THIS PAGE

INTENTIONALLY

LEFT BLANK

For Michael and James

Text and illustrations copyright © 2007 by Joe Kulka

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this bookmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyform or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, orotherwise—without the prior written permission of Lerner PublishingGroup, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Carolrhoda Books, Inc. A division of Lerner Publishing Group241 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A.

Website address: www.lernerbooks.com

Kulka, Joe.Wolf’s coming! / by Joe Kulka.

p. cm.Summary: All of the animals in the forest go into hiding because the

wolf is coming, but why they are hiding is the big surprise.ISBN-13: 978–1–57505–930–3 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)ISBN-10: 1–57505–930–4 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)1. Children’s poetry, American. 2. Birthdays—Juvenile literature.

I. Title. PS3611.U435W65 2007811'.6—dc22 2006013865

Manufactured in the United States of America1 2 3 4 5 6 – J R – 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 9 0 8 0 7

eISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8773-6

T CAROLRHODA BOOKS, INC. MINNEAPOLIS • NEW YORK

JOE KULKA

A distant howl rides the breeze,echoing through all the trees.

Hurry, HURRY!Don’t be slow!

Follow me. C’mon, let’s go!

A shadowy figure climbs the hill,getting close and closer still.

Faster, FASTER!Take my hand!Run back home like we planned.

WOLF’S COMING!WOLF’S COMING!

Shadows lengthen. It’s getting late.The wolf is NOW outside the gate.

Quickly! QUICKLY!Get inside!

Shut the door, better hide.

The moonlight shines on his fangs.His belly growls with hunger pangs.

Closer, CLOSER.

Next to me.Pull the shade

so he can’t see.

WOLF’S COMING!WOLF’S COMING!

Glowing ember eyes appear.Pointed ears strain to hear.

Hush now, HUSH NOW.

Not a peep.You must be still, like you’re asleep.

WOLF’S HERE!WOLF’S HERE!

The front door opens with a creak.The big wolf leans in for a peek.

Tightly, TIGHTLY,shut your eyes.

With all your might yell . . .

SURSUR

PR ISE ! ! !PR ISE ! ! !

Laughing, LAUGHING!So much fun!

Cake and pizza for everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WOLF!