Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
Book: Randolph the Christmas Moose: A Yuletide Fable of Empowerment
Author: Gerry Gibson
Illustrator: Matt Taylor
Publisher: Loving Healing Press, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1615995004 Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-1615994991 Paperback
Related website(s): http://www.GerryGibsonAuthor.com (author), http://www.LHPress.com (publisher)
Rating: ***** 5 stars
(5 stars=EXCELLENT; 4 stars=GOOD; 3 stars=FAIR; 2 stars=POOR; 1 star=VERY POOR; no stars=NOT RECOMMENDED)
Gibson, Gerry. Randolph the Christmas Moose: A Yuletide Fable of Empowerment (Published in 2020 by Loving Healing Press, 5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105). Randolph is a young moose who lives with his mother in the Great White North. He has a chance encounter with Rudolph and the reindeer from Santa Claus’ sleigh-pulling team, so he decides to join the reindeer in Santa’s flight school. Randolph finds new joy in trail running as he trains for the job, learning when to run fast and when to run slow, how to make maps of his favorite running trails so he wouldn’t get lost, and how to use the stars to guide him back home at night. However, due to his tremendous bulk, Wilma, the head elf with tiny glasses and no chin, places him at the workshop loading dock instead where Frankie, a rather crusty Arctic fox, is the boss.
Randolph is very disappointed and discouraged. Will he just quit or stick with it? Is there any way that he can use his brains and work ethic to earn respect at his new job? And what happens when the reindeer have an accident on Christmas Eve and cannot pull Santa’s sleigh? This charming and funny story is filled with humor and character building. It will not only entertain children, but also help them to understand that other people’s opinions don’t define them and empowers them to find the uniqueness within themselves that will not allow stereotyping to limit their potential. The book addresses many important childhood themes, including acceptance, endurance, and bullying. The important message about how children can be hard-working, determined, and true to themselves is “BE YOUR OWN MOOSE!”
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing and/or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing and/or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Recommended reading level: Ages 4 – 9
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