the latest book from Irish Book Award-shortlisted author and illustrator Tatyana Feeney speaks about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. What a joyous celebration of self-expression this book is. It is aimed to encourage people of all ages to embrace their individuality, express themselves fully and be proud of what makes them stand out from the crowd. Mr Wolf is beside himself with excitement to be invited to the ball, but instead of buying something for the occasion, he and his best friend Sheep decide to make a dress that voices who he is from the inside-out. What Feeney touches on in this book is the futility of gender stereotypes. By nature, stereotypes confine people to a fictitious set of standards that doesn't allow for true originality and self-acceptance. The clothes we choose to wear are an expression of who we are and if one thing's for certain, it's that dresses are most definitely not just for girls
-- Irish Examiner
I read Mr. Wolf Goes to the Ball with 1st and 2nd Class and they loved it! ... I would use this book to introduce pupils how to write invitations and also as an introduction to a S.P.H.E. lesson about recognizing and appreciating the differences between people. The wolf also goes shopping to buy a dress but decides to make his own as the dress is very expensive. As we are beginning to knit in the class, I used this example to encourage the children to be creative. I also read this book with my 4 year old daughter and she loved the illustrations. At the start of the book, the wolf looks through his closet to choose an outfit and this was great for building vocabulary and the pictures created great discussion. The wolf also wears colourful socks throughout the book and my daughter kept commenting on these. I would recommend this book for kids aged 4-7. I give this book 10/10! Thank you for sending us this book. We really enjoyed reviewing it - Hilary O'Connell, Co. Waterford
-- Seomra Ranga
What Meath-based author-illustrator Feeney captures here is a joie de vivre that defies gender stereotypes, as with the sheep's encouragement, Mr Wolf finds his tribe and happily dances the night away. If there is a message to be drawn from Mr Wolf Goes To The Ball it is that being true to one's own feelings is a good route to happiness, especially if you have true friends to help you along the way
-- The Echo
Books are for giving and books are giving. This is how all books make me feel and this one particularly has that feel about it, it makes me want to give it to people, and in a way that is what I am doing here with this review, giving it to you all and managing to keep it for myself too - greedy I know but it is just so wonderfully irresistible!... the story and all the pictures that we are treated to, and they are both an absolute delight ... a book for giving, a book for sharing because it bursts with enthusiasm and love ... A delight
-- Armadillo Magazine
A sweet story with a contemporary twist. The mixed-media illustrations are striking and carefully composed
-- Irish Independent
encouraging words from Sheep reassures Mr Wolf that he can wear anything that makes him feel amazing. A lively tale that encourages us all to be amazing and to follow your heart; warm, reassuring and simply delightful!
-- Fallen Star Stories
this is a beautifully written and illustrated book in a cheerful style to lighten a serious topic
-- Inis Magazine
set in the context of the appropriateness of a mister's choice of clothing, this fun and inclusive story is about unconscious bias versus personal choice
-- CBI's Pride Reading Guide 2023
the moral of this story is so beautiful in that it's all about being whoever you are and feeling free to express yourself in whatever way you want
-- Elaina Ryan, Children's Books Ireland
