Moose and Mouse: (I Am Reading)

Moose and Mouse are best friends, but they couldn't be more different. Mouse likes to write poems, while Moose loves the outdoors. Find out what happens when this odd pair take a camping trip together.

Review :
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 1-2School 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. 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.