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    Steve McCarthy’s The Wilderness is fantastic look at conquering fear

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    By Jessica on October 20, 2023 ages 4 & up, fall, picture books
    THE WILDERNESS, by Steve McCarthy, Candlewick, Oct. 3, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

    A young boy is forced to face his fear of the outdoors in The Wilderness, a delightful new picture book by Steve McCarthy.

    The Vasylenko family are all adventurers who love wild places and wild things. All, that is, except young Oktober.  

    He also dreams of adventure, but it’s the kind that takes place between the pages of a book, indoors, where it’s safe and warm. Unlike the rest of his family, he dreads venturing out where it’s cold, wet, and home to a creature he calls the Wilderness. His father assures him the wilderness isn’t a monster, but out there, Oktober can only see slimy tails and sharp teeth and so many places for the terrible Wilderness to hide.  

    One day on a hike, Oktober gets separated from his family, and because he doesn’t believe he’s brave enough to be an adventurer, he’s certain his fate is sealed. But maybe getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find courage and a new perspective . . . and an unexpected friend. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

    It’s hard to know where to start when talking about The Wilderness. It’s just a fantastic book from beginning to end. The story in and of itself is spot-on. This metaphor for facing fears is something kids will immediately relate to. Steve McCarthy’s prose is conversational and his pacing perfect.

    Equally enjoyable is McCarthy’s vibrant, stylized illustrations that immediately draw you in. His use of color and texture is fantastic, with his images always giving you just a little bit more to explore.

    The Wilderness is an excellent picture book that kids and their grownups will love.

     

    Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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    Jessica Harrison is the main reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. Prior to creating Cracking the Cover, Jessica worked as the in-house book critic for the Deseret News, a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. Jessica also worked as a copy editor and general features writer for the paper. Following that, Jessica spent two years with an international company as a social media specialist. Jessica is currently a freelance writer/editor. In 2023, she was selected to be one of the first-round judges for the Cybils Awards — middle-grade fiction. She is passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices.

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