The Ballad of Wilbur and the Moose - Hardcover

John Stadler is the author of almost 30 children’s books, among them the recent Big & Little and the bestselling Hooray for Snail. Many of his titles have been selected by ALA Editor’s Choice, the CBC’s Children’s Choice, and Reading Rainbow. He lives with his wife, Nomi, in New Hampshire.

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Given the title, it should come as no surprise that this picture book is a rhymed ballad, not the easiest genre for an author to develop creatively. Stadler, however, does manage to move the story along despite the constraints of form, with a minimum of awkward verse and rhyme. The story line is silly but not particularly engaging: Wilbur Little, boy pig-herder, drinks lime juice and rides a blue moose. How and whom he herds is the basis of the tale. However, Stadler's cartoon-styled illustrations are more fun: simply drawn people and critters, some staring googly-eyed directly at readers; funny expressions; humorous details such as tennis shoes on the moose; and busy, animated crowd scenes are particularly enjoyable. The story is just zany enough to hold the attention of young children and just detailed enough to attract close inspection of the pages. --Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, Wis.
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