Early Book Review: Wade’s Wiggly Antlers by Louise Bradford, Christine Battuz


Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a picture book written by Louise Bradford and illustrated by Christine Battuz. It is currently scheduled for release on May 2 2017. 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?

Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a charming picture book that offers reassurance to children facing the loss of teeth or other changes, while also teaching a bit about nature. Wade is a not quite sure he wants his antlers off, and then once they are gone he is less sure how to do all the things he normally does. Like most kids, Wade is resilient and by the time the antlers start growing back he is so used to not having them that it was no longer an issue. I like that the process of losing and regrowing the antlers is shown, and it so clearly parallels what children go through with teeth without being completely obvious to younger readers. I think this would be a great conversation starter with young kids facing a change or nearing the loss of baby teeth. However, I found the book to be a cute, fun read even without needing the comfort and lesson within. 

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