Finley

Finley is an adorable friendly Moose with a huge toothy grin. His dream is to ride the rails and have some exciting adventures while doing it.

Unfortunately Conductor Jones forbids wild animals to ride on trains because "rules are rules!"

Poor Finley is devastate but doesn't give up. He decides to don a myriad of costumes to try to disguise his true identity but Conductor Jones always catches him and tosses him off the train... after all, "rules are rules"!

Finally Finely makes a breakthrough and Conductor Jones is happy to lift the moratorium on that rule. It points out to the reader that some rules in life are meant to be changed. Good for Finley! His dream has come true!

The illustrations are amazing. They are colourful, expressive and full of humour. This heartfelt story encourages kids not to give up on their dreams and with grit and determination go for them! I love this book (especially the illustrations ) and I highly recommend it.

This story was absolutely adorable, with awesome illustrations. My kid was giggling at the costumes Finley wore to sneak onto the train!
Thank you Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC, I can't wait for it to be released to add to our library!

Thank you, Gnome Road Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

This is such a heartfelt book with amazing illustrations! I love the cover but I love the contents more!

It’s the story of a moose who wants to ride the rails so bad! Finley tries his best to be like someone who would pass as anyone but be the moose! But ultimately Finley gets what Finley wants the most! A story of heart and determination of course!

This is a really cute book with a moose who figures out that being yourself is really the best.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

A cute story of Finley the moose who is determined to ride the train. Day after day he tries on different costumes, trying to get on the train. However, when a tree gets in the way of the train, Finley ends up saving the day.

Very cute story with very cute illustrations!

I will absolutely be purchasing this book for my daughter. The illustrations are wonderful. The story is creative and engaging. I love all the fun costumes Finley puts on which will allow for reader interaction. And the way the author includes noises of the train into the book allows for parents to animate their storytelling.
This is one of my favorites I’ve reviewed yet!

This book is adorable! Finley is so cute and the illustrations are eye-catching! I look forward to more from Spizzirri!

Finley will win readers’ hearts as he struggles to achieve his big dream. This moose never gives up. The beautiful illustrations bring Finley to life as a moose to root for. Great read aloud fo he picture book audience.

An adorable story that champions perseverance, Finley is an endearing moose on a mission. Charming illustrations bring to life Finley's emotional adventure to find his place at Talkeetna station, making it easy to cheer for Finley's success.

Sometimes, old rules should be changed for the betterment of everyone. This is the lesson given in this read aloud of Finley the Moose who only wants to ride the train yet keeps getting told that he can’t because it’s against the rules. But when an unexpected accident stops the train, can Finley save the day and change the conductors mind?

Thank you NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for allowing me to receive and read this cute children’s title in exchange for my review.

This is a cute children’s book. The illustrations are adorable.. Rules are rules and should be followed, but in some cases rules are meant to be changed. Stay true to yourself and stay positive and you can make a change where needed.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

Finley A Moose on the Caboose is such a fun read aloud! The lilting language is filled with alliteration, onomatopoeia, repetition, and delightfully descriptive words which are perfect for little ones! I love how Finley waits for no one and decides his own fate. But that doesn’t mean its easy! Finley should be put in the dictionary next to the word perseverance. I love how the illustrations included speech bubbles and I think the color palette really suits the setting and story. For Moose lovers, train lovers, and anyone who loves a great story!

Finley is a creative moose whose determination and kindness are instrumental in his journey through this tale. I hope C. Spizzirri decides to write more stories of the adventures of Finley!

The illustrations are fabulous and enchanting! I love Finley the moose. He tries hard to be understood. He just wants to ride the train, just like everyone else! So he keeps trying (yes, in rather sneaky, sometimes suspicious, costumes) to climb aboard... but he always gets kicked off the train again. If only he could prove himself somehow...?

Overall, a super cute storybook. Would be happy to read again.

Finley the moose, just wants to be on the caboose! A cute story of a persistent moose, who saves the day and changes an unnecessary rule. Great storyline that’s emphasized by the drawings.

Thank you NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Finley was such a fun read! As a fan of moose, train travel and the north, of course I would pick this one up. My son got a kick out of all Finley's ideas for disguising himself, enjoyed looking at all the lovely illustrations and was engaged from start to finish with the prose. Mom approved. Kid approved. And will definitely be on the look out for a copy to add to our library. Loved loved loved Finley.

A cute little story about a moose who desperately wants to ride the train.
Wonderful illustrations that really bring the characters journey to life and kept us giggling with his silly antics.
A must have addition to a home or K-2 library.

Thanks to Net Galley and Gnome Road Publishing for the advanced copy.

Such a cute book about a moose who wants to ride a train. My moose-loving daughter loved it. The pictures are colorful and the story holds young readers’ attentions

Finley is a very friendly moose who loves watching the trains and seeing all the travelers from exciting destinations. One day he jumps on the train so he can experience it himself, but the conductor tells him that rules are rules. Wild animals aren't allowed. Finley doesn't give up though, trying all kinds of costumes to try to make it past the conductor's rules. When Finley gets to help and show he's not just wild but he's friendly too, maybe the rules can be changed.

As someone who grew up in Alaska, I can't get enough of picture books that involve Moose or Alaska. This book has both, so it earned all kinds of bonus points for me. The book didn't need the bonus points, though, because I would have loved it anyway. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and Finley and all of his costumes are entertaining and colorful. The book also shows that every now and then, if there isn't a good reason for a certain rule, maybe it's okay to change the rule and to stay optimistic and persistent.

This is the kind of book that kids will giggle at when looking at all the amusing illustrations. The book would be a delightful and charming addition to any bookshelf.

Great fun! Especially Finley in a tutu and toe shoes! Determination can be a good thing!
Can't wait to but a copy!
The illustrations by Chantelle Thorne and Burgen are simply delightful, imaginative, and colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Acrobat Reader from Gnome Road Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Finley tries everything to ride the caboose of the train. He always gets kicked out but he is so creative! But one day Finley is given the opportunity to prove himself worthy or riding the caboose. And when he does he's more than welcome to ride every day!
A cute story of perseverance and acceptance. I really loved the illustrations.

I live in Alaska and am no longer surprised to find a moose staring in the front window at me. Heck, I've even been to the Talkeetna Train Station/Depot where Finley's story begins. Haven't seen an moose, friendly or not, trying to sneak onto the caboose but I'll be looking for Finley next time I'm there. One of the images that came to mind as I read was one I've seen of a line of moose lined out on the railroad tracks, the train behind it being forced to stop as the moose clung to the tracks to avoid the deep snow to either side.

With bright, colorful illustrations, children will enjoy not just the whimsy of Finley's various disguise attempts but some peeks of Alaska itself in the backdround. I can envision parents reading the story with their children and all wondering aloud what disguise Finley might try next and why it might or might not work. My only qualm about the book was that I wish a subtle caution to all that in real life, moose are not friendly critters and not to try petting one. Maybe Finley could work it in as "unlike my other moose friends who want people to stay far away, I'm a friendly moose and won't hurt you." Let's just say, people here in Alaska (and, I'm sure, elsewhere) get trampled or even killed by moose, so while I enjoyed the fantasy of a friendly moose being helpful to humans, Not all moose are like Finley. Thus, 4.5 rounded to a 5.

Okay, that's my public service message of the day. Aside from the concern, this illustrated children's story was a hit. Thanks #NetGalley and #GnomeRoadPublishing for introducing me to Finley and bringing back some fun memories of visits to the Talkeetna area. I may name one of my next moose visitors Finley.