Title: This is A Moose

Author: Richard T. Morris

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

Publishers and Year: Little Brown and Company, 2014

Number of pages: 39

Genre: Fiction

This book is takes the reader on the set of a movie about a Moose with a wild heart and big dreams. On the set the Moose reveals his big dreams of becoming an astronaut, much to the horror of the director. Even though Moose is continually put down for his dreams, he never gives up.

I believe that this text operates as a mirror for the intended audience. I believe this book acts as a mirror because it could possibly reflect the reader’s own feelings. Children have wild and crazy dreams at times. However, adults tend to snuff out the hope for such dreams with our words or our actions if not careful. The author presents the thought that children can achieve their dreams despite what others think they should be or should do. This opens a door for them to believe it for themselves and continue pursing dreams that might otherwise seem impossible.

Throughout the book, power is given largely to the negative and discouraging words being spoken over the animals. The pictures often conflict with the discouraging words in that the animals continue to pursue their dreams despite repeated warnings that “a moose can’t do that” or “a giraffe can’t be this.” The contradiction seen between the text and image is a powerful statement to children to push through persecution and reach for the stars.

The illustrator’s use of vibrant colors and attention-grabbing text draws in the reader. The pictures are comical enough to engage the reader from the first page. However, the progression of the story is clearly shown in a very memorable way. The text in this story plays just as an important role as the illustrations, however. The text is extremely large, very vibrant, and often uses an odd, attention-grabbing font. Word bubbles are used to express dialogue in a fun way that also alerts the reader to the urgency of tone. This heightens the emotion behind the words being spoken and makes Moose’s victory that much greater. In addition to this, the readers see the progression between Moose’s hopes being openly spoken, verbally torn apart, and the perseverance it took to see him succeed. Overall, this book helps us to realize that dreams, like people, come in all shapes and sizes and that people should never allow our perception of a person to limit their potential. Believe /encourage people to pursue their dreams, and don’t let the world put anyone’s potential in a box.