Staff Reviews

The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharp is a cautionary tale. Our protagonist is a savvy sheep named Bellwether who lives a solitary life in his cottage just outside of the forest. When he realizes that he is almost out of blackberries, “running perilously low,” he reasons that he can easily get more in the forest. But, he has heard wolves howling from the forest and he’s terrified of becoming their next meal. Having tried (and failed) to conquer his fear, he comes up with a plan to use his “impeccable crafting skills” to create a realistic wolf suit. Once completed, “instead of himself, he was someone else.” Emboldened in his disguise he sets out to pick berries. Predictably, he runs into the wolves who politely introduce themselves, welcome him as the new wolf to the forest, and invite him to a wolf gathering happening later that night. Nervously, Bellwether accepts the invitation and they agree to meet later. He notices that his wolf suit is starting to come apart at the seam but figures he might as well get those blackberries. After encountering brambles, sticks, moths and bad timing he’s back with the wolves in a now tattered wolf suit that continues to unravel. Until: “Bellwether...are you a sheep?” His cover is blown and he is prepared to meet his doom. Until: no, I’m not going to spoil it. Suffice it to say there are no sheep eaten in this story.

For the past 30 years I have had the great good fortune to wear a “bookseller suit.” The time has come for me to hang up the suit and join you on the other side of the sales counter! Thank you for your excellent patronage—it has not gone unnoticed.