Elliot Moose’s morning begins with a snag – a protruding nail tears his leg and his stuffing starts spilling out. Luckily he’s surrounded by clever and helpful friends, all soft toys like him.

Author and illustrator Andrea Beck founded a plush toy company after studying design at the Ontario College of Art and Design, and has obviously spent a lot of time creating and getting to know these animals. Beck has clearly been influenced by children’s illustrator Jane Hissey, but Moose and his friends actually have more personality than the British soft toys. The facial expressions are interesting and evocative, and the relationships between the moose and his chums very appealing. The animals are really endearing. It is amazing how much emotion a little stitched-on mouth can have in the hands of an illustrator who really cares about her characters.

This book was the centre of much industry gossip long before it appeared. Now that Nelvana, the Canadian animation company, has purchased Kids Can Press, it’s likely that Elliot’s on his way to becoming a household name. A cross-country media campaign is planned, the property is being developed for TV and video, and the next book, Elliot Bakes a Cake, is planned for spring. Forget the hype: this is a good-quality children’s book with all the right elements – a decent story, excellent illustrations, heaps of humour and integrity. And who ever would have thought a moose, of all creatures, could be so charming?