Rus and Moose

A moose embarks upon an unexpected long-haul road trip in this buoyant portrayal of a trucker’s day-to-day life. As Rus, portrayed with dark hair and pink skin, maneuvers an 18-wheeler through Maine’s woods, Moose leaps into the road, getting “tangled up in the truck’s engine.” The surprisingly unhurt beast recovers in the cab’s bunk, and upon awakening agrees to accompany Rus down I-95 to Georgia. Colorful scenery—depicted with carefully inked geometric detailing—wows the animalian traveler, who readily assists along the way. Logistically oriented text describes the simple process of unloading cargo (“They use a forklift to fill the container with pallets and boxes”), and before long the duo heads south to Florida. Loosely sketched florals burst along the bottoms of pages and seep into scenes, communicating the expedition’s breezy exuberance. When Rus makes a daily call home to his wife, their playful rapport generates a bout of homesickness in Moose, which the always-on-the-go Rus gently rectifies. The camaraderie between Rus and Moose makes for a winsome picture book debut. An author’s note concludes. Ages 5–8. (Oct.)