Once Upon a Blue Moose

Wonderful story book with delightful pics. Although the point of the story is obscure to little ones, it gives a chance for a little visit with kids about expressing appreciation to those who mean so much to us. Highly recommended.

Every once in a great while I find a book or film that truly engages me and transports me to a unique and fascinating place. It's hard to put this feeling into words except to say that the Blue Moose books have this special, wonderful quality. Please, Mr. Pinkwater, write ten more moose books!

You've never seen a blue moose? Well, you are about to meet a handsome, shade of Blue Moose in author Daniel Pinkwater's 'Once Upon A Blue Moose'. Blue Moose is the headwaiter at Mr. Breton's restaurant, which is set by the edge of a northern forest. People came from all over the territories to meet Blue Moose, and savor Mr. Breton's delicious cooking. Customers are charmed with Moose's service, and suggestions of menu specialties, and among them are game warden Mr. Bobowich, and hermit David. Blue Moose makes an exemplary partner for 'Chef'(the moniker which moose gave Mr. Breton.) Blue Moose decides to work in his room, using Chef's old typewriter, to transfer to type what he had written in 'longhoof'. When moose becomes discouraged, his sigh rattles windows, and for a period of five-weeks, Blue Moose has the 'blues', and seeks seclusion in his room. Blue Moose was writing a "...great book, the most wonderful book ever written by man or moose". The masterpiece entitled 'The True Story of a Wild Moose by D. Moosus Moosewater' is mailed to publishers Klotz, Yold & Company, Inc. It includes Blue Moose's encounter with a fifty-foot high Space Moose from the galaxy of Betelmoose. The raging, bully threatens Blue, "...before I trample you into a moose-flavored pizza, I'll tell you exactly what I'm doing here...". Among many of Blue's adventures are his efforts to find the North American vampire moose--'Deadly Eric, the Moosepire', at the request of geographer Sir Charles Pacamac. Blue meets 'Nathan of the North', mountain man, scout, and a conservative Jewish rabbi, who shares his 'matzohs'. In Blue's boxcar living quarters, they ponder over the existence of the 'Moosepire'. Clues lead to the discovery of something magical. Daniel Pinkwater's book is Wunderbar, an enjoyable lot of moose-sense and gift for all readers, especially to yourself. Included are 'Moose Questions and Antlers', information such as, female moose give birth to twins or triplets; moose have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell; they can run at 50 mph, and are the largest of the deer family, found in Alaska, Canada, and northern parts of the United States, Europe, Asia, and sometimes wandering moose visit New York City! Hopefully, there will be future Blue Moose adventures in Pinkwater's repertoire of young readers writings. ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: PLEASE BURY ME IN THE LIBRARY by J. Patrick Lewis Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone; ALIENS ARE COMING The True Account of the 1938 -- War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast by Meghan McCarthy; ANDREW LOST #13 IN THE GARBAGE by J. C. Greenburg

Here is the Blue Moose trilogy, back in print and all in one volume. This format is smaller than the old books were, but the illustrations still look really great. There are a few sections of moose facts [with a humorous slant], and there's even a letter from the moose himself! Blue Moose is my favorite Pinkwater book, the first one I remember reading. I love the tale of Mr. Breton's restaurant in the woods. I love reading about the difference the moose made in Mr. Breton's life, and I will never forget the impact the line "I AM NOT A TAME MOOSE!" had when my mom read it aloud. In kindergarten, I took Blue Moose to school so my teacher could read it to the whole class. I remember her asking, "Does anyone know what a game warden is?" I raised my hand and answered, "It's the person in charge of all the video games." My teacher was so nice--she didn't embarrass me by correcting me! I didn't read Return of the Moose and The Moosepire till much later. While I was happy to read about the moose's continuing adventures (writing a book and solving a mystery), the sequels didn't have quite the effect on me that the original did. I think they lacked the cozy ambience of the first book--but what CAN compare to Blue Moose? It's great to have all three books, and you can't go wrong at this price! These books are must-haves, and I'm so glad to be able to pass them on to the next generation!