Making the Moose Out of Life (Life In The Wild)

by Nicholas Oldland (Author) Nicholas Oldland (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the creator of Big Bear Hug comes the comic-adventure story of a mild-mannered moose who learns how to take life by the antlers. This moose may live in the wild, but he doesn't act it --- he watches from the sidelines as his friends have fun. Every now and then, he wonders if he's missing out on anything.When the moose finally takes a chance and goes on a solo sailing trip, a raging storm carries him far from everything he knows. Will he curl up in a ball and cry, or make the most of it? The moose's unlikely hero-journey is a lighthearted, contemporary fable that celebrates living life to the fullest.

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Publishers Weekly

The moose who had a cameo in Oldlands Big Bear Hug (2009) makes the most of this starring role. Though he lives in the wild, the timid, wide-eyed fellow is anything but. While his friends go puddle jumping in the rain, he cowers under an umbrella, and he looks on shivering when others go skiing: Not this moose. Too cold. Sensing hes missing out on something, the moose decides to take life by the antlers and sets sail in a boat that breaks apart in a storm. Stranded on a remote island, he not only summons survival skills--foraging for food, building shelter and a fire--but happily swims and surfs with a new tortoise pal. Oldlands digital illustrations are as spare as the text, combining spot images and scenes that reveal expanses of sea and sky in lovely aqua and teal tones. His friends warmly welcome the moose after a cruise ship drops him home, where his newfound sense of adventure thrives. A fable with a valuable message, delivered with understated humor. Ages 37. (Aug.) Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Mild-mannered Moose never joins his friends when they go puddle jumping, kite flying, or skiing. He always feels like he is missing out on something, but he's not certain what. When he sets out alone in a sailboat, he drifts along until he's caught up in a raging storm. He battles the sea and is washed away to a deserted island. It's here that he learns how to fend for himself and he meets a new friend, a tortoise named Tuesday. They swim, surf, and roast coconuts together. When Moose is rescued by a cruise ship, he embraces shipboard life, taking part in all of the activities. Finally, he returns to his former friends and is now ready to join them and have some fun. Moose made a cameo appearance in Big Bear Hug (Kids Can, 2009), and he's just too adorable not to care about him. The illustrations are in muted outdoorsy colors of brown, green, and blue with a contemporary folk-art look. The story's message is clear and Moose will inspire young readers (and the adults in their lives) to explore and savor all that surrounds them. Charming and simply told, this moose-sized tale is sure to please.--Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

A fable with a valuable message, delivered with understated humor.—Publishers Weekly

Nicholas Oldland
Nicholas Oldland enjoyed success as a commercial artist before taking up the role of creative director at Hatley and Little Blue House, popular apparel companies he runs with his brothers. He is the author-illustrator of the Life in the Wild series and Dinosaur Countdown. Nicholas lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his family.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781554536276
Lexile Measure
570
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Kids Can Press
Publication date
August 01, 2015
Series
Life in the Wild
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002290 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Deer, Moose & Caribou
Library of Congress categories
-

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