Making the Moose Out of Life. Nicholas Oldland. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2010. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-580-4. Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7. Review by Ian Stewart. **** /4

excerpt:

Once there was a moose who lived in the wild
but didn't act wild at all.

When it rained, his friends would go puddle
jumping. Not this moose. Too wet.

When it snowed, his friends
would go skiing. Not this moose. Too cold.

But every now and then, the moose
Got the feeling he was missing out
On something.

What could it be?

Young students will love Nicolas Oldland's delightful tale of a mild-mannered moose that, as we read in the excerpt, refuses to take part in life's little adventures. The simple uncluttered illustrations, which remind one of the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show, are perfectly suited to the mood of the story.

     One day Moose decided that it was time to take "life by the antlers." We don't know why he made his decision. Perhaps, it was getting hit in the head by his friend Beaver's errant golf ball. Obviously Beaver's caddy, Bear, didn't holler "Fore!" loudly enough.

      In any event, Moose sets off in a sailboat to seek adventure, and, boy, does he find it. When a storm comes up, he is marooned on a desert island. But, instead of being dejected, Moose sets out to make a good life for himself and even makes friends with a tortoise named Tuesday. They played volleyball, swam, surfed and roasted coconuts by the fire.

      One day, Moose was rescued and, after he made his way home, he invited his friends to go cliff jumping. He continued his life of adventure and wrote to Tuesday, " I feel like a new moose. I am always doing something fun and exciting."

      Children will readily understand that Moose's life became happier when he chose to take some risks and discovers his inner resiliency and resourcefulness. I am sure Moose said to himself, more than once, "A moose can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs."

Highly Recommended.

Ian Stewart teaches at David Livingstone School in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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