Chocolate Moose

PreS-Gr 1—After misreading a help-wanted sign, a moose who loves chocolate begins working in Mrs. Mouse's small bakery. Despite his earnest efforts, he eats, breaks, or spills more in the tiny kitchen than he bakes. However, because he entertains and calms Mrs. Mouse's many babies, this "Chocolate Moose" finds a new job as bakery babysitter and still receives chocolaty treats. The muted color palette and texture in the watercolor and ink illustrations depict the disasters of a cuddly moose, which are in contrast to the efficient actions of Mrs. Mouse in her clean, white apron. The static cover art shows nothing of Moose's kitchen mishaps or babysitting talents. Although enjoyable and cozy, neither text nor art makes this an essential purchase.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD