One winter morning while playing with his animal friends, a young moose
named Wade notices his antlers are wiggly, and he runs home to tell his
mother. "Remember when we talked about your antlers falling off?" she
says. "Don't worry. New ones will grow in the summer." But Wade is
worried. He used his antlers for so many fun things, such as paddles for
Ping-Pong, perches for giving friends rides and hooks for flying kites.
He didn't want to lose them! Could Wade find a way to stop his antlers
from falling off? Or, if he just lets them go, would he find new ways to
play?In this charming picture book, author Louise Bradford has crafted a
playful allegory for children about losing a first tooth. With Christine
Battuz's amusing, exuberant art bringing Wade's story to life with
sympathy as well as humor, this book makes an engaging and relatable
read-aloud for story time. It provides terrific opportunities for
discussions about how our bodies change as we grow up, what it feels
like to go through these changes and the different ways we can celebrate
the milestones. It would also work for an early life science lesson on
how animals such as moose and deer lose and grow antlers and why. In
addition, Wade's experience models a positive, inspiring approach to
self-discovery, self-acceptance and dealing with developmental changes.
