Author Allen Northcutt’s fun-filled holiday tale weaves a whimsical “ugly duckling” story of animal friends that love an amiable but tattered moose whose name is “Ugly”.

Published by Old Stone Press, Allen Northcutt’s book “The Legend of Chris Moose” points out that “we all have value to our family and friends.”

This picture book introduces eleven animal characters in rhyme as they join Ugly on a snowy trip through the woods to Momma and Poppa Bears’ house. There, a Christmas eve party is made very special when Ugly gives unselfishly of himself to overcome a forgotten Christmas tree.

The story addresses everyday issues of how “Ugly” names are hurtful and it is not nice to exclude someone from a group because they are different. In the end the animals embrace Ugly as part of their group and change his name to Chris Moose, because it sounds so much like Christmas and is what his spirit is all about.

This Christmas story is so touching and Northcutt drove it home with the thought that no matter who you are, if you search hard enough, you will find something that you can give of yourself. What an incredible mantra to live by. Giving value, being valued, and making something greater of yourself to those around you is something I can’t think could be a better purpose of living. This incredible lesson lands this book at the top of the heap in terms of teaching each one of us that we have value, and giving value to those around us, strikes to the core of our existence. Well-illustrated, and solidly constructed, this book will last through many reads and is guaranteed to be an annual favorite read during the Christmas Holiday Season.

Christie Morris’ captivating and humorous illustrations add magic to this soon-to-be-classic Christmas story.