LOOKING FOR A MOOSE

In this energetic frolic replete with onomatopoeic language, four friends put on their hats and boots and go off in search of a moose, because they want to see one. Through woods, swamp and brush, the boys and girls wade, hike, stomp, scrape and look as hard as they can. There just aren’t any moose about . . . or are there? (Careful viewers will notice the stray antler and muzzle that appear throughout the illustrations, unbeknownst to our heroes.) When the children decide to explore a hillside, they scramble up to the top, where they are surprised by a resonant moose cry. Finally, they have come to the right place—there are many moose to be seen! The interactive nature of the story is very effective, and children will thoroughly enjoy pointing out the moose and other smaller animals that periodically appear. Inventive and appealing illustrations depict these four multiracial moose hunters as they intently search, and the buoyant, rhymed text makes for a stellar read-aloud. An excellent addition to any collection. (Picture book. 3-6)