Z Is for Moose

by Kelly Bingham, Paul O. Zelinsky (Illustrator)

Overview

Z is for Zebra.

Zebra is absolutely certain he’ll be able to direct everyone to appear on the correct page, at the appropriate time, without any mishaps, unnecessary drama, or hurt feelings. It’s the ABCs, for goodness’ sake. How difficult can it be?

Oh, dear.

Zebra forgot about moose.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060799847
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/28/2012
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	BR (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Kelly Bingham has been a storyboard artist, story supervisor, and director and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of Shark Girl, which was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. Kelly Bingham lives in Ellijay, Georgia.

Editorial Reviews

Everybody will be elated with this goofy new way of going from A to Z.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

A wry twist on an alphabet story makes for laugh-out-loud fun. Poor Moose. He tries to get into the alphabetic act on every letter page from D to L, but Zebra, who's directing the assemblage, insists it's not his turn yet and that he must move off the page. When it IS time for M, Zebra decides to go with Mouse, and Moose flips his antlers--well, his lid. Zebra tries to console the despondent moose, telling him he can still be in the book even though the only letter left is Z. Solution? Z becomes "Zebra's friend, Moose." How perfect that Z-elinsky is the illustrator. His often-elegant style turns comedic here, with brightly colored borders framing each letter in a simple scene. The borders become a design device for Moose, as he pokes his head over the edges or stomps the scene within angrily. In others, Moose tries to camouflage himself, as when he squeezes behind an Ice-cream cone or hitchhikes a ride in the Kangaroo's pouch. Dialogue balloons express Moose's eagerness, asking, "Now?" and declaring (mistakenly), "Here it comes!" Zebra, wearing a referee's black-and-white striped shirt and carrying a clipboard, answers, "NO, not yet!" Kids who are learning their ABCs or have just learned them will find this hysterical, and it has great potential for storytimes. Just label it F for funny. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews

…one of the best picture books this year [2012]. Kelly Bingham has already displayed skill with young adult novels like Shark Girl. In Z Is for Moose she turns her creative intelligence to the 2- to 6-year-old crew, demonstrating how strong writing can be combined with an exciting visual interpretation. It's hard to come up with something new for an alphabet book, but Bingham has done just that…Leaving lots of room for adult readers to amplify the story, Zelinsky has created some of his happiest and sunniest artwork thus far. It's almost as if he were updating Richard Scarry with the bite and wit that has always been his hallmark.
—The New York Times Book Review

Anita Silvey

Everybody will be elated with this goofy new way of going from A to Z.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“This zany alphabet book will make children smile.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“This laugh-out-loud romp of an abecedary features an impatient moose who just can’t wait for his turn.” — Booklist (starred review)

“If you think you’ve seen every possible idea for an alphabet book played out, think again.” — Horn Book (starred review)

“Just label it F for funny.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Readers accustomed to the usual list of letters will be giggling with suspense by the time ‘L is for Lollipop’ rolls around.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Hilarious mayhem. . . . The familiar ABC has never been more fun.” — The Guardian

From the Publisher

If you think you’ve seen every possible idea for an alphabet book played out, think again.

Horn Book (starred review)

Hilarious mayhem. . . . The familiar ABC has never been more fun.

The Guardian

This laugh-out-loud romp of an abecedary features an impatient moose who just can’t wait for his turn.

Booklist (starred review)

Everybody will be elated with this goofy new way of going from A to Z.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"If you think you’ve seen every possible idea for an alphabet book played out, think again."

Horn Book

"This laugh-out-loud romp of an abecedary features an impatient moose who just can’t wait for his turn."

Booklist

"Everybody will be elated with this goofy new way of going from A to Z."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Everybody will be elated with this goofy new way of going from A to Z.

The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books