Juvenile Fiction
Illustrator: Amanda Ravensdale
Date Published: June 10, 2025
Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing
As Mama Wolf departs with a tender kiss, Caleb is left with a swirl of emotions-doubt, fear, and curiosity. Can Mama truly repair their den? What will it be like to live with a new family? And most importantly, will she keep her promise to return?
Join Caleb on his journey of discovery as he learns what it means to be part of a new family, while Mama Wolf works tirelessly to secure their home. Through the experiences of both Caleb and his foster family, this enchanting story reminds us all that raising little ones in safety and love takes not just a parent, but an entire forest.
Interview with Jessie Todd
What is your favorite part of the book?
My favorite part of this book is when the forest characters go to take Caleb home and see Mama Wolf's freshly finished den. I love how the entire forest has come around these two characters in their time of crisis and can then celebrate when they are reunited.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
The messages of this book are simple, but important. It's that when there is a crisis, it is an important and brave step to ask for help. And when someone in crisis asks for help, there are so many ways to be supportive. And finally, both helping others and being helped are, in themselves, a type of blessing and honor.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
The character of Caleb is loosely based on my little brother, Jacob, who was adopted from foster care. And the Badger family is similar to my family as we learned how to help a child in a crisis situation. But we have seen many people embody different characters of this story in their own journeys of caring for those who need help.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?
I always loved the character of Mama Wolf and celebrate her bravery. It is not an easy thing to admit that you need help, especially help caring for your own cub-- but it was because of her bravery in knowing her limits and reaching out for assistance that she was able to provide a safe place for her cub in the end.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
I don't think there's a character in this book who would be hard to get along with!
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
The character of Caleb would probably say I could learn a thing or two about catching mice and fish. :) And I think he would say he's happy to invite me over to his new den.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
This book can stand on its own, but I do hope that Mama Wolf and Caleb have many more adventures now that they are reunited.
Jessie Todd Mayfield lives in Akron, Ohio where she works as a labor and delivery nurse by night and writer by day. She is passionate about children’s literature from her years of teaching English abroad, and about at-risk children from her family’s own involvement with the ministry Safe Families for Children and foster care—namely her youngest brother, Jacob, who was adopted from foster care. Jessie loves to write songs and travel the country with her bluegrass musician husband, David, who is her greatest encourager and sweetest soulmate. She is grateful for her family who has championed this project, and the many families doing the hard work of making their homes a safe place for children—whether theirs or someone else’s.
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