Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. You know, some books grab your attention because of the cover. Others beg to be picked up because of the title. Today’s featured book wins on both counts! And if you leave a comment on this blog post and spread the word about this book on your social media, you’ll have a chance to win a copy!
FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE
Written by Candace Spirrizzi
Illustrated by Chantelle and Bergen Thorne
Published by Gnome Road Publishing
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Persistence, creativity
Synopsis: From Amazon:
Rules are rules” and wild animals aren’t allowed on trains . . . or so says Conductor Jones.
Young adventurers will fall in love with Finley, a friendly moose with a toothy grin who wants nothing more than to ride the rails across Alaska and beyond. Prepare for giggles when Finley finds a costume shop and tries to pass for anything but wild, only to have Conductor Jones see right through these disguises. Fortunately, Finley has something Conductor Jones doesn’t see coming – heart and determination – showing us all that there are some rules in life that are meant to be changed.
With illustrations that capture both the essence of Finley’s spirit and the magic of an Alaskan railway adventure, Finley: A Moose on the Caboose is certain to be loved by anyone who dreams of making what seems impossible, possible.
Why I Love This Book:
1. I love stories where the main character is persistent…and I love the creativity of this main character – I think this is a great message for kids!
2. I love stories that are filled with kid-friendly humor…author Candace Spirrizzi knocked it out of the park with this one!
3. I love the amazing illustrations…each page is filled with so much awesomeness from Chantelle and Bergen Thorne!!!
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Train Crafts Galore
Young kids love trains! Check out these fun train crafts: https://capriplus3.com/Train-Crafts-and-Activities/
I know this is a book that young kids will love! But only if they find out about it. Please spread the word by doing at least one of these things:
1. Buy the book at your local indie or on Bookshop.org or Amazon
2. Review the book on Goodreads, Amazon, and B&N
3. Tell friends about the book (share on social media)
4. Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection
Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of this beautiful new book! Maybe you can tell us the strangest train ride you ever took.
I hope you all have an awesome weekend. And please stop by tomorrow for Will Write and Illustrate for Cookies with author/illustrator Molly Ruttan!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Congrats! I can’t wait to read your hilarious book! I’m appreciating my Eurail Pass in Scandinavia right now as I take advantage of 14 different legs of train travel. Now I can picture Moose traveling with me!
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Oh LIz – how exciting! I’ve traveled by train in Italy when I was there for the Bologna Book Fair in 2019 – Scandinavia is definitely on my bucket list.
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That sounds amazing, Vivian! Combining travel and kidlit sounds like a dream!
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I love Finley–it’s a fun book to read! And Finley has good taste–I love trains too.
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I can’t wait to read this aloud to preschoolers!
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So glad to have Finley out in the world, Candace. Thanks for spreading the word about this adorable book, Vivian.
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This book came out amazing! I requested it at my library and am eager to read it and see the beautiful illustrations! Congratulations, Candace!
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Wow! The illustrations are so amazing! I want to just dive into this book. Can’t wait to read it.
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This looks so fun! And the title is so great. Love the spread when he pretends to be a bear. Thanks for sharing!
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What an amazing book. The illustrations are so vivid. I look forward to reading it. Congratulations!! My only experience on a train was on a cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak in CO which was amazing.
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Karin, we lived in Colorado Springs for 18 years…we took the cog railway once when my 80 year old dad was visiting. We drove up – which was SCARY! And we hiked up – which was LONG and winding and took forever! But the views are breathtaking, for sure!
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Oh my goodness, I cannot imagine driving it! Nor hiking, for that matter. It is amazingly beautiful and such a fun experience.
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Congratulations, Candace! This book looks adorable and fun! Great theme and perfect illustrations!
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This sounds like a perfect book for some young ones in my life! I will definitely check it out.
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This is such a fun book! Congrats again, Candace!
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Haven’t read it (yet), but I love the story and illustrations. I know someone who loves moose (why isn’t the plural meese or mooses?), trains, and Alaska. Will make a perfect gift!
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Oh, sweet Finley. He has moosed his way into my heart. ❤️ Congrats, Candace, Chantelle, and Bergen!
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Love that this story is receiving so much attention! It looks very entertaining! Love the artwork too!
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I’ve been to Talkeetna, AK! This book sounds so much fun to revisit my favorite state. The best train ride I ever took was in Alaska and going through mountain tunnels.
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Can’t see enough of Finley! Look forward to reading this book. Congratulations, Candace!
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Congrats, Candace. Finley looks wonderful. Would love to win a copy for my niece. 🙂
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This book looks amazing – my granddaughter definitely needs to read it! The front cover is so eye-catching – a true reflection of Chantelle and Bergen’s fun view of life
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Great theme!
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Congratulations Candace, Chantelle and Burgon on Finley! A fabulous story and illustrations!
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