Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
A contrast in characters, Moose loves the outdoors and rugged work while Mouse likes the safety of his house, his computer, and writing. When Moose asks Mouse to go fishing, Mouse declines because he's writing so Moose fishes, prepares lunch, and leaves some on Mouse's doorstep. When Mouse still won't come out, Moose picks up fallen apples messing up Mouse's lawn and leaves them on the doorstep. The joke is on Mouse, though, because when he presents the poem of praise he's written for the industrious Moose, he also allows as how he's a little sick from eating all of that lunch Moose left. Readers see it's the apples he ate, not the fish. One other "chapter" details the two on a camping trip that circles, courtesy of Mouse, his flashlight and his map, back to Mouse's front yard where Moose pitches camp and Mouse disappears into his own bed. It's a good book for talking about contrasts in what people like to do and West's cheerful watercolors with heavy black line lend humor and a light touch. Vocabulary challenges independent readers without taxing their abilities in this "I Am Reading" entry for the series, leveled Grades 1-2. 2004, Kingfisher, Ages 4 to 8.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-Dashes of humor, good characterization, and challenging vocabulary make these three offerings stand out from the crowd. The tales will attract children who have learned the fundamentals of reading and are anxious to practice them independently. In the first, Brown Bear tries to get in shape by copying Bunny and Chimp in what they eat and how they exercise. Next, the Small Bad Wolf gets lessons on being "bad to the bone" from his father, who keepsmessing things up. The last story describes the friendship between a hardworking, not-very-bright moose and an intelligent but crabby mouse. All three books have watercolor illustrations that beautifully depict the characters. The texts are broken up into chapters, making them less daunting. A list of strategies for beginning readers completes each appealing package.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
It's a good book for talking about contrasts in what people like to do and West's cheerful watercolors with heavy black line lend humor and a light touch. Vocabulary challenges independent readers without taxing their abilities in this "I Am Reading" entry for the series, leveled Grades 1-2
School Library Journal
Dashes of humor, good characterization, and challenging vocabulary make these three offerings stand out from the crowd. The tales will attract children who have learned the fundamentals of reading and are anxious to practice them independently...A list of strategies for beginning readers completes each appealing package.
Mouse's Poem. Mouse is very busy writing his new poem on his typewriter. He's far too absorbed to join nature-loving Moose outside. So Moose busies himself fishing, walking and tidying up the fallen apples in Mouse's garden. Moose thinks Mouse would like a nice lunch to help him with his work and he leaves it on Mouse's doorstep. But he leaves the bag with the fallen apples on the doorstep, too...The Camping Trip. Moose is delighted that Mouse has finally agreed to go on a camping trip with him. Mouse is looking worried though, "What if there are wolves?" Moose is having a great time, but Mouse thinks camping is chilly, damp and hard work. It gets dark and Moose can't find the way, so he lets Mouse take control and read the map. Mouse leads them to a place to pitch their tent. If it wasn't so dark you'd almost think it looked like Mouse's back garden...