Two Birds . . . and a Moose

July 1, 2024

Gr 1-3-Two birds watch and cheer on a moose who is determined to climb their tree and sit with them. Moose attempts his climb unconventionally with a pogo stick, balloon, and finally a tightwire, until he has success. But then the always funny, "What do I do now?" realization hits. Confusion might arise when children point out Moose had access to a ladder the whole time, but it's no more confusing than why a moose would want to climb a tree in the first place. Spare language complements the cartoon illustrations that are captivating in their simplicity, and visual clues will illicit giggles from young readers as they follow along with moose's bumbling actions. For instance, Moose's movement is especially well-relayed with a comic fall from a wobbly, unsuccessful tightwire walk attempt and a sequence of a slow balloon ascent followed by a quick descent with a popped balloon. VERDICT An entertaining choice, with appropriate language for the developing reader.-Melisa Bailey

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2024
When Moose attempts to join a red bird and a blue bird high on a tree branch, new readers will spot the pattern: Moose tries jumping up into the tree with a pogo stick and crashes; Moose tries floating up on a balloon that pops. The economical text uses between two and twelve words per double-page spread. A handful of longer words (pardon, excuse) and phonetic challenges ("yowza!") appear amid one-syllable words, so this is for readers who are tiptoeing into more advanced decoding. Illustrations use minimal lines and background details, bold images, and strong, solid colors, keeping a tight focus on plot and characters. The movement among spreads, panels, and spot art controls the pace, while the images bring most of the humor. The determination on Moose's face on attempt number one, the realization of an error on attempt number two, and a confident calm by the third try are palpable. The birds (one sporting a fedora), well-meaning witnesses who provide no substantive support, are characters anyone with such ambitions, regardless of age, will recognize. They'll also recognize the inevitable flip side of achieving one's goals: "How do I get down from here?" Adrienne L. Pettinelli

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
When Moose attempts to join a red bird and a blue bird high on a tree branch, new readers will spot the pattern: Moose tries jumping up into the tree with a pogo stick and crashes; Moose tries floating up on a balloon that pops. The economical text uses between two and twelve words per double-page spread. A handful of longer words (pardon, excuse4) and phonetic challenges ("yowza!") appear amid one-syllable words, so this is for readers who are tiptoeing into more advanced decoding. Illustrations use minimal lines and background details, bold images, and strong, solid colors, keeping a tight focus on plot and characters. The movement among spreads, panels, and spot art controls the pace, while the images bring most of the humor. The determination on Moose's face on attempt number one, the realization of an error on attempt number two, and a confident calm by the third try are palpable. The birds (one sporting a fedora), well-meaning witnesses who provide no substantive support, are characters anyone with such ambitions, regardless of age, will recognize. They'll also recognize the inevitable flip side of achieving one's goals: "How do I get down from here?

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)