Spruce Moose Cuts Loose

In a northern wilderness dotted with log cabins (just near Moosemelookalike Lake), a small moose grapples with a big problem. Spruce's antlers continue to grow long after midwinter, when they were supposed to have fallen off. The meddlesome appendages disturb Spruce's sleep, get caught in the trees, and ``on Monday, he got stuck in the bathroom door and spent an hour getting loose.'' His buddies try to comfort him, but to no avail. At his pal Bascom's birthday party, the antlers finally snap off--leaving Spruce with a splendid trophy to present to his friend. Cheerful illustrations with a cartoony rusticity--and many ``woodsy'' touches--add a certain winsomeness to this slight but frolicsome tale. Stapler's personification of snugly sweater-clad creatures is as bracing as a steaming cup of cider. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)