This Is a Moose

MOOSE? Yes, Moose!

When a movie director tries to capture the life of a moose on film, he's in for a big surprise. It turns out the moose has a dream bigger then just being a moose - he wants to be an astronaut and go to the moon.

His forest friends step in to help him, and action ensues. Lots of action. Like a lacrosse-playing grandma, a gigantic slingshot into space, and a flying, superhero chipmunk.

In this hilarious romp, Richard T. Morris and bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld remind us to dream big and, when we do, to aim for the moon.

Winner of Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award (Children's Picture) 2014
Commended for E.B. White Read Aloud Award (Picture Book) 2015
Commended for Cybils (Fiction Picture Book) 2014
Short-listed for Monarch Award 2016
Short-listed for Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award 2016
Short-listed for Beehive Awards (Picture Book) 2016

“"With text in bold type and hand-lettered speech bubbles, this title will find itself in the hands of beginning readers as well as those who are a little more advanced. Created in ink, colored pencil, and gouache, the full-color, often full-page illustrations are hilarious, and Lictenheld's attention to detail will have kids scouring every page. The message to break down stereotypes and push past social constraints is clear but isn't delivered in a sappy, predictable manner. A perfect vehicle to introduce such topics in a safe and engaging way, this fun picture book be appreciated by students, teachers, librarians, and parents alike."-- School Library Journal”

"Clever dialogue and illustrations entertain and could also be used for discussion or writing about what students think they are expected to be and what they desire."--Library Media Connection "Morris (Bye-Bye, Baby!) and Lichtenheld (Steam Train, Dream Train) preside over loud and cheerful mayhem...Deadpan delivery, sharp timing, and Lichtenheld's antic artwork all contribute to high-octane entertainment that also addresses defying expectations, not to mention gravity."--Publishers Weekly "With text in bold type and hand-lettered speech bubbles, this title will find itself in the hands of beginning readers as well as those who are a little more advanced. Created in ink, colored pencil, and gouache, the full-color, often full-page illustrations are hilarious, and Lictenheld's attention to detail will have kids scouring every page. The message to break down stereotypes and push past social constraints is clear but isn't delivered in a sappy, predictable manner. A perfect vehicle to introduce such topics in a safe and engaging way, this fun picture book be appreciated by students, teachers, librarians, and parents alike."--School Library Journal "The increasingly exasperated duck, deadpan animal characters, absurd situations, and disembodied narration recall an animated short with voiceover, and the dialogue-heavy text and plentiful humor make this excellent material for a rowdy readers' theater production."--The Bulletin (starred review) "Lichtenheld fills each page with serene nature scenes in soft, fuzzy earth tones. But with each interruption, things get downright goofy with chuckle-worthy background details, silly asides in speech bubbles, and hugely expressive fonts that crowd the pages and add a colorful touch of mania to the director's growing frustration. A rambunctious and hilarious story of embracing the unexpected."--Booklist (starred review) * "Morris' story is filled with child-friendly humor that is cleverly matched by Lichtenheld's comic ink, pencil and gouache paintings. The pair captures personality (lots of it), action and adventure, along with some old-fashioned filmmaking tropes... Certain to elicit gales of giggles. A humorous-make that hysterical-homage to movies and big dreams."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Morris gives This is a Moose an unexpected and lively structure. Lichtenheld is a master of texture: His fir trees look spiky; the duck's beret has the soft thickness of felt; and the blue sky, with delicate variations in color, has the opacity of northern morning as the fog begins to lift."--The New York Times

In researching this book, Richard T. Morris lived for two years among a herd of wild moose in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where he survived on roots and- cut! Sorry. He made this whole story up. Richard is actually the author of Bye-Bye, Baby! (Walker/Bloomsbury, 2009). He is also a regular contributor to Ellen Potter and Anne Mazer's Spilling Ink creative writing blog. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

As a child, Tom Lichtenheld wanted to be a clown when he grew up. But when he found out that being a clown required riding around in a tiny car with a bunch of other clowns, he decided to become a children's book illustrator instead. Tom is the author and illustrator of What Are You So Grumpy About and the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling book Shark vs. Train, which was a Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year. His other bestsellers include Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, Exclamation Mark, and Duck! Rabbit! He lives in Illinois with his wife. He invites you to visit his website at

MOOSE? Yes, Moose! When a movie director tries to capture the life of a moose on film, he's in for a big surprise. It turns out the moose has a dream bigger then just being a moose - he wants to be an astronaut and go to the moon. His forest friends step in to help him, and action ensues. Lots of action. Like a lacrosse-playing grandma, a gigantic slingshot into space, and a flying, superhero chipmunk.In this hilarious romp, Richard T. Morris and bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld remind us to dream big and, when we do, to aim for the moon.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.