Today's read was something I happened across and decided to give it a go. Why? Well firstly, I do enjoy a nice moose, and this guy seemed like he fit into the category. Then, the setting on the cover caught my attention. A RV? With flowers? The cover screams originality to me.
Then, I read the blurb. You'll notice below that it is one sentence. No more. Quick. Sweet. Concise. It also cleared up my above questions. And a friendship between a truck driver and a moose has to be golden...right? Right?
Anyway, I'm up for something different, and today's read seems to be exactly that. So, let's open this one up and see what's inside.
RUS AND MOOSE
by Chuchu Wang
Yonder
Picture Book
46 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING OCTOBER 7th!!!
What begins as a scary almost-accident turns into a road-trip adventure, and then a lasting friendship between a truck driver and the moose who joins him for a ride.
MY TIDBITS
An unusual friendship brings smiles, while insights into the world of trucking bring readers new impressions of the occupation.
Rus drives a semi truck and delivers things across the entire country. One day, a moose crosses right in front of him and before he can stop, the moose lands in his engine. Luckily, Moose isn't badly hurt. Instead, Rus gets an unique partner to accompany him on his runs. Moose gets to see all sorts of new sights and helps Rus with his loading and deliveries as much as possible. While their friendship blossoms and blooms, Moose begins to miss his family, and the tale take on even more heart.
There are several lovely aspects to this book. First, it centers around an unexpected friendship and shows how very different personalities can still become close friends. Second, it introduces readers to the trucking profession and brings to light the life and duties of a trucker. Last, it highlights the importance of family, and in this case, shows the problem truckers have due to the regular and longer separations. In other words, there's all sorts of goodness in these pages.
The artwork is colorful and holds...hmmm...more realistic aspects and details while working in artistic attributes as well. For example, Rus isn't portrayed with unrealistic features, but rather, carries nods toward more natural details as do the surroundings. Moose, on the other hand, maintains a more cartoony direction. Add in fantastical elements, such as flowers and grass in the truck, and it's an unique melding, which leaves an impression. And it works.
My own husband currently drives a semi, so this read put a smile on my face as it shows aspects of the job, which most readers haven't seen before. I appreciate this direction and found it a nice way to open up the profession beyond the impressive, big rig image. The first scene with Moose stuck in the engine had me raising an eyebrow or two, since this was, actually, ridiculous in every way. While I do wish there was a bit more reality to this situation, readers will be completely fine with it.
Both Moose and Rus are wonderful characters, and the story flows quickly to make this a lovely read-aloud.
You can learn more about Chuchu Wang HERE
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