It’s Christmas Eve and the animals are getting ready for a big party at bear’s house. A moose called Ugly has the job of collecting everybody and carrying them through the snow. There’s a squirrel, a skunk and a rabbit for starters, each bringing treats and party favors. Soon Ugly is laden down with all the animals perched on his giant antlers as he knocks at the door of bear’s house. But bear has overslept. Will he wake up in time for the Christmas party and what happens when Ugly finds out he’s too big to get through the door?
THE LEGEND OF CHRIS MOOSE by Allen Northcutt (with illustrations by Christy Morris) updates the ugly duckling tale with the story of a moose who has been given the name Ugly because he looks “all shaggy and tattered”. The simple moral story of bullying and name calling and self empowerment contained in Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale requires a little unpacking here. Why Ugly was given the name and by whom is never made exactly clear. And the fact that his animal friends initially take him for granted and only decide to choose another name for him after he has saved the day by loaning out his antlers as a makeshift Christmas tree might make an interesting point of discussion with the children to whom the book is targeted.
Each of the animal characters are introduced in simple rhyme and have fun names that children will enjoy. Squeaky the mouse, Stinky the skunk, Hooty the owl and others each get their own verse and Northcutt’s wordplay is entertaining and effective not least in the clever pun in the title of the book. Morris’ illustrations are wonderfully rendered throughout and the first image of a despondent Ugly gazing at his reflection in the ice is especially poignant. Morris’ artwork and in particular her snowy mountain and forest landscapes evoke a magical festive feeling and children will love meeting the various woodland creatures as they get ready for Christmas.
THE LEGEND OF CHRIS MOOSE is an adorable update of a classic fairy tale and introduces a memorable new character to the festive bookshelves.
~Kent Lane for IndieReader