Title: Michael Moose Helps Santa
Author: Dawn Harvey Kittle
Illustrator: Kim Sawyer
Publisher: URLink Print & Media
ISBN: 978-1684866212
Pages: 24
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Christmas
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Reviews
In this lovely Christmas story, author Dawn Harvey Kittle brings readers to a cozy woodsy cabin room, where bunnies and their furry friends are listening to Grandmother bunny reciting a story about Santa, being in need of his Reindeers to fly and deliver Christmas presents in his sled; but the ‘deers’ all became sick with a flu. What was Santa going to do? Cancel Christmas? “Not an option!” Santa said.
The elves and Santa’s helpers were all busy, preparing the sled with presents, while setting up beds for all of the sick Reindeers to get their rest under the covers, and recover from their illness. They attempted to see if the young ‘yearlings’ of deer could fly, but they were all still too small and not up to the challenge to take Santa around the world on Christmas evening. It seemed hopeless. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, in walks a tall, strong, and powerful Moose, and introduces himself as Michael Moose. “Can you fly,” asks Santa. And with innate power, Michael waves his antlers and rises up in the air. “Wow! You are hired,” said Santa.
So, the elves modify the reins for the moose, and up, up and away Santa and Michael go. They follow the winds of the world and deliver presents all around, stopping for a moment in Bethlehem to see the nativity of baby Jesus. Upon arriving back at the North Pole, the elves notice Santa made record time with Michael Moose being the only one pulling the sled. Then they notice Michael humbly walking away, when all of a sudden Michael glows with a yellow light, revealing he is an angel from God.
The moral, among many, is that God will provide an angel when people are in need, and to rest assured all will be fine as long as one has faith in God. The illustrations have a pen-and-ink colorized imagery which is both the right amount of detail to add visualization to the story, and done in a way to capture the imagination of all readers. The author has a narrative voice which projects maternal nurturing, while adding humor and helping to expand readers’ vocabulary. Another really nice part of the book was the charming illustrations by Kim Sawyer. I found them to be a perfect complement to the text.
All in all, Michael Moose Helps Santa is a polished Christmas story, deserving a space in all family libraries with youngsters getting excited about Christmas coming – this year and every year.