Moose and Magpie

September 1, 2009
PreS-Gr 1-This slight story about Moose and his joke-telling pal, Magpie, doesn't have enough substance to sustain a child's interest. The simple story line, using a bizarre combination of fact and fantasy, follows the young creature from early summer through fall and into winter. During those months, the moose grows, sheds antlers, and learns to understand and tell jokes. Magpie, a raccoon, a skunk, and a beaver accompany him as he aimlessly wanders the countryside and swims the river. The lame jokes are superfluous and nonsensical. Only Moose and Magpie speak, but the beaver wears glasses and reads books, the raccoon eats chocolate mousse, the skunk uses hair mousse, and all the animals except Moose walk upright. Each page has a small fact box, and the book concludes with four pages of information on birds and moose. The text is illustrated by brightly colored pictures, with everything outlined in black. While the illustrations may appeal to children, they are not enough to save this book."Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI"

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