Spruce the Moose Cuts Loose

Spruce the moose's enormous antlers cause him all sorts of problems in his daily life

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Poor Spruce! His antlers grow well past midwinter and become unwieldy and hazardous. When he can't reach the present he has made for his friend Bascom's birthday, it is just too much. The chagrined moose trudges to the party late and becomes even more embarrassed when he gets stuck in a doorway. He confesses to the terrible time he's had and apologizes for ruining the party. His friends reassure him with a hug, the antlers fall off, and--presto--the perfect gift appears. Stapler's illustrations burst through the borders, extending the humor of the very large animal in a much-too-confined space. Soft watercolors create homey, cosy interiors that reflect the animals' friendship and contrast with the outdoor winter scenes. Although the plot doesn't live up to the fun promised in the rhyming title, the story is nonetheless a warm one. The unconditional friendship offered by Spruce's buddies should be comforting to young readers. --Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a northern wilderness dotted with log cabins (just near Moosemelookalike Lake), a small moose grapples with a big problem. Spruce's antlers continue to grow long after midwinter, when they were supposed to have fallen off. The meddlesome appendages disturb Spruce's sleep, get caught in the trees, and "on Monday, he got stuck in the bathroom door and spent an hour getting loose." His buddies try to comfort him, but to no avail. At his pal Bascom's birthday party, the antlers finally snap off--leaving Spruce with a splendid trophy to present to his friend. Cheerful illustrations with a cartoony rusticity--and many "woodsy" touches--add a certain winsomeness to this slight but frolicsome tale. Stapler's personification of snugly sweater-clad creatures is as bracing as a steaming cup of cider. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.