The Wolf of Gubbio

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In medieval Italy, the town of Gubbio was terrorized by a monstrous wolf
until a gentle pilgrim confronted it and entreated it not to harm the
villagers in return for daily food. The man was called Poverello, the
name by which St. Francis of Assisi was known locally, and this is one
of his legends. According to the endnotes, the skull of a large wolf was
actually found beneath the flagstones of the Gubbio chapel dedicated to
St. Francis more than 600 years after his death.

This is the first collaboration between author Michael Bedard and
illustrator Murray Kimber, both of whose previous books have won
Governor General’s Awards. Bedard tells the story through the
viewpoint of a young Gubbio resident who is reflecting on how the large
wolf came to live within his town walls. The boy is filled with wonder
that such a fierce wolf could be tamed so readily, and his incredulity
is apparent as he relates the events.

Kimber has staged each picture so that the action is theatrically
frozen in place, which perfectly matches the dramatic but sedate pace of
the account. Kimber’s faces seem chiselled and the richly layered hues
have a striking stillness. Particularly effective is the illustration in
which the enormous wolf’s shadow is enlarged against the town wall.
Lean and menacing at the outset, Kimber’s wolf changes subtly so that
it appears almost friendly when lapping from a dish. Highly recommended.