A fantastic graphic novel for the dog-lovers in your life. With it's heartwarming story and loveable dog, it's suitable for all ages!

This is a cute story that takes place from the dog's point of view. His master puts him into clothing which makes him feel trapped which makes him start talking to a wolf who teaches him how to be a wolf which gets him into a lot of trouble. In the end the dog finds that he is fine just being a dog and that he would do anything for his little girl who is a part of his pack.

Entertaining graphic novel with a dog's perspective. Dog is torn between his inner wolf and his love for his pack/girl. Finds the perfect balance and embraces being a dog!

This book was adorably and so much fun to read! The dog’s thought bubbles and sounds were so silly and charming. My 6 year old loved reading Wagnificent with me.

Right from the very beginning of this graphic novel, we see that Thunder is quite the energetic pup. She loves food, "treasures" (toys), treats and her owner Sage. Sage becomes preoccupied with a phone call one day where she is trying to get another magical robe from a company to aid in hunting down a unicorn. This lack of attention makes Thunder uncomfortable. Her inner wolf emerges as a gray wolf only she can see. He talks to Sage, influencing her that she should find her inner wildness and rip the robe up. Sage is heartbroken, and Thunder feels bad. And the company is out of magical robes. Then that inner gray wolf shows Thunder how to do many things that humans tend not to like; barking, chasing squirrels, and digging past a fence to run in the wild. This behavior irritates Sage until her dog goes missing. Sage goes alone into the nearby woods to look for her. Real wolves corner Sage, and of course da da da…Thunder comes to the rescue. Thunder learns that it's important to stifle her inner wolf and be an obedient dog.

I really like both Thunder and Sage, especially Thunder’s Wagometer and Sage’s living names for her pet like Thunderpants. 

Good story for young readers who like unicorns and dogs, but not a strong contender. I didn’t like Sage going off to find her dog without telling an adult. But there were no adults in the story.
A good graphic novel for young readers who like unicorns and dogs.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Thunder, an exuberant young dog, knows that Sage is her pack. There's plenty of food, "treasures" (toys), and love in their household, and Thunder is usually obedient, since she loves to hang out with Sage. When Sage puts her in a wizard's robe and then gets distracted by making a phone call to get another "magical" robe which will be useful in hunting magical creatures like unicorns, Thunder is uncomfortable. Her inner wolf, in the guise of a gray wolf who talks to her, convinces her that she should embrace her innate wildness and rip the robe up. Sage is heartbroken, and Thunder feels bad. This "inner wolf" shows Thunder how to do any number of things that humans tend not to like; barking, chasing squirrels, and digging past a fence to run in the wild. While Sage is irritated by Thunder's behavior, when the dog is missing, Sage takes off into a nearby woods to look for her. Real wolves corner Sage, and of course Thunder comes to the rescue. Thunder learns that it's important to quiet her inner wolf to exist with her pack, and Sage realizes "you're my magical creature".
Strengths: There are not that many realistic graphic novels that cover dogs, and Thunder was a great character. I enjoyed the information at the end about how dogs coevolved with humans, and the fact that the work of the great canine scientist Alexandra Horowitz is cited. Young dogs need a lot of training, and this could help children understand why they need to connect with their dogs, take them on walks, and introduce them to the rules of the pack. The use of Thunder's "inner wolf" is clever, and seeing the wolf talking to Thunder is amusing, but also makes the reasons for Thunder's behavior very clear.
Weaknesses: This will be most successful for elementary school readers; Sage's interest in the magical robe and finding magical creatures will not resonate with 6th graders, who no longer believe as much in that sort of magic. This would be great in second or third grade, and for older elementary students who still like to role play Hunter's Warriors storylines.
What I really think: This is a good choice for younger readers who enjoyed Lai's Pawcasso or
Fairbairn and Assarasakorn's Paws books, or Ball's Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie (Graphic Novel)

Oh, what a cute story told from the point of view of Thunder, the dog. Thunder has the life but then his inner wolf tries to tell him that the wild is the way to go. The story goes through Thunder’s journey deciding which life is what he wants.

A simple and interesting story of a dog who hallucinates a wolf guiding him to be the original form that he was, due to the fact that all dogs came from wolves at one point in time. Sage, the dog’s owner, is a young girl probably around 9-10 years old who seeks to find magical creatures outside (in this story, there aren’t actually magical creatures but just part of children play) and what’s interesting about what she said was that through the constant seeking of finding magical creatures, she soon realizes that she already had a magical creature, which is her dog. I find it sweet that Sage would describe the dog as a creature of beauty and wonder. Overall, it was a cute book to read with a little bit of adventure, and other than the hallucination part with the wolf… I would say it’s ok for children to read.

Thank you to NetGallery for providing me a digital copy in advance!

I was excited to read Wagnificent for my possible classroom titles, but I have to say I was disappointed. I loved the cover and the artwork especially. The text was surprisingly low level, which can be great for accessibility for lower levels, but the story itself was lacking. I usually love graphic novels and animal stories really captivate my readers. However, the dog seeing the wolf spectre was clear to an adult reading the book that this is a part of him and all dogs, but the complex emotions portrayed felt like they outstripped that lower level text. The girl was a cardboard cut-out with no real memorable traits. The ending with the girl needing rescue had me turning pages. Overall, I don't think it was right for my 5th graders, but marketed as a low-level-high readability for older struggling readers perhaps.

This is super cute. You follow Thunder, a dog learning about her wolf heritage, and the ways that she falls more in love with her life and bond with her human Sage. This is just a warm, feel good kind of graphic novel with some silly humor and adorable illustrations.

This was such a cute book from the perspective of a dog.

I enjoyed the simplicity of Thunder’s inner dialogue, the depictions and the scenarios that created unintentional chaos for sage.

This book kept both my 12 year old & toddler entertained.

we learned a lot from the “pack manners” between each chapter. A beautiful book about friendship.


I volunteered to read this ARC through NetGalley

This book was not my cup of tea. I'm giving it two stars because the artwork is very nice, but the story is just...odd. The whole magic coat / random wolf / finding your inner wolf dialogue just did not flow well and felt forced and contrived. There was nothing that I felt was inappropriate, per se, but it's not one I'll be adding to our library.

Who doesn't like stories with dogs? This is a very adorable book with fun graphics and a great story. Enjoyable for adults and kiddos! Hopefully there will be more stories to come in this series.

*Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. *

This is a wonderful book for younger readers. Who doesn't enjoy a book about a dog? Thunder is not the perfect dog, but he tries. I feel that this is a good story point that would make younger readers think about why Thunder acts this way and how his human can help him. Here's to the adventures of Sage and Thunder! I thank NetGalley and McMillian Publishing Group for the advance read.

"Wagnificent" by Bethanie Deeney Murguia is a heartwarming and delightful picture book that captures the essence of friendship, loyalty, and the joy of canine companionship. With whimsical illustrations and a charming narrative, Murguia brings to life a tale that will resonate with both children and adults alike.

The story revolves around an endearing dog named Wags who embarks on a spirited adventure through a bustling city. From the moment Wags sets paw on the pavement, readers are treated to a visual feast of vibrant scenes and playful encounters. Murguia's illustrations are not only visually captivating but also convey a sense of energy and enthusiasm that mirrors the boundless spirit of our furry protagonist.

What makes "Wagnificent" truly special is its ability to convey meaningful messages through a simple and accessible storyline. The importance of kindness, curiosity, and the joy of making new friends is beautifully woven into the fabric of the narrative. Wags becomes a lovable guide, encouraging readers to embrace the world around them and appreciate the little moments that make life wagnificent.

Murguia's writing is both engaging and poetic, making it a joy to read aloud. The rhythmic cadence of the text enhances the storytelling experience, making it an ideal choice for bedtime or classroom reading sessions. The author's choice of language and playful wordplay adds an extra layer of charm, making "Wagnificent" a story that lingers in the hearts of its readers.

As a celebration of the special bond between humans and their furry friends, "Wagnificent" succeeds admirably. It's a book that not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons about friendship, acceptance, and the beauty of embracing life with an open heart. Bethanie Deeney Murguia has created a truly wagnificent tale that will undoubtedly wag its way into the hearts of readers of all ages.

Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley!

With a dog who looks a little like scooby doo, we are able to finally understand what goes through the K9 mind! Thunder and his human go through different trials and tribulations on the quest to be a good dog that descended from wolves into the wagnificent creature that he is. Follow the two on their journey to get back home and be the good doggo that thunder thinks he is.

This story overall did not hold my attention. It felt like other books out there with similar characters. I do feel like my students would enjoy it once added to my classroom library.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Wagnificent. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It is an adorable tale for any dog lover and the art is so cute. It has some great lessons about embracing your true self.

Clever graphic novel about the relationship between a Sage and her furry best friend, Thunder. The story has so many creative elements including the wag-o-meter, pack manner charts, his worry “wind” and his alter ego of the wolf. This playful story uses this “alter-ego” to teach us that dog’s natural behaviors are derived from wolves.

Sage takes Thunder on her adventures to check the mail, play fetch, and the main goal of making a magical cape to ultimately start unicorn tracking. But after listening to his wolf alter-ego he has other plans and she must change course to be reunited with Thunder.

Thank you NetGalley & McMillians Children for this ARC. Be sure to grab your copy releasing on 7.22.24!