I’m so excited that it’s Perfect Picture Book Friday because this week I found a brand new book that is so good I can’t wait to share it with you!
(As we have not yet settled on an official PPBF snack, grab your cheesecake, popcorn, milk and cookies, or fruit inspired treat and get ready:))
I don’t know about you, but for me, there are some books I love because I loved them as a child, and some I love because I loved them with my children. There are some I like that end up growing into love. But of the many, many picture books I read, there aren’t a lot that grab me from the first read and make me want to tell everyone I know about them. Today’s book is one of those books. I was genuinely delighted when I read it, and afterwards all I could think was man! I wish I’d thought of that and written that book!!! 🙂
Are you ready? Here it is 🙂
Z Is For Moose
Written By: Kelly Bingham
Illustrated By: Paul O. Zelinsky
Greenwillow Books, 2012, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 3-7
Themes/Topics: alphabet, friendship, humor, patience, problem solving
Opening: “A is for Apple. B is for Ball. C is for Cat. D is for Moose. “Moose? No. Moose does not start with D. You are on the wrong page.”
Brief Synopsis: (from the book summary) “Moose, terribly eager to play his part in the alphabet book his friend Zebra is putting together, behaves rather badly until Zebra finds a spot for him.”
Links To Resources: This book was released on February 28 (I told you it was brand new!) and try as I might, I couldn’t find any activities online! No coloring pages or anything – nothing on Kelly’s or Paul’s sites. So here are a few other things to try: Alphabet Activities, More Alphabet Activities, How To Draw A Moose, How To Draw A Zebra, have kids “direct” their own alphabet book – what would they choose to illustrate each letter? Now have them do the illustrations!
Why I Like This Book: Well, it’s just perfect! It’s so simple, yet so fun! It starts out as you’d expect an alphabet book to – A is for Apple. But by the D page things have already turned topsy-turvy. D is not for moose! But Moose is so eager to get involved he can’t wait (and what child can’t relate to that?!) On the E, F and subsequent pages he wonders, now? now? He bumps into Elephant, He sneaks in around the edges. He runs along the label of the jam jar. K. L. And at last, M!!! But Moose is in for a rude surprise… followed by angry Moose…. followed by sad Moose… until in the end, Zebra finds a way to make it right, leaving Moose so delighted that on the end papers he begs, “Can we do it again?” The story plays on the alphabet’s predictability/familiarity by going in an unexpected direction. The art is absolutely fabulous, chock full of humorous detail, making the most of every opportunity for fun. Do you want to know how much I love this book? I am buying a copy for my granddaughter!
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
As you all know, as a small thank you to all of you who work so hard on Perfect Picture Books, I randomly pick a winner from the PPB bloggers each month to receive a prize – you get one entry for every book you add in the month. November’s winner was Stacy, December’s winner was Clar, and January’s was Miranda. This month 32 bloggers added 112 books (not counting me)! Thanks to the wonder that is random.org I am happy to announce this month’s winner is Jackie C of The Castle Library! Jackie, please email me (handy button in sidebar) and let me know which prize you’d like. I always have a random mixed bag of goodies lying around which changes from month to month… this month’s choice is hmmm…. you probably don’t want raccoon nest material… or those old socks… Here! How about one of the following: a copy of Ann Whitford Paul’s book Writing Picture Books, or a copy of Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter’s book Spilling Ink, or a copy of The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, or a signed copy of April Fool, Phyllis! from yours truly. Your pick!
Perfect Picture Book bloggers, please remember to add your post-specific link to the list below, and I hope you’ll all join me on Monday for the February Pitch Pick – it promises to be a good one! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Congrads to Jackie C!
Susanna, brand newbie book. Cool! This is a refreshing take on the alphabet book. I love it! Love your activities! You rock. Adding it to my list. *waving*
Just looking at the cover makes me smile! I feel bad for Moose, but something tells me everything will work out just fine! Your granddaughter is so lucky!
This sounds like a great book! And what a better stamp of approval than a gift for the grandchild? Awesome! I will add it to the ever growing list.
Congratulations to Jackie C! Wow, 32 participants? That's wonderful!
Have a great weekend!
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
YAY for Jackie C! Great book Ms. Hill! It sounds REALLY funny! Ithink this is a book our family should have (I think Josie will like it too) 🙂 I'm glad Zebra makes things right!
Erik 😉
I think you would get a kick out of it, Erik! The illustrations take a great story idea and kick it up about 10 notches – i's really very well done! (And I'm glad he makes things right too – that's what friends should do :))
YOu seriously will love this one, Robyn! It's everything a picture book should be, and as writers it has A LOT to teach us. The whole thing can't be more than 200-250 words (not sure, I didn't count) and it's just the perfect package – entertaining, good message, short and sweet!
Thank goodness I have a granddaughter so I can pretend I'm buying this for a child 🙂
It's just a really fun book – I love when I find gems like this! And yes – 32 participants this month – some people come and go, which is just fine 🙂
Congrats Jackie! And I forgot to mention on Erik's post how awesome Phyllis was in the scholastic book 🙂
Love your pick today Susanna, it sounds like a great lesson for everyone and a lot of fun.
p.s. With the school run coming up and then dog walk and play group, I won't know for ages if my link worked, but I'll check again as soon as I'm back. Have a great day!
I'll check it for you right now and make sure it's up!
Catherine Johnson (unregistered) wrote, in response to Catherine Johnson (unregistered):
p.s. With the school run coming up and then dog walk and play group, I won't know for ages if my link worked, but I'll check again as soon as I'm back. Have a great day!
Link to comment
It is a very fun book! And thanks!
This book sounds funny! You're the second person I've seen talk about it this week, so it's definitely going on my to-read list.
I have to agree that it is rare that a picture book just grabs me first read and I have to holler to everyone about it! I trust your hollering and think I would have been like Moose, wanting to get onto every page!
And here I thought I was beating everyone else out of the gate with a book that's only 3 days old! 🙂 Can't wait to see what you chose this week!
It's so clever and fun. On the S page, when he's mad, he draws antlers on the snake 🙂 The whole book is full of fun details like that!
I must by this book for all my nieces and nephews!! It features a zebra!! But also because it sounds really cute and enjoyable. I love your picture book recommendations, Susanna!
Whoops, that would be BUY. Heehee 😉
This one sounds fantastic and funny! Paul O. Zelinsky is a gifted artist, I love his work. I was lucky enough to meet him and hear him talk about his work when he visited Bozeman, MT a few years back. If you're crafty, there's fabric to go with the book (a quilt for your granddaughter?) http://www.spoonflower.com/spelunks?type&q=zmoose&x=0&y=0
Thanks, Laura! And your nephews and nieces are really going to love this one! 🙂
This just appeared in my inbox from Amazon yesterday and I thought it looked delightful! Poor Moose – I'm glad he found his place. (He draws antlers on the snake? I'm SOLD!) Thanks for giving me a peek inside…this one is right up my alley (and also on the “why didn't I think of that” list).
Oh, lucky you to meet Paul Zelinksy! And you're an artist, so it must have been really awesome! I am NOT crafty AT ALL, but that is so great I might have to learn quilting (in all my spare time :))
You have toddler boys – this will be right up their alley for sure! (He draws antlers on R also, but I can't remember what is on the R page!) You know how they say there are no new ideas, just new twists? Well, she sure thought up a good new twist! 🙂 The dedication is to (I think) her sons, one of whom asked for a funny book… 🙂
Thank you so much for reviewing this book, Susanna! I have seen the title online, and have wondered about it. Now I know I can recommend it to a friend who is looking for (among other things) alphabet books. (And yes, I pointed her to the PPB list!)
Congratulations to the Queen of the Castle for her win!
Congrats to Jackie C.
This book looks like it's right up my alley. I saw mention of it somewhere else this week, but I can't remember where. The cover looked cute and your review has confirmed that cute goes beyond the cover. It's on my list!
I came across it quite by accident when I was in the book store the other day, and I'm so glad I read it – such a fun book! I hope your friend picks it up, because it's really a good one. And thanks for pointing her to PPB 🙂
You will get a kick out of it! 🙂
I returned to the top to see if the book was written and illustrated by the same person. After I confirmed it was not, I'm having to resist the urge to go buy it now to check it out vs. reading other ppbf entries. Congrats to Jackie C.
What a funny concept, can't wait to read it to the kids. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a fun one. Wonder how many years it will take for my small library to get it.
Oh, I just KNEW today's list would include a BUNCH of Dr. Seuss books. I was right!!!
Funny. It reminds me of “Kipper's A to Z” where they have to keep telling the eager zebra, “No, not yet!”
I haven't read that one – I'll have to check it out. Maybe this isn't as original as I thought!
Hardly surprising!
Sometimes if you ask, they'll get it. But they might get this one anyway – it's been VERY well reviewed and starred. Meanwhile, there's always inter-library loan…
I think they will love it! 🙂
I'm a big fan of the library, but I don't think you'll be sorry if you buy this one! Enzo will love it, and it has a lot to teach us as writers too!
Congratulations, Jackie, for winning the PPBF blogging fun!
Z is for Moose sounds delightful. Wish I had a grandchild young enough for this. Mine is almost all grown out of picture books (but we still read them out loud to him), that's what grandparents can do.
WOW…hot off the presses. 🙂 This looks like a great alphabet book…kids will love the humor of Moose not being able to wait for his turn. 🙂 I think they will definitely relate to that!
Congrats to Jackie…I don't know how she will pick from the great selection you are offering her…that is so sweet of you, Susanna…but I know all of us are doing PPBF because we LOVE it and feel it is such a valuable resource you are putting together. 🙂
Happy B-day, Dr. Seuss!!!!
Ah, but this is a book that can teach you something as a writer, so you still have a good excuse to get it 🙂
Looks like a fun book!
Boy you are bouncing off the pages with excitement. It sounds absolutely delightful. What a great lesson that all kids can relate to. Very creative. Love to find a brand new book, but also find that it's hard to find a resource. But, your activity suggestions are great!
It is! 🙂
If you haven't seen it yet, Vivian, I think you'll really like it! And thanks for your kind words about PPBF – I so appreciate everyone who is involved, and we're gathering such a great resource!
Thats a lovely book Susanna and like Pat below me said you are certainly bouncing off the walls with this one. “Everyone quick go out and grab it”…. there, I holled it out for ya….. lol. It looks like a fun read as well.
Gee… no matter what I do even staying up late and posting my PPBF link (so I'm early), I get up in the morning to find it still never makes it here…. what on earth am I doing WRONG??? 😦 I am sure everyone will think I am not posting one today…. *sigh*. oh well here it is if your interested.. Stefania's dancing slippers … on my blog http://thepatientdreamer.com/2012/03/03/perfect-picture-book-friday-9/#comments …. scratches head and wanders off back to bed…. no snickering… its Saturday morning here I'm allowed to go back and catch up on some more sleep…lol
Heather has even better alphabet-related activities on her post for Dr. Seuss's ABC! And this is a delightful book! 🙂
Oh, this one looks cute. Love the title, too, so clever. Picture book writers sure are a smart bunch 🙂 Thanks, Susanna!
And congrats to Jackie on her big win!
p.s. my link didn't seem to take the first time I posted it, so I just posted it again and now can see it at number 23. Hope I didn't duplicate anything!
Yay thankyou Susanna.
I have a couple of awards for you on my blog. 🙂
Susanna, 32 bloggers and 112 books! That's awesome! Loving this book already and I've got a Barnes & Noble gift card burning a hole in my pocket- now I now what to do with it! There's another book I've got my eye one, but am waiting to feature it next week!
Here's the link to this week's story on MyVerona.
http://www.myveronanj.com/2012/03/02/great-picture-books-z-is-for-moose/