Published: 1st September 2022
Publisher: Walker Books
Illustrator: Meg McLaren
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★ – 1 Star
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. With wry humor and marvelously rich and clever illustrations that readers will be happy to get lost in, Steve McCarthy’s debut as author-illustrator will speak to even the most timid and bookish of adventurers.
It took three attempts to finish this book. It is long and wordy for a picture book and in the end I skimmed most of it. At 40 pages it’s not the longest but there is a lot of words on each page. One of the reasons it was hard to get through was because it wasn’t that engaging. The premise is good, but with no humour, no rhyme or rhythm to the words, it is also a little boring. It didn’t even cross over into the sweet or charming side.
The story is of Oktober who is scared of the outdoors and wants to have adventures in his books, unlike his siblings who have them in real life. One day when he is out with his family he finds myself lost and has to confront the uncertainty of The Wilderness.
I know there was supposed to be some wonder, or a lesson about taking chances or something but none of that comes across in the story. It doesn’t feel epic or grand, it’s flat and as much as I tried to stay focused on Oktober and his journey I had no interest.
The illustrations are vibrant full colour pages that are intricate and detailed, that’s what kept me trying again and again to read it. It’s rough to almost DNF a picture book but it really didn’t capture me.
You can purchase The Wilderness via the following
