Elmore the Christmas Moose

Elmore

by Dev Petty, Mike Boldt (Contributor)

When Santa needs a reindeer replacement for Christmas Eve, Elmore the moose applies for the job, despite not being able to fly.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Dev writes books for kids which are also often enjoyed by immature adults.

She was a senior visual effects artist in film and is now- thanks to her husband, daughters and pets, fully recovered from her chronic workaholism.

She is also good at word jumbles. Really good.

Dev was born in Berkeley, California and now lives pretty much in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely must read every Christmas! I bought it to read to my grandchildren bought my husband and I loved it. No grandkids around to influence us. Just a delightful story how there is a place for everyone!

[Peggy Hess Greenawalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas stories, and I love moose. This is a Barnes and Noble exclusive edition. I added it to our church library. Not only are the illustrations adorable, the story shares a good message. The plush moose/reindeer is also cute and makes a fun gift for kids ages 3 to 8.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable and heartwarming. It has a great message about finding ways to utilize your talents rather than trying to turn into someone you're not.

[Will DeVore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought me to tears

[Kimberly Luthin · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/24/2023
12/13/2023

[AlaniA · Rating 5 out of 5]

It counts.

[Bonnie Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmore really wants to fly on Santa’s team. When he repeatedly applies for the job, he wonders if he really is the best candidate for the job. Great for a read aloud.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute epistolary Christmas story about a moose applying for the position of interim reindeer at the North Pole.

[Margaret]

My students are going to love this book. There IS a place for everyone.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an imaginative story. We loved the letters between Elmore and Santa.

[Karen Kurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for your children or grandchildren.

[lou ‎ ‧₊˚ ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this for work. was cute and made me hungry.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa needs to fill a spot on his reindeer team. Elmore is a real go getter, find out if he is up to the job. Will it matter Elmore is a moose? This will surely be one of your holiday favorites.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers will want to check out the endpapers of this holiday-themed picture book--a twist on the story of Rudolph and those other reindeer--to be amused by the classified ads posted on the pages. In their own way, they're just as funny as the main story featuring an irrepressible moose. Now, many folks consider moose to be ugly animals, all gangly limbs and awkward moves and unattractive features. I disagree as I find them rather adorable. Plus, Elmore, the moose featured here, is irresistible in his earnest determination to land a job with Santa. Although he is unable to fly and clearly not suited for the job, Elmore answers a classified ad for a temporary reindeer position flying Santa's sleigh. Since Santa narrates the story, readers are treated to his perspective on things as he's willing to give the moose consideration but also wary of his ability to perform as needed. Santa gives him multiple chances, and Elmore's keen desire to be a part of his team is evident in the letters he sends to the North Pole as well as in the illustrations showing him trying and failing over and over again. But in the true Christmas spirit, Santa finds just the right position for the eager moose. The double-page spread featuring Elmore wearing a chef's hat and surrounded by goodies is quite charming and leaves a warm feeling in readers' hearts.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elmore the moose applies for the position of temporary reindeer on Santa's sleigh team.

Despite being a moose, which is a type of deer although not a reindeer, and not being able to magically fly, Elmore dreams of helping to pull Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. When a temporary spot on the sleigh team opens up, he immediately applies. His enthusiasm catches Santa's eye, but despite multiple chances, Elmore doesn't make the cut.

In the process, Santa does, however, uncover Elmore's talent for cookie making and gives him a position as a holiday baker at the North Pole, so all's well that ends well.

Because of the toxic positivity in American culture, children are told from a very young age: if you can dream it, you can be it. They are indoctrinated with the idea that they can be anything and that they can do everything, which is blatantly untrue and actually does children a disservice. Even if one is self-aware and has the aptitude, the ability, the discipline, the commitment, and the resources, one may still fail. This story does an excellent job of showing the reality of not being able to achieve one's -- in this case, completely unrealistic -- dream. It does balance this by showing that even if one cannot do what one wants, there will be an alternative opportunity.

Santa's Moose this is not. However, it does reflect the job application process (circa the late 2010s and 2020s) complete with cover letters, letters of interest, and thank you letters following each interview. Adult readers with modern sensibilities who have experienced the hiring process will find this humorous.

The illustrations were done digitally.

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just my kind of story. I love this one. I love Moose and putting one on the Sleigh is brilliant.

Elmore the Moose has a dream, he dreams of being one of Santa's Reindeer. Prancer can make Christmas this year, so Santa needs a new reindeer. So be it. Elmore writes and he goes back and forth to the North Pole. At first people were surprised he was a Moose and then sadly, they found out he couldn't fly.

You know something, Elmore could bake. That's right, Elmore the baking moose. There you go.

The artwork does look digital. The artwork has that Christmas magic about it. I find this to be a new classic. The night is such a rich purple.


Spoiler ahead:










OMG! My favorite part of this is Abner the flying Walrus. That is amazing. Yes, we need a flying Walrus. How brilliant. That trilled me to no end. I would have loved to see a moose, but the walrus did the trick.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dev Petty and Mike Boldt come together to tell and show this holiday story of a moose named Elmore who decides to pursue a job as one of Santa's reindeer. Of course, Elmore is unable to fly and the hope for a Christmas miracle falls a bit short. Santa however does find just the right job for Elmore. The book cleverly advances the story through personal letters written by Elmore to Santa (and one from Santa to Elmore as well). It's a great way to show some friendly letter models to young writers. There is even an example of an addressed envelope. The end pages are designed as want ads from a newspaper and the final back inside cover suggests a possible sequel story as will. Boldt's illustrations are bold and capture the humor of the story.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think that K-3rd grade readers may have to ask adults for some explanation for this one. It jumps around from the story of the little girl, then the story of the mom, then it talks about how prisoners were used as firefighters...so it's a little deep. But beautiful and necessary nonetheless. The story itself is cute and funny (adults will love it), but there are many words scattered throughout that K-3rd readers may have difficulty with. (Examples: croquembouche, proposition, candidates, ventriloquist, disposition, punctuality, overzealous, etc.) The illustrations are absolutely adorable! They really bring lots of comedy to this story. I think that all K-3rd readers will enjoy this book, unless they don't celebrate the Christmas holiday. (Diamond 25-26)

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Dev Petty for sharing a copy with me. Absolutely adored this sweet story about Elmore, the moose who wants to help Santa’s sleigh fly.

When Prancer needs to leave the North Pole to go to a ventriloquist convention, Santa places a help wanted ad.
Realizing that helping Santa’s sleigh fly is his lifelong dream, Elmore applies for the job. But there’s one slight problem…he can’t fly.

Told party in letter writing, this holiday picture book is full of hope and the important message that there’s always a place for everyone.

Also enjoyed the fun endpapers (with a possible hint of another book featuring a Yeti?)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Elmore sees a help wanted ad for the lead reindeer on Santa's sleigh, Elmore eagerly applies for the job. Santa gives him his big chance but there's a problem. Elmore is a moose, a non-magical moose who can't fly. Oh dear! Fortunately, Santa is pretty good at finding the right place for his helpers. A humorous picture book with a wonderful conclusion that will be fun to share!

"Once in a great while, we find ourselves
in the middle of an important moment.
A Christmas kind of moment.
When we have to think about what's
really important.
What matters.
Who matters."

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmore is a moose with a dream: to be a part of Santa's team. He applies for the position of lead reindeer, but it turns out a moose isn't exactly suited to that job. But Christmas magic prevails, and Santa is willing to give Elmore a chance.

I enjoy it when authors subvert our expectations. This book feels like it will end one way, but the way the author managed the ending was better than I could have expected. I loved that much of this story was told via letters to Santa, and I'm delighted that there was enough holiday magic for everyone in the end.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joy filled read that shows Elmore's perseverance and commitment to being part of the Santa's team. He applies to be part of the reindeer team but there are a few problems when he arrives. Santa does ask him to return several times based on Elmore's letters. Petty uses letters as a key communication piece and weaves humor through the story. I appreciate the way Santa finds a place to include Elmore on his team. Readers will be amused at who actually gets the reindeer position.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute Christmas story but not terribly original. It is the standard story of Santa needing a replacement reindeer for Christmas Eve, and this time, it's a moose that answers the call with his determination to be the perfect fit for the job. Illustrations, plot, and writing are average. There are longer passages of text in places throughout the book.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elmore is absolutely adorable! Dev Petty and illustrator Mike Boldt definitely hit this one out of the North Pole. Underneath the fun story, there's a lesson in perseverance on Elmore's part and a lesson in giving someone a chance to shine with Santa's kindness. For extra laughs, make sure you read the Classifieds in the front and back endpapers.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about a moose who wants to work for Santa. Elmore the moose wrights’ letters to Santa, and try’s out to be one of his reindeers. The letters between Elmore and Santa are cute, It has a great message about finding ways to utilize your talents rather than trying to turn into someone you're not. It also has great illustrations.

[Caroline Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad we get to read christmas book now! This one was so cute as Elmore tries out for a position as one of santa's reindeer and he comes to the north pole to visit santa and the other reindeer. Although he couldn't do the things the other reindeer could do santa really wanted to make it happen and make Elmore be apart of the big flight. It was so cute and colorful!!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. The story and the pictures are such fun. There is so much going on on each page that you could enjoy it bunches of times and find different things that you didn't notice before on each page. I love Elmore and yes I would like to hear the story about hiring new elves.

[Jill Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picturebook. Cute Christmas story. Elmore the Moose sees an ad that Santa needs a new reindeer. He applies and gets the job but unfortunately, he can’t fly. He is rather disappointed but Santa wants to give him another chance. What is he going to do? Nice illustrations.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the voice and the humor in this one. Lots of fun! Teachers who read Christmas books in their classes could talk about letter writing, persistence, accepting yourself and your limitations, finding what you’re good at, and different points of view.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the cutest Christmas story ever! Loved this book and the illustrations are fantastic too.

Brillant writing by the author of the inside covers front and back: classified ads for the North Pole. Funny and clever. Well done!