challenges before he can find his family. This is a true story, and the novel is based on it.

Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

Fedora and her mother are not animal trainers, but rather animal wilders, as opposed to trainers of animals. If you're sick of exotic pets, Fedora's mother can help you rewild them so they can thrive once more in the wild. He soon finds himself on the run from a homicidal Russian army and learns what it means to stand up for one's values and ideals.

YA Books About Wolves

The Secret World of Red Wolves: The Fight to Save North America’s Other Wolf by T DeLene Beeland

The Red Wolf is a little-known wolf species in the United States. Most of the Deep South and Eastern United States are part of their range, with the last remaining wild people living in North Carolina. This book explores how habitat loss and hunting are both putting this magnificent wolf relative in jeopardy.

Red Riding Hood by Sara Blakely Cartwright

Her sister is dead, and Valerie is on a mission to figure out what or who did it. Whose voices are Valerie hearing, and what are they telling her to give up for? It turns out that the wolf is not a wild animal, but rather one of the town's residents. Interesting twist on the classic tale of Red Riding Hood.

The Legacy of Kilkenny by Devyn Dawson

For 16-year-old Abel Casey, life is quite routine in rural Oklahoma. Until Pru Phelan arrives and transforms his life. An Alpha werewolf's daughter, Pru, was born. Abel, Pru has something to tell you. The Great Wolf is his name. This is a tale of friendship, legend, and adventure.

The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky

As Omat's father was a hunter, she was born with a hunter's soul. When her family is about to go hungry, she sets off on a perilous quest to ask the gods for help. She encounters a Viking warrior and his new gods as she travels. This cultural collision has the potential to end their world as they know it. Based on Nordic folklore, this is a short narrative.

Adult Books About Wolves

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

A hallmark of Tracker's skill set is his uncanny knack for finding things with his "nose." In order to find the mysterious missing boy, his task requires assistance, which is exactly what he finds out when he is given the task. Leopard, a shape-shifting man beast, is one of the oddballs who joins the search for the missing youngster. The inspiration for this tale came from African mythology and history.

American Wolf: The True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee

Yellowstone wolf 0-Six has a fascinating life story, which we'll learn about here. She cares for her pack, raises her young, and avoids hazards like hunters, politicians, and a changing climate. Blakeslee follows her every step of the way. Blakeslee documents the cultural shift occurring in the American West through commentary on how we arrived at this point.

Wolf Totem: A Novel by Jiang Rong

One of China's most well-known folk tales, it tells of the demise of the Mongols and their sacred wolf, the Mongolian Wolf. Mongolia is depicted in the 1960s, where Han Chinese are on a mission to introduce modernity to Mongolians. Grasslands are reduced to ash by a global extinction.

Women Who Run With Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Dr. Estes uses mythology, folklore, and legend from around the world to demonstrate to all women that they each have a Wild Woman within them. A spiritual self-help book, but one that we included because of the many ways cultures around the world use the wolf archetype to find their own personal power.

Finally, even though we didn't mention it, if you're looking for some werewolf literature, we've got you covered.

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