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Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

(1948, Fiction - Picture Book, Written by Dr. Seuss, Illustrated by Dr. Seuss)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Morality tale with a darkly funny ending.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Thidwick's friends ostracize and desert him. Animals act rudely.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Hunters shoot at Thidwick. After he sheds his antlers, the "guests" who've made their homes on the moose's head appear (dead and stuffed) in a grisly display. Earlier, some animals pull out Thidwick's hair and drill holes in his antlers.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

Parents need to know that readers will instantly side with poor, put-upon Thidwick (whose misery is depicted in expressive, funny cartoons). They'll love to hate the freeloading "guests" who load down the kind moose's antlers. Witty, bouncy rhyming text with near-perfect meter models excellent language skills. Some information about antlers.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about hospitality, generosity, self-sacrifice, and exploitation. What would you do if you felt someone was taking advantage of your good nature? Are there ways of standing up for yourself without being hurtful or unkind to to others?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 0.0

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

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