2012 Blue Spruce™ Nominees: the next 3 books

Making the Moose Out of Life
Nicholas Oldland

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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A good enjoyable, humorous story. Great for story telling time and lends itself to all kinds of follow up activities and discussions with students.



Noni Says No by Heather Hartt-Sussman, Geneviève Côté

Noni can do many things: she can give her baby brother his bottle, she can help her mother in the kitchen, and she can even walk over to her friend Susie’s house. But Noni just can’t say “no.” When she was very small, it was easy saying “no” to everybody, but now that she has a best friend, she wants to please. Noni can’t say “no” to her friend, even when it means she has to hand over a precious toy, or when it means agreeing to a hideous haircut, or even giving up her bed at a sleepover. But when Noni finally finds her voice, the consequences are not what she – or the reader – expects.

Heather Hartt-Sussman’s story, complemented by the playful illustrations of Geneviève Côté, is a comforting exploration of friendship and of the importance of trusting one’s own judgment. Many children (as well as many adults) will root for Noni as she learns that you can stand up for yourself and still be a good friend.
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A great message about children's right-to-pass. While some colleagues I spoke to thought that this book may encourage students to be contrary in the classroom (Did we read the same book?) I think that they missed the point of the story. Maybe some of their pages stuck together. This book will be fabulous for any young student who needs to find their own voice. Being empowered to say 'no' can help students when faced with peer pressure, bullying and those instances when they really just don't want to join in.


One Hockey Night by David Ward, Brian Deines

For Owen, winter is all about hockey. It’s December, and his family has just moved to the east coast. He’s shovelled snow. He’s practised shots in the driveway. But he hasn’t skated on ice. Now it’s Christmas Eve, and it’s time for a secret to be revealed!

A hockey story – and a holiday story – with a heartwarming Canadian setting.