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Life in the Wild
A jámbor jávorszarvas
A három könyv (A hebrencs hód, A jámbor jávorszarvas és A melegszívű medve) három szereplője felváltva kap főszerepet a bájos, könnyed humorú, tanulságos, de nagyon is mai mesékben.
A szerző, Nicholas Oldland, művészeti diplomát szerzett Kanadában. A könyvek remek, lényegre törő és vidám szövegei mellett a velük összhangban álló egyedi képi világ is része a meghatározó élménynek, amit a könyvek olvasása jelent.
A jámbor jávorszarvas kalandjaiból megtudhatja az olvasó, hogyan kell felfedezni és élvezni az élet apró örömeit.
A szerző, Nicholas Oldland, művészeti diplomát szerzett Kanadában. A könyvek remek, lényegre törő és vidám szövegei mellett a velük összhangban álló egyedi képi világ is része a meghatározó élménynek, amit a könyvek olvasása jelent.
A jámbor jávorszarvas kalandjaiból megtudhatja az olvasó, hogyan kell felfedezni és élvezni az élet apró örömeit.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Oldland
20 books43 followersNicholas Oldland earned a degree in Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada and enjoyed success as a commercial artist and filmmaker before taking up the role of Creative Director at Hatley, a popular apparel company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 17, 2020
brian got me this book.
i'm not sure if his reasoning was
1) because it is canadian
2) because of the "clever" wordplay of the title
3) because he thinks that a picture book is the limit of my intellectual capacity
or
4) because it ends up being a survival narrative and he knows how i like those
i am going to go with option #2. and grumble about it.
this is a story about a moose who is very fearful of life and all its possibilities, when the possibilities require him to do anything involving movement or discomfort. oh, maybe brian is calling me lazy…
he does not like to get wet so he will not puddle jump. he does not like the wind, so he will not go kite flying. he does not like the cold, so he will not go skiing.
this moose is one heck of a wet blanket.
eventually, he starts feeling an emptiness inside of him, watching everyone else having fun and wondering if maybe it is possible that his stubbornness and grumpiness is holding him back in life.
so he goes against form one day, jumps into an idling sailboat and takes it for a spin. going from zero to grand theft boat is a pretty drastic change, so it is no surprise when karma sends a storm his way (with a picture of a shark near the boat, although no text to accompany the sighting) and he somehow ends up stranded on a desert island. no one knows how a sailboat parked in a lake in which there are many pine trees ended up on a desert island with many palm trees, or what kind of poorly-thought-out story is being sold here, but no matter. now we have a moose in a tiny island.
and instead of bitching and moaning about it, he pulls himself up by his antler-straps and goes out and gets all robinson crusoe and finds water and food, builds a shelter, makes a signal fire, and befriends a tortoise, with whom he plays volleyball.
they have a great deal of fun together, and the moose's inability to engage in life seems to be cured - hooRAY!
but one day, a cruise ship comes to the rescue! leaving his little tortoise-buddy behind, our moose-hero clambers aboard the cruise ship for rescue and shuffleboard! see?? you see? he has learned his lesson and now he is able to actually be a part of his own life! and he loves it!!
and once he gets home to the other animals with whom he had refused to puddle jump etc (who are, for some reason really glad to see this formerly super-lame moose), he finds that the lessons he learned have carried over into his old environment, and now he knows how to have fun and everything is super peachy-keen! and he becomes pen pals with the tortoise, although why, if there is regular mail-delivery to the desert island, he wasn't rescued far sooner is anyone's guess! whe!
thank you for the book, brian! i read the whole thing!!
come to my blog!
i'm not sure if his reasoning was
1) because it is canadian
2) because of the "clever" wordplay of the title
3) because he thinks that a picture book is the limit of my intellectual capacity
or
4) because it ends up being a survival narrative and he knows how i like those
i am going to go with option #2. and grumble about it.
this is a story about a moose who is very fearful of life and all its possibilities, when the possibilities require him to do anything involving movement or discomfort. oh, maybe brian is calling me lazy…
he does not like to get wet so he will not puddle jump. he does not like the wind, so he will not go kite flying. he does not like the cold, so he will not go skiing.
this moose is one heck of a wet blanket.
eventually, he starts feeling an emptiness inside of him, watching everyone else having fun and wondering if maybe it is possible that his stubbornness and grumpiness is holding him back in life.
so he goes against form one day, jumps into an idling sailboat and takes it for a spin. going from zero to grand theft boat is a pretty drastic change, so it is no surprise when karma sends a storm his way (with a picture of a shark near the boat, although no text to accompany the sighting) and he somehow ends up stranded on a desert island. no one knows how a sailboat parked in a lake in which there are many pine trees ended up on a desert island with many palm trees, or what kind of poorly-thought-out story is being sold here, but no matter. now we have a moose in a tiny island.
and instead of bitching and moaning about it, he pulls himself up by his antler-straps and goes out and gets all robinson crusoe and finds water and food, builds a shelter, makes a signal fire, and befriends a tortoise, with whom he plays volleyball.
they have a great deal of fun together, and the moose's inability to engage in life seems to be cured - hooRAY!
but one day, a cruise ship comes to the rescue! leaving his little tortoise-buddy behind, our moose-hero clambers aboard the cruise ship for rescue and shuffleboard! see?? you see? he has learned his lesson and now he is able to actually be a part of his own life! and he loves it!!
and once he gets home to the other animals with whom he had refused to puddle jump etc (who are, for some reason really glad to see this formerly super-lame moose), he finds that the lessons he learned have carried over into his old environment, and now he knows how to have fun and everything is super peachy-keen! and he becomes pen pals with the tortoise, although why, if there is regular mail-delivery to the desert island, he wasn't rescued far sooner is anyone's guess! whe!
thank you for the book, brian! i read the whole thing!!
come to my blog!
November 20, 2018
Making the Moose Out of Life is a funny modern tale about living your life to the fullest. Recommended.
August 24, 2011
This is another "children's" book that I think is clearly meant for adults who need to be motivated. I hate cheesy motivational stuff, so these kind of books really make me smile, think and wonder about my life.
So a moose realizes he's sheltered himself and sets out to find and experience what he's been missing out on.
If you find yourself in a hermit-like state, staying home or within your safe zone, but finding you want so much more, then this might be the book for you.
So a moose realizes he's sheltered himself and sets out to find and experience what he's been missing out on.
If you find yourself in a hermit-like state, staying home or within your safe zone, but finding you want so much more, then this might be the book for you.
March 7, 2019
This is a silly story that has lots of unanswered questions... but a pretty good theme.
Moose always stays on the sidelines while his friends play. He never wants to join in and, as a result, starts to feel like he's missing out on life. So he takes a sailboat that just happens to be floating nearby, puts on his life jacket, and goes for a sail... only to get blown way off course by a storm. He ends up on a deserted island. While he could've curled up and cried, he decides to make the most of it. He learns survival skills and makes a tortoise friend (named Tuesday). Eventually, he's rescued by a cruise ship and returns home to his friends with a newfound appreciation for all that life has to offer.
I like the message about rolling with the punches. Moose learns to make the best of whatever situation he's in. How that's shown, however, is a little unrealistic. Unlike in Big Bear Hug, where the bear was still pretty much a bear, Moose is very anthropomorphized... to the point where he's not even really recognizable as a moose. He spears fish (I don't think moose even eat fish... do they?) and builds fires while he's on the island, and then takes up shuffleboard and eats hamburgers while on the cruise. I think I would've preferred to see Moose do things in a more moose-like way.
Other than that, though, I think the message is a strong one. Moose learns that he needs to take life by the antlers to be fulfilled. He can't just sit around and wait for life to happen to him (after all, he tried that, and he missed out on a lot of fun with his friends).
But I'm still trying to figure out how he ended up on an island in the Caribbean...
Quotable moment:
Moose always stays on the sidelines while his friends play. He never wants to join in and, as a result, starts to feel like he's missing out on life. So he takes a sailboat that just happens to be floating nearby, puts on his life jacket, and goes for a sail... only to get blown way off course by a storm. He ends up on a deserted island. While he could've curled up and cried, he decides to make the most of it. He learns survival skills and makes a tortoise friend (named Tuesday). Eventually, he's rescued by a cruise ship and returns home to his friends with a newfound appreciation for all that life has to offer.
I like the message about rolling with the punches. Moose learns to make the best of whatever situation he's in. How that's shown, however, is a little unrealistic. Unlike in Big Bear Hug, where the bear was still pretty much a bear, Moose is very anthropomorphized... to the point where he's not even really recognizable as a moose. He spears fish (I don't think moose even eat fish... do they?) and builds fires while he's on the island, and then takes up shuffleboard and eats hamburgers while on the cruise. I think I would've preferred to see Moose do things in a more moose-like way.
Other than that, though, I think the message is a strong one. Moose learns that he needs to take life by the antlers to be fulfilled. He can't just sit around and wait for life to happen to him (after all, he tried that, and he missed out on a lot of fun with his friends).
But I'm still trying to figure out how he ended up on an island in the Caribbean...
Quotable moment:
April 9, 2021
A cautious moose learns he can get more out of life by having an adventure now and then.
I do love that blank expression!
I do love that blank expression!
January 29, 2020
Moose was not the sort of animal to take life by the horns: not for him the puddle-jumping, kite-flying, downhill-skiing, and cliff-jumping that his friends Bear and Beaver enjoyed. No, he preferred to stay safe, warm and dry. But then one day, as he was watching his friends cavort, it suddenly occurred to him that he might be missing something, by always standing on the sidelines. Impulsively stepping into a sailboat, Moose began a solo voyage that would take him through tempest-tossed seas, to desert islands, and through a wild cruise: in short, the sort of voyage that requires a lot of active participation!
After finding Nicholas Oldland's debut picture-book, Big Bear Hug , absolutely hysterical, I had high hopes for this second venture. I was pleased to see that the ursine hero of that earlier title reappears here, as one of Moose's friends, and I enjoyed the story, which highlights the idea that the more you invest in life, the more you get out of it. I don't think Making the Moose Out of Life is quite the equal of Big Bear Hug , which had me in stitches, but it was appealing enough that I intend to pick up a copy of Oldland's forthcoming third title, The Busy Beaver , due out this August. Recommended to young readers who enjoy animal stories, to kids who tend to stay on the sidelines, and to fans of Nicholas Oldland.
After finding Nicholas Oldland's debut picture-book, Big Bear Hug , absolutely hysterical, I had high hopes for this second venture. I was pleased to see that the ursine hero of that earlier title reappears here, as one of Moose's friends, and I enjoyed the story, which highlights the idea that the more you invest in life, the more you get out of it. I don't think Making the Moose Out of Life is quite the equal of Big Bear Hug , which had me in stitches, but it was appealing enough that I intend to pick up a copy of Oldland's forthcoming third title, The Busy Beaver , due out this August. Recommended to young readers who enjoy animal stories, to kids who tend to stay on the sidelines, and to fans of Nicholas Oldland.
September 8, 2020
Very cute story, looks like Robinson Crusoe and his friend Friday
February 11, 2017
Moose never acted like a moose and he knew he was missing out. Mediating, star gazing, internet searching and a few other means didn’t provide what he was searching for so he decides to set sail in hopes that a water adventure might be what he needs. Washed up on the shore of a an island after a storm, Moose finds a tortoise and the two of them are faced with difficulties that allow Moose to find what he had been searching for. Moose found a life and he found himself on the island. As a cruise ship sails by the island, Moose knows it is time that he leaves the island behind. As he reunites with his friend’s beaver and bear, the three friends are happy to be back together. Moose was a changed animal back on the island but will his old friends like the new Moose? I really enjoy the illustrations that accompany this text, so simple but they really tell the story. This author does a great job in simplify the information and telling the story so even small children can understand the story and I really enjoy this. The facial expressions and the actions of the animals are exceptional. Truly a wonderful book.
January 2, 2019
Making the Moose Out of Life was an adorable story with tons of clever word play and delightfully goofy illustrations.
I feel that adults and children can equally relate to Moose's narrative.
I feel that adults and children can equally relate to Moose's narrative.
January 7, 2020
Moose is too mild-mannered to do all the activities his friends are doing. He would rather sit quietly, but feels left out. He decides to try new things and take risks, and it takes him on a journey he never could have imagined.
This picture book is adorable! I love the cartoony illustrations with clear lines and bright colors. I love the simple storyline that conveys deep emotions in just a few words. The Moose is a sweet and relatable character, and I love all the crazy things he does to have a full life. He goes sailing and canoeing, learns to spear fish, goes surfing, and plays volleyball and hockey.
Sweet and hilarious, this book is perfect for reading with young children!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This picture book is adorable! I love the cartoony illustrations with clear lines and bright colors. I love the simple storyline that conveys deep emotions in just a few words. The Moose is a sweet and relatable character, and I love all the crazy things he does to have a full life. He goes sailing and canoeing, learns to spear fish, goes surfing, and plays volleyball and hockey.
Sweet and hilarious, this book is perfect for reading with young children!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
April 13, 2020
What do I love most about the moose, the bear and the beaver books by Nicholas Oldland? Opening this book is like the heralding of a trumpet - whichever grandchildren are within earshot when I begin reading, come clambering onto my arms and shoulders to peer into the book and listen . It doesn't matter how many times I read this and it doesn't seem to matter if they are two or ten years old, arms and legs are everywhere vying for the spot closest to (me) the book
(this review repeats itself on all of the moose, the bear, and the beaver books by Oldland)
(this review repeats itself on all of the moose, the bear, and the beaver books by Oldland)
October 27, 2019
Nagyon vicces volt. A teknősön már besírtam (hogy Tegnapnak hívták, meg azért az ábrázata sem volt semmi :D).
January 30, 2020
Cute story!!! Love the pictures!!
March 8, 2021
Moose lives a very sheltered life and then goes on a fun adventure. It is cute seeing the animals doing human things.
Read
December 20, 2024moose fomo goes crazy
November 11, 2012
A picture book in the vein of Scardey Squirrel that centers on the struggle of a moose who can't let himself let go of his fears and embrace life. He strikes out on a sailboat, and discovers that there is fun in risk taking!
Really delightful illustrations, but the story was only okay for me (perhaps because it's so close to my favorite squirrel?!?). Kids will probably relate to being scared and not able to do things their friends are doing -- life is a lot more intimidating when you're little!
Really delightful illustrations, but the story was only okay for me (perhaps because it's so close to my favorite squirrel?!?). Kids will probably relate to being scared and not able to do things their friends are doing -- life is a lot more intimidating when you're little!
August 10, 2016
I found the unadventurous stay at home Moose very relatable; spontaneous Moose appeared to have more fun though. So does this mean that I should take a page from this book, step outside my comfort zone and live life to the fullest??? Maybe...if I ever finish off these piles of library books.
A cute little read for your adventurous or not so adventurous kiddos.
A cute little read for your adventurous or not so adventurous kiddos.
March 24, 2016
Extremely silly and inspired book about a moose who comes out of his shell in a big way. Adults will be laughing, too.
Veg*n parents note: At one point the moose learns how to spear fish, and this is shown in an illustration.
Veg*n parents note: At one point the moose learns how to spear fish, and this is shown in an illustration.
March 2, 2018
This is one of the worst children's books I have ever read. It is sad really because it easily could have been a nice book, save for a couple of big detractors. Basically, you have a moose that isn't participating in life, and you feel bad for him because he could be having fun, though unrealistically, with his squirrel and bear friends. One spread in the book in particular ruined it for me. Moose realized something was missing in his life so, "The moose tried meditating . . . Searching the Internet . . . Looking into a crystal ball . . . Praying to the Moose above . . . And scanning the night sky. But the moose didn't find a thing."
Basically, because of these two pages in the book, it became a book that encouraged "eat, drink, and be merry" rather than a book about making the most out of life and having fun when you have the opportunity. I also have a Christian worldview, so there was no way this was going to be something I continued reading to my kids. If eat, drink, and be merry is your outlook on life, you'll probably enjoy the book.
Basically, because of these two pages in the book, it became a book that encouraged "eat, drink, and be merry" rather than a book about making the most out of life and having fun when you have the opportunity. I also have a Christian worldview, so there was no way this was going to be something I continued reading to my kids. If eat, drink, and be merry is your outlook on life, you'll probably enjoy the book.
April 1, 2025
Moose doesn't like to do many moose-like or active things. He's not into puddle jumping, or swimming, or winter sports. But when he starts feeling a little dissatisfied, he works up the gumption to try sailing...and it ends somewhat catastrophically. Will this make moose even more of a recluse? Or will his experience change him in other ways?
Sometimes people have to learn they can survive and thrive in tough circumstances to be able to try "wild" or new things. Moose is one of those. Being a castaway is pretty extreme, but it and then facing a second boat ride that isn't bad at all helps him spread his wings so to speak. I personally wasn't thrilled with the list of things Moose tries to find the answer to his restless spirit, like consulting a crystal ball or consulting the great Moose above (who doesn't provide any answers). That's a personal preference and I know many families won't have any issues with that section at all. I did like the castaway sequence and what follows after a lot.
Sometimes people have to learn they can survive and thrive in tough circumstances to be able to try "wild" or new things. Moose is one of those. Being a castaway is pretty extreme, but it and then facing a second boat ride that isn't bad at all helps him spread his wings so to speak. I personally wasn't thrilled with the list of things Moose tries to find the answer to his restless spirit, like consulting a crystal ball or consulting the great Moose above (who doesn't provide any answers). That's a personal preference and I know many families won't have any issues with that section at all. I did like the castaway sequence and what follows after a lot.
September 20, 2024
I love this author's books and have now read all of the releases in this series.
This book, Making the Moose Out of Life is the second in the series and it is fine to read as a stand alone as are the other books in the series I do recommend them all as they are all excellent in their own ways.
I love the illustrations in this series, they work so well with the text to bring everything to life for the reader.
This story is well written and easy to read and follow, Moose is a great character and I liked the messaging in the book too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
This book, Making the Moose Out of Life is the second in the series and it is fine to read as a stand alone as are the other books in the series I do recommend them all as they are all excellent in their own ways.
I love the illustrations in this series, they work so well with the text to bring everything to life for the reader.
This story is well written and easy to read and follow, Moose is a great character and I liked the messaging in the book too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
July 8, 2017
Essentially a story about trying new things and taking chances. Great for some kids, maybe not for others. (Moose talks about cliff diving at the end of the story!)
Funny and entertaining. We see Moose as very timid in the beginning of the story and really missing out on life. He finally decides to try something new and it leads to a shipwreck, a new friend, new adventures, and a new outlook on life. Fun picture book.
Funny and entertaining. We see Moose as very timid in the beginning of the story and really missing out on life. He finally decides to try something new and it leads to a shipwreck, a new friend, new adventures, and a new outlook on life. Fun picture book.
January 22, 2018
Excellent! There's a passive, sheltered moose that, like many adults, is content where he is and doesn't want to do anything different. There's always an excuse: too cold, too windy, etc. But deep down he knew he needed something else, something more, like we all do. The circumstances will force him to get out of his bubble and he will find himself along the way. Great story and the illustrations are perfect. They have the planned, controlled imperfections that are great for children's books.
Read
August 16, 2020The moose thought he was missing out on the wild things his friends were doing, so he goes on a boat and then gets stranded on an island with a turtle. He learns the skills that his friends had without their support and one day gets rescued. When he arrives back home he meets with his friends and they do the fun things they used to do before he left. Moral: You can find your happiness on an adventure, but you can also find it at home.
October 31, 2017
This one was a 3 1/2 stars for me. The title drew me in. I loved the idea of it but felt it missed an element of what really matters most. The moose learns to have fun, makes a new friend, travels, and takes some risks with leisure activities, but I wanted him to experience something with more substance too.
June 25, 2018
Very cute illustrations bump this up to 4 stars, and what a great cast with a moose, a beaver, and a bear. Glad moose was able to find his way on how to actively participate in life, rather than just sit idly by. Kudos to bear and beaver for already being self-confident enough to know how to make the most of the lives we're given. Would be a fun illustrated series to give the younger set.
January 13, 2020
This book is in the charming series of LIFE IN THE WILD. In this "episode" Moose is the main character. He teaches himself to be more adventurous by trying new things. The lesson is that it is fun to try new things with a new friend. Moose's new friend is turtle. Bear and Beaver watch Moose try, leave, and return. Very sweet adult message brought down to a child's level.
Read
July 18, 2020I can't read this book without thinking of my family. Besides that, it's a good story, as well. The moose spends his life too worried to really enjoy anything and he is constantly missing out. Over the course of the book, that changes and he gets to truly experience things. It's a very cute tale of letting go of fear/anxiety and trying things out.
January 14, 2022
During their free time Beaver and Bear like to jump in puddles, fly kites, go skiing. But Moose is to afraid to do these things. After doing some research he decides to take a risk and gets in a passing sailboat. He quickly finds himself in a storm which destroys the boat and strands him on an island. He quickly learns survival skills and makes a new friend.
Recommended for storytime.
Recommended for storytime.
November 17, 2023
I love that the Turtle's name was Tuesday, I think that's an allusion to Robinson Crusoe. I would have given this book four stars because the artwork and story are fun, and I love that the moose went on an adventure, but I kind of felt that the author was poking fun at God when he talked about prayer, and I didn't like that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews