Walk on the Wild Side. (Life in the Wild). Nicholas Oldland. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2015. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-1-77138-109-3. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Roxy Garstad. **** /4

excerpt:

As soon as they finished their last bites, the three friends were off and running. The race was on!

Thanks to his long legs, the moose took an early lead. But the beaver and the bear followed right on his tail.

Then just as the moose rounded a bend in the mountain path, a boulder came tumbling down toward him.

Oldland’s latest picture book from his “Life in the Wild” series, Walk on the Wild Side recounts the story of a bear, a moose and a beaver who decide to go on a mountain hike. After some discussion and a much-needed snack, the trio agree to turn their walk into a race. This does not bode well for the clumsy moose, although much hilarity ensues when the bear attempts a rescue. In the end, though, it is the beaver’s skills that save the day.

     This fast-paced book will appeal to younger children. It has great potential as a fun storytime read. Many parents and teachers will appreciate the message that experiencing the journey is just as important as reaching the end goal. The illustrations are appealing, with various shades of blue and green dominating the scenes. Characters’ expressions are subtle and contribute to the story. The illustrations and text combine together to make for a fun and interesting read.

Highly Recommended.

Roxy Garstad is the Collection Assessment Librarian at MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB.

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