Picture Book of the Day: This Is a Moose

This Is a Moose, written by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.   This sly delight employs a truly inventive approach to telling its story about smashing stereotypes and expectations.  Presented as the making of a documentary about the Mighty Moose (the title appears on a clapboard on the title page), the book introduces the titular character, standing on two feet in all his majestic glory.  However, when we learn that the moose wants to be an astronaut, an unseen director yells "Cut" and scolds the beast saying that moose "cannot be astronauts" and orders someone to remove the creature from his space suit.  And the inspired goofiness continues.  During Take Two we learn that the moose's grandmother used to rock at lacrosse, and a later take has a regal giraffe, who also happens to be a doctor, interrupting the story.  As the story grows out of control, with characters trying to help launch the Moose into outer space, the director becomes increasingly agitated, leading to a hilarious reveal and punchline and a pitch perfect ending.  The great Lichtenheld's illustrations are filled with rib-splitting comical touches, and Morris' prose, with its excellent comic timing, tickles the funny bone.  Each reread brings about new surprises.