The Invisible Moose

A moose who suffered a devastating accident of being struck by a tree when his antlers were forming resulting in them now being shaped by question marks, like all the male moose in the area wants to mate with the most beautiful female moose in all of Canada. Since his horns are deformed, not only does he constantly receive ridicule from the other animals with taunts such as "You want to ask me something?", but he also cannot display that he is the worthy moose to breed with her by fighting and smashing antlers together the way the other males of his species do. For a long while this moose has just spied on her from afar, and over time rationalises to himself that he is not interested in her due to her beauty but instead the goodness inside her (she releases other animals from traps etc). One day (the first day of winter) the other males are far enough away so he decides he has nothing to loose and will try that pick up line on her and see what happens but her smile throws him and he can only utter a stupid line of "Nice Weather". Before he can pull himself mentally together and use the pick up line a tremendous noise shatters the moment. A trapper on a huge machine that knocks down trees in its way emerges, sees the female moose, captures her and drives off. The shy moose reads the words New York City on the number plate and sets off to find the wise old owl to tell him what it means. He learns of the city of New York across the border but is warned he will be shot and killed long before reaching the city and even if he can somehow make it there alive he will not be able to wander the streets searching for the female moose as it'll be down to animal control for him. Luckily however the owl has also invented an invisibility potion so the moose decides he will go. During his search the moose is able to learn much about humans such as their desire to eat moose (chocolate mousse). When he eventually finds the beautiful female moose the only way they can escape comes with the ultimate question. Does he really not care about her looks or was being interested in her due to her being a good moose inside all just a lie in his head? I like how the story never gives these moose names making it more authentic as obviously moose wouldn't give each other names in the real world. Although it does give the owl one. It's an interesting story that also pays homage to H F Saint's Memoirs of an Invisible Man and the Chevy Chase 80's film of that book with the moose at one stage dressing in the bandages, sunglasses and a robe. If you like invisible animal stories also check out Mem Fox's classic Possum Magic. Selby's Shemozzle is another invisible animal story this time with a dog. If you want good fiction stories about being invisible, invisible men (or kids) the best two novels are Memoirs of an Invisible Man by H. F. Saint and Smoke by Donald E Westlake. These two books are adult fiction and maybe a bit above the reading level of some kids.

Dennis Haseley's The Invisible Moose receives Steven Kellogg's warm illustrations as it provides a picturebook romance for the very young. What chance does a shy boy-moose have to win the love of the most beautiful girl-moose in Canada? He's content to love from afar - until the terrible Steel McSteal captures his love: it's time to stop being shy! A clever story of magic and romance evolves with a strong lesson in self-confidence.

Such a moose you have never seen. After being struck by a falling tree his antlers "twisted upward like twin question marks." Leave it to popular illustrator Steven Kellogg to capture him in full-page full-color smile provoking paintings. Of course, having his portrait painted probably doesn't interest this young moose very much because he is in love with the most beautiful moose in the forest. He's far too shy to approach her. At last, he gathers his courage but has only said a few words when Steel McSteal, wild animal trapper, came careening into the woods and captured the beautiful moose in his big net and carried her off. All of the moose, including the bashful moose, run after Steel to try to rescue her but when they reach the edge of the woods they hear gun shots - hunting season. They can go no further, but the bashful moose squints his eyes and manages to read "New York City" on Steel's license plate. Of course, the bashful moose has no earthly idea where that is. All he knows is that he must find the one he loves. As it happens, Professor McFowl (a wise old owl) has perfected a serum that will make things invisible, which would enable the bashful moose to go out of the woods without being shot by the hunters. There are two slight problems: Professor McFowl isn't sure how to make things visible again and directions to New York City are a bit vague: "Make a right at Quebec, and follow the water." Youngsters will delight in the adventures of the bashful moose as he sets out to find his one true love. As they say, love conquers all and so does moose in love. - Gail Cooke