The Big Bad Wolf Has a Toothache

Written & illustrated by Daniel Kondo · Published by Carambaia (Brazil) & Alfarroba (Portugal)

Book cover – The Big Bad Wolf Has a Toothache by Daniel Kondo

Synopsis

Everyone knows the Big Bad Wolf — the sharp-toothed villain of countless fairy tales. But this time, he’s not huffing and puffing… he’s howling from a terrible toothache. Desperate for help, the Wolf must swallow his pride and ask the very characters he once terrified — the Three Little Pigs, the Seven Little Kids, and Grandma from Little Red Riding Hood — for a little mercy.

The book’s tall, vertical format invites readers to turn it upside-down as they flip through, transforming the pages into the Wolf’s wide-open mouth. This inventive design blends humor, empathy, and interaction, turning storytime into a playful performance for children and adults alike.

Interior spread showing vertical format

Why It Works

  • Familiar character, fresh twist: a beloved villain turned lovable anti-hero.
  • Interactive design: vertical “mouth” format that engages readers physically.
  • Universal theme: empathy and cooperation told with humor.
  • Minimal text, bold visuals: accessible and easily translatable.

Awards & Recognition

  • Communication Arts Design Annual 2025 — Shortlisted (Books category)
  • Society of Illustrators NYC — Selected for The Original Art Show
  • American Illustration 44 — Featured Selection
  • Revista Crescer — One of the 30 Best Children’s Books of the Year (Brazil)

About the Author

Daniel Kondo is a Brazilian-Japanese author, designer, and illustrator whose work bridges literature, design, and visual storytelling. Winner of the Jabuti Prize 2022 for Best Children’s Book, recognized by the UNESCO Chair of Reading, and featured twice in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – BRAW Amazing Bookshelf, Kondo’s art combines playful geometry and emotion with impeccable graphic precision.

Daniel Kondo portrait

For U.S. Publishers

With its universal humor, inventive book-object design, and acclaimed international track record, The Big Bad Wolf Has a Toothache is primed for English-language publication. Perfect for publishers seeking picture books that combine literary merit with strong commercial appeal.

Rights represented by Adriana Domínguez · Aevitas Creative Management