Feathered Quill Book Reviews - Deb Fowler
"If you have ever been fortunate enough to see a mother moose and her calf there is no doubt, you have stood there mesmerized. The moose's habitat is in the more northerly, colder climates such as Alaska, the northern states and Canada. The mother, a cow, mates in the chill of the fall and gives birth to her calf in the spring during early May. Although the calf may seem large to us at twenty-five to thirty-five pounds it is small in comparison to its mother who can weigh up to a massive thirteen hundred pounds. Her "baby" is an eye opener to most people as it weighs "about as much as a 3-year-old child."
The mother keeps close watch over her calf whose "short hair covers his thin body." The wobbly calf grows stronger each day it nurses, but its mother will keep him hidden from prying eyes for at least a week. The baby will continue to stay close to its mother as she searches for food because the young calf could easily be prey for a roaming bear. It this book you will learn about the moose's habitat, what they eat, the growth pattern of their calves, when they mate, you'll discover why they drop their antlers, how they survive the winter, how they can escape predators like the gray wolf, and much more! Did you know that "an adult eats an average of 44 pounds (20 kg) of food a day?" That is just one fact you will find in this amazing book!
This book has been carefully researched and lists capable technical advisors. What I especially like about this book is that the writing is detailed without being too technical and could be easily introduced and read to the younger child much in the same way you would a picture book. Arnold's beautifully appealing collage artwork no doubt has made me a fan of hers. In the front of the book is a single page with information about the species and there are scattered informative sidebars. In the back of the book is a global map illustrating where they live, some "Moose Fun Facts," a glossary, an index and additional recommended books and internet resources (Fact Hound). This is one book in the Caroline Arnold "Animal Series," that would be an excellent read and discuss book in the homeschool or classroom setting!
Quill says: This captivating story about the moose, denizen of the north, will entrance the young reader!
http://www.featheredquill.com/reviews/childrens/arnold.shtml" - Feathered Quill Book Reviews
February 10, 2010