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Moose #2
Circle, Square, Moose
In this companion to the acclaimed Z Is for Moose, Moose infiltrates a book about shapes (because he loves shapes, naturally) and it is up to his best friend, Zebra, to restore order and save the day. Another triumph from the award-winning team of Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky.
This hilarious book manages to illustrate a fact or two about shapes while providing a three-dimensional stomping ground for best friends Moose and Zebra. What will happen? Who will save the day? It's all up in the air until the final page, where Moose and Zebra (and Cat, too) create a perfect—and perfectly heartwarming—ending. This stand-alone companion to Z Is for Moose features a multilayered story told through text, asides, conversation bubbles, and pictures. Themes of friendship, exploration, and conflict resolution—and of course the concept of shapes, including the shape of a book—make this an ideal read-aloud for the elementary school classroom and for home!
This hilarious book manages to illustrate a fact or two about shapes while providing a three-dimensional stomping ground for best friends Moose and Zebra. What will happen? Who will save the day? It's all up in the air until the final page, where Moose and Zebra (and Cat, too) create a perfect—and perfectly heartwarming—ending. This stand-alone companion to Z Is for Moose features a multilayered story told through text, asides, conversation bubbles, and pictures. Themes of friendship, exploration, and conflict resolution—and of course the concept of shapes, including the shape of a book—make this an ideal read-aloud for the elementary school classroom and for home!
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Bingham
6 books40 followersKelly Bingham is the author of the award-winning novel Shark Girl as well as Z Is for Moose, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Recipient of an MFA in writing for children and young adults, Kelly Bingham lives in Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 20, 2019
Moose is up to mischief again as he tries to help the reader learn shapes. The narrator is explaining different shapes -- circle, square, triangle, diamond, curve -- and what objects these shapes look like. Moose wants to help but causes mayhem instead. Luckily, Zebra has come to help get moose out of the book. It's not until Zebra and Moose get tangled up in a ribbon that the narrator calls it quits. There is still one shape left to discuss. Who will explain it to us?
This delightful book explains shapes with a mischievous Moose wrecking mayhem throughout the story. The two concepts I picked up on most in the book are shapes and friendship. I haven't read the first book Z is for Moose ; however, I feel this story stood fine on its own as a standalone. Students in kindergarten to first grade will enjoy learning shapes with Moose, Zebra and Cat.
This delightful book explains shapes with a mischievous Moose wrecking mayhem throughout the story. The two concepts I picked up on most in the book are shapes and friendship. I haven't read the first book Z is for Moose ; however, I feel this story stood fine on its own as a standalone. Students in kindergarten to first grade will enjoy learning shapes with Moose, Zebra and Cat.
January 9, 2015
Moose is back in another installment of mayhem. In this one the narrator is trying to teach readers about shapes. However trouble begins when Moose gets hungry and eats the square. Granted it was a sandwich. But really? Doesn't he have any sense of decency? So he tries to make up for the mess by helping with triangles which could be cat's ears, right? Wrong! Moose get out of the way!
Fortunately Zebra steps in to try to help his friend Moose get out of the way. But Moose runs from Zebra resulting in a hilarious chase through the rest of the book.
Children will love examining each picture to see what mischief Moose has gotten everyone into. Not a great storytime read as there's too much going on in the pictures.
Fortunately Zebra steps in to try to help his friend Moose get out of the way. But Moose runs from Zebra resulting in a hilarious chase through the rest of the book.
Children will love examining each picture to see what mischief Moose has gotten everyone into. Not a great storytime read as there's too much going on in the pictures.
January 4, 2016
How can I not read and giggle all the way through as Moose ruins still another of Kelly Bingham’s stories. Kelly tries really hard to explain, in cute rhyme, what each shape is and how it is recognized, but more and more, Moose jumps in to join the fun. Thank goodness, Zebra also appears to help, but you’ll need to read the rest of the story to discover what happens next. Very cute story, especially if you’re ready to laugh out loud!
September 12, 2017
Circle, Square, Moose is a shape book that has Moose up to his crazy shenanigans! Moose wants to eat the sandwich and be in the book. Zebra is trying to shoo him out when he gets tangled in a ribbon. The two end up having to finish the book together. Moose books always have a funny story line and a story line so that a child doesn't actually realize they are reviewing. I love the pictures in these books! They go well with the story and bring it to life. This a great book for children ages 4-7, who know their shapes or are learning theor shapes. This is another funny book!
September 23, 2014
Given their importance I can think of no two I'd rather have introduce shapes to young readers than Moose and Zebra from Z is for Moose. The comedic characters are back in Circle Square Moose (Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers) written by Kelly Bingham with illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky. A first-class rascal leads his play-by-the-rules friend on a riotous romp
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1rs0m1i
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1rs0m1i
November 13, 2014
I'm totally comfortable with a series of Moose interrupting every little kid/concept book trope. Next up: a season book, please?
January 18, 2018
Great fun for story time!
Moose
Shapes
Moose
Shapes
August 1, 2025
Moose and a Zebra cause a mess while you learn about shapes!!! Loved it!!! Pictures are GOOD!
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November 30, 2015Title: Circle, Square, Moose
Author:Kelly Bingham
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Genre: concept book
Theme(s): shapes
Opening line/sentence: Moose loves shapes! Circles! Squares! Triangles! Hooray!
Brief Book Summary: A book that teach kids shapes in our life. Each shape is connected to some objects in our life, you can find any shape anywhere around you!
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: KIRKUS REVIEW
Moose is back! Hooray—unless you are a book about circles and squares.
The simple concept book starts off well enough with a button representing a circle and a sandwich representing a square. And then mischief and mayhem erupt as Moose takes an enormous bite out of the sandwich. Admonitions from the book follow, and then it attempts to continue with a wedge of cheese and a slice of pie to illustrate triangles. Alas, Moose interrupts again, presenting a cat with triangular ears. Leave the book, they are told. More Moose antics ensue with rectangles and diamonds. The book grows ever more frantic, and fortunately Zebra arrives to salvage the exercise. Or does he? Zebra appears hopelessly tangled in ribbon (a curve) when Moose steps in to save the day with a circle that becomes a hole through which they escape the book. Moose then presents his friend with the last shape, a star. It is a great joy to watch Bingham and Zelinsky, who brilliantly collaborated on Z Is for Moose (2012), once more let Moose loose to naughtily and enthusiastically disrupt reading. Bingham’s text is both straightforward and filled with humorous speech bubbles. Zelinsky digitally manipulates his palette of bright colors to fill the pages with sly clues, fast-paced action, expressive typefaces and animals with winning personalities. Are further books in Moose’s future?
Hilarious fun. (Picture book. 4-6)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:Having thoroughly disrupted an alphabet book in Z Is for Moose, Bingham and Zelinsky’s enthusiastically in-the-way quadruped has his way with a primer on shapes. Bingham gives the unseen narrator a sickly sweet tone, complete with predictable rhymes, though Moose’s interruptions (such as eating the sandwich used to demonstrate as a square) quickly raise hackles. “You are ruining the book. This is a book about shap–” begins the narrator, before another new arrival, the referee Zebra from the previous book, pops in, resulting in a metafictional chase that has the animals “crinkling” pages, getting tangled in acres of ribbon, and falling down a hole into a sort of picture-book void. It’s wild fun, and adults could probably even use the book to explore shapes with children, if they can get them to stop laughing long enough. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews agree that this is a hilarious fun book. It is telling the basic idea of shapes in a very interactive way. The kirkus review evaluates the language in this book as straightforward, which is appropriate for children who still learning shapes. Also, the use of word bubbles, bright colors made this book more enjoyable to read.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This interactive book extremely works for read-aloud, and for parents to explore shapes with their children. The texts are written with rhymes, language is easy to understand. Children will read it again and again. Similar to “We are in a book”, the characters in this book seem to be lively and can run out of the book. The illustrations are in bright color, which made this book more delightful.
Consideration of Instructional Application: To do read-aloud with children and discuss with them about shapes. After having enough fun with this book, they can search around the classroom and find objects in different shapes. Then they will share with the class.
Author:Kelly Bingham
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Genre: concept book
Theme(s): shapes
Opening line/sentence: Moose loves shapes! Circles! Squares! Triangles! Hooray!
Brief Book Summary: A book that teach kids shapes in our life. Each shape is connected to some objects in our life, you can find any shape anywhere around you!
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: KIRKUS REVIEW
Moose is back! Hooray—unless you are a book about circles and squares.
The simple concept book starts off well enough with a button representing a circle and a sandwich representing a square. And then mischief and mayhem erupt as Moose takes an enormous bite out of the sandwich. Admonitions from the book follow, and then it attempts to continue with a wedge of cheese and a slice of pie to illustrate triangles. Alas, Moose interrupts again, presenting a cat with triangular ears. Leave the book, they are told. More Moose antics ensue with rectangles and diamonds. The book grows ever more frantic, and fortunately Zebra arrives to salvage the exercise. Or does he? Zebra appears hopelessly tangled in ribbon (a curve) when Moose steps in to save the day with a circle that becomes a hole through which they escape the book. Moose then presents his friend with the last shape, a star. It is a great joy to watch Bingham and Zelinsky, who brilliantly collaborated on Z Is for Moose (2012), once more let Moose loose to naughtily and enthusiastically disrupt reading. Bingham’s text is both straightforward and filled with humorous speech bubbles. Zelinsky digitally manipulates his palette of bright colors to fill the pages with sly clues, fast-paced action, expressive typefaces and animals with winning personalities. Are further books in Moose’s future?
Hilarious fun. (Picture book. 4-6)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:Having thoroughly disrupted an alphabet book in Z Is for Moose, Bingham and Zelinsky’s enthusiastically in-the-way quadruped has his way with a primer on shapes. Bingham gives the unseen narrator a sickly sweet tone, complete with predictable rhymes, though Moose’s interruptions (such as eating the sandwich used to demonstrate as a square) quickly raise hackles. “You are ruining the book. This is a book about shap–” begins the narrator, before another new arrival, the referee Zebra from the previous book, pops in, resulting in a metafictional chase that has the animals “crinkling” pages, getting tangled in acres of ribbon, and falling down a hole into a sort of picture-book void. It’s wild fun, and adults could probably even use the book to explore shapes with children, if they can get them to stop laughing long enough. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews agree that this is a hilarious fun book. It is telling the basic idea of shapes in a very interactive way. The kirkus review evaluates the language in this book as straightforward, which is appropriate for children who still learning shapes. Also, the use of word bubbles, bright colors made this book more enjoyable to read.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This interactive book extremely works for read-aloud, and for parents to explore shapes with their children. The texts are written with rhymes, language is easy to understand. Children will read it again and again. Similar to “We are in a book”, the characters in this book seem to be lively and can run out of the book. The illustrations are in bright color, which made this book more delightful.
Consideration of Instructional Application: To do read-aloud with children and discuss with them about shapes. After having enough fun with this book, they can search around the classroom and find objects in different shapes. Then they will share with the class.
October 24, 2018
Bingham, Kelly Circle, Square, Moose 48 pp. Greenwillow (HarperCollins Children's Books Group) 2014. ISBN 978-0-06-229003-8 LE ISBN 978-0-06-229004-5
Recommended grade level: K-3
Format: Beginning book – Concept
Themes: Picture Books; Animals--Zebras; Humorous stories; Concept books--Shapes and sizes; Animals--Moose; Behavior; Books and reading; Friendship
Major Awards: N/A
Summary:
The book titled Circle Square Moose by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky is a beginner’s concept book that talks about shapes with a little twist of an interrupting moose in the mix. Zebra is the Moose friend and Zebra always fixes the Moose’s messes. The author talks about shapes and how they apply in daily life by coming a sandwich to a square, triangles to a half of a sandwich, cheese, and pie, rectangles to dominos, books, and windows, diamonds to kites, and signs, squares are compared to tiles and board games and so on. In the end, instead of Zebra cleaning up the Moose mess, the Moose cleans up his own mess by describing a star to Zebra.
Personal Response:
This beginning concept book does an excellent job of informing the audience about shapes and their function in everyday living. It was a good idea to compare shapes to what children experience every day, so when the children see the shapes they can draw connections to the Circle Square Moose book that they read. I could make a personal connection to this book because the author and illustrator talked about shapes that I have to deal with on a daily bases even with being an adult. The author and illustrator make learning about shapes fun and interesting by incorporating the moose.
Illustrations:
The illustrations were engaging by using a lot of colors. The colors were realistic and they resembled real-life objects in a cartoon fashion. Using the cartoon fashion made the book more interesting and funny while the moose popped in here and there interrupting the shapes with his silly input. The illustrations also provided the characters with emotion and provided the readers with a visual of what the shapes look like and are so they can make outside connections, which is the whole purpose of the book.
Reader Response/Classroom Connections
The overarching message of Circle Square Moose is for students to learn their shapes in a fun and engaging manner. The author relates the shapes to real life objects so the students can make connections to the world around them when reading the book.
Art: The teacher may ask the students to bring in miscellaneous items that they find around the house (that their parents let them bring, and are school appropriate and are on the supply list) that contribute to the shapes that they read about in the book. With these miscellaneous items, the students will create a masterpiece of shapes by gluing down their objects and their friends' objects down on a piece of paper.
Mathematics: The students could measure the shapes and find the length, width, height, diameter, radius, and perimeter of the shapes found in the book.
Language Arts: The students could create a drawing of something that they use on the daily basis and write a sentence with one of the shape terms that they learned within the book.
Science: The students could look at and discuss how shapes go together to form buildings and objects that they have around them.
Recommended grade level: K-3
Format: Beginning book – Concept
Themes: Picture Books; Animals--Zebras; Humorous stories; Concept books--Shapes and sizes; Animals--Moose; Behavior; Books and reading; Friendship
Major Awards: N/A
Summary:
The book titled Circle Square Moose by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky is a beginner’s concept book that talks about shapes with a little twist of an interrupting moose in the mix. Zebra is the Moose friend and Zebra always fixes the Moose’s messes. The author talks about shapes and how they apply in daily life by coming a sandwich to a square, triangles to a half of a sandwich, cheese, and pie, rectangles to dominos, books, and windows, diamonds to kites, and signs, squares are compared to tiles and board games and so on. In the end, instead of Zebra cleaning up the Moose mess, the Moose cleans up his own mess by describing a star to Zebra.
Personal Response:
This beginning concept book does an excellent job of informing the audience about shapes and their function in everyday living. It was a good idea to compare shapes to what children experience every day, so when the children see the shapes they can draw connections to the Circle Square Moose book that they read. I could make a personal connection to this book because the author and illustrator talked about shapes that I have to deal with on a daily bases even with being an adult. The author and illustrator make learning about shapes fun and interesting by incorporating the moose.
Illustrations:
The illustrations were engaging by using a lot of colors. The colors were realistic and they resembled real-life objects in a cartoon fashion. Using the cartoon fashion made the book more interesting and funny while the moose popped in here and there interrupting the shapes with his silly input. The illustrations also provided the characters with emotion and provided the readers with a visual of what the shapes look like and are so they can make outside connections, which is the whole purpose of the book.
Reader Response/Classroom Connections
The overarching message of Circle Square Moose is for students to learn their shapes in a fun and engaging manner. The author relates the shapes to real life objects so the students can make connections to the world around them when reading the book.
Art: The teacher may ask the students to bring in miscellaneous items that they find around the house (that their parents let them bring, and are school appropriate and are on the supply list) that contribute to the shapes that they read about in the book. With these miscellaneous items, the students will create a masterpiece of shapes by gluing down their objects and their friends' objects down on a piece of paper.
Mathematics: The students could measure the shapes and find the length, width, height, diameter, radius, and perimeter of the shapes found in the book.
Language Arts: The students could create a drawing of something that they use on the daily basis and write a sentence with one of the shape terms that they learned within the book.
Science: The students could look at and discuss how shapes go together to form buildings and objects that they have around them.
March 3, 2015
If you have children you have no doubt read loads of books about shapes; the circle, the square, the dodecahedron. They are all variations of the same things – this wheel is round like a circle, this bread reminds me of a square, what on earth is a dodecahedron? Why not spice the book up by throwing in a moose, but not just any moose. This is a moose that brings chaos to everything he touches and must be chased from the book!
There is an anarchic pleasure to ‘Circle, Square, Moose’ by Kelly L Bingham that borders on the absurd, but manages to turn into genius. Things start off routinely as the narrator describes different shapes; things soon start to go awry when Moose turns up and wants to help. Unfortunately, he is a pretty clumsy chap and just gets in the way. The narrator cannot get rid of Moose and neither can Zebra, who manages to make things even worse. What starts off as a rather bland book about shapes descends into something far more entraining.
At times this book borders on the precipice of being Meta; deconstructing the fundamentals of the educational children’s book. For this reason, it is best read by those that have already learnt their shapes and are aware that the book is a joke. You are not going to learn much about the basics of mathematical modelling here, but you will be entertained by some flights of fancy that take the story off the page and into your imagination.
To accompany Bingham’s third wall breaking ideas an artist is required that can create a standard kids book, but also one that appears to have creatures stepping from the real world into the book. Paul O Zelinsky does a good job in doing this, using fake page turns and even darkness to represent the narrator being frustrated with the characters that have hijacked their story. Moose is a great looking character and is somehow imbued with a cheekiness that makes his antics enjoyable, rather than annoying.
‘Circle, Square, Moose’ is an ideal book for child with an inquisitive mind and a cheeky sense of humour. It bridges the space between educational books for the very young and emerging readers. Be aware that the slightly gonzo spirit of the book requires you to understand what the joke is – if you do, this is a very amusing book that takes the rules of writing and plays with them. Original review on bookbag.co.uk
There is an anarchic pleasure to ‘Circle, Square, Moose’ by Kelly L Bingham that borders on the absurd, but manages to turn into genius. Things start off routinely as the narrator describes different shapes; things soon start to go awry when Moose turns up and wants to help. Unfortunately, he is a pretty clumsy chap and just gets in the way. The narrator cannot get rid of Moose and neither can Zebra, who manages to make things even worse. What starts off as a rather bland book about shapes descends into something far more entraining.
At times this book borders on the precipice of being Meta; deconstructing the fundamentals of the educational children’s book. For this reason, it is best read by those that have already learnt their shapes and are aware that the book is a joke. You are not going to learn much about the basics of mathematical modelling here, but you will be entertained by some flights of fancy that take the story off the page and into your imagination.
To accompany Bingham’s third wall breaking ideas an artist is required that can create a standard kids book, but also one that appears to have creatures stepping from the real world into the book. Paul O Zelinsky does a good job in doing this, using fake page turns and even darkness to represent the narrator being frustrated with the characters that have hijacked their story. Moose is a great looking character and is somehow imbued with a cheekiness that makes his antics enjoyable, rather than annoying.
‘Circle, Square, Moose’ is an ideal book for child with an inquisitive mind and a cheeky sense of humour. It bridges the space between educational books for the very young and emerging readers. Be aware that the slightly gonzo spirit of the book requires you to understand what the joke is – if you do, this is a very amusing book that takes the rules of writing and plays with them. Original review on bookbag.co.uk
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October 12, 2019This book follows the alphabet Moose book, with Moose this time interrupting what appears to be a standard shape book. His friend Zebra tries to convince Moose to leave the book, but both characters end up in a tricky situation.
Kids enjoyed it.
Kids enjoyed it.
November 11, 2014
This Moose book, my first - as I haven't read
Z Is for Moose
, is complete silly chaos! However, there is a bit of basic shape learning that comes through the distraction.
I read an advanced copy.
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Size & Shape
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Pages: 48 Jacketed Hardcover 11x9"
Date Published: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Grade level: 2
Interest Level: P-4
Guided Reading Level: M
COMMON CORE OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a story. Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
What is the author's purpose for writing this book? Discuss the different purposes using evidence from the story. Create a shape book using objects from your environment. M.K.G.A.1; RL.2.2
How does the author's use of words, phrases, and illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story? What is the overall effect of the way she writes? RL.2.4,7; SL.2.5,5a,5b
Describe how the characters' actions contribute to the sequence of events. RL.2.1,3
Guide: http://readcommoncore.com/book/hardco...
I read an advanced copy.
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Size & Shape
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Pages: 48 Jacketed Hardcover 11x9"
Date Published: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Grade level: 2
Interest Level: P-4
Guided Reading Level: M
COMMON CORE OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS
Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a story. Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
What is the author's purpose for writing this book? Discuss the different purposes using evidence from the story. Create a shape book using objects from your environment. M.K.G.A.1; RL.2.2
How does the author's use of words, phrases, and illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story? What is the overall effect of the way she writes? RL.2.4,7; SL.2.5,5a,5b
Describe how the characters' actions contribute to the sequence of events. RL.2.1,3
Guide: http://readcommoncore.com/book/hardco...
October 10, 2014
When Moose first appeared in Z IS FOR MOOSE I had no doubt he'd be back to claim another book for himself. Sure enough, he hoofed his way into an early math concept/shapes book, finding ways to "prove" that each figure was rightly a MOOSE figure. Bingham's text, cleverly interspersed with rhyming passages, offer ideal opportunities to carry the concepts outside the book, which might be a safer lesson. Moose's claims produce disruptions in labels, spaces, text, and "lessons", all accomplished with his irrepressible and irresistible smile. Kids will savor the humor, adore linking various images back to Z IS FOR MOOSE characters, and cheer when friend ZEBRA shows up to take charge and right the various wrongs. Near the end there is a meta-reference to Weisner's THE THREE PIGS just mayhem ensues.
The lovely twist of ZEBRA needing MOOSE to save the day was so unexpected and the solution so perfect that we must all hold them to their promise on the final pages:
Can we do that again? Yes, Zebra, we can do that again.
The lovely twist of ZEBRA needing MOOSE to save the day was so unexpected and the solution so perfect that we must all hold them to their promise on the final pages:
Can we do that again? Yes, Zebra, we can do that again.
March 23, 2023
I still love Moose and Zebra - so silly and such good friends - but I do prefer Z Is for Moose to this one, even though it's by just a little bit. Moose creates better (?) chaos with the alphabet than with shapes, I guess? Either way, it's still a really silly book and definitely worth the read.
Both the Zebra & Moose books are pretty conversational in structure, so be sure to practice before using in a storytime. Totally worth it though! This is a good one for shapes, zebras, or moose, of course, and I used it in one on back-to-school themes (books about what kids learn in school - ABCs, 123s, colors, shapes, etc). The kids enjoyed participating with naming the shapes, and kept an eye out for how Moose was working his way into this non-animal book about shapes.
Both the Zebra & Moose books are pretty conversational in structure, so be sure to practice before using in a storytime. Totally worth it though! This is a good one for shapes, zebras, or moose, of course, and I used it in one on back-to-school themes (books about what kids learn in school - ABCs, 123s, colors, shapes, etc). The kids enjoyed participating with naming the shapes, and kept an eye out for how Moose was working his way into this non-animal book about shapes.
November 3, 2014
This is a book on shapes that gets interrupted by Moose who just LOVES shapes. It is a way for students to learn shapes with a fun little twist.
This book could be used to teach shapes, or as an introduction to a unit on shapes. I think children will enjoy the quirky interruption of the moose and the zebra as he tries to get the moose out of the story. It would be a good book to use for many different examples of the different shapes since they provide many examples. You could read the book and then have students brainstorm other examples of the different shapes or also if they know any shapes that the book does not include.
This book could be used to teach shapes, or as an introduction to a unit on shapes. I think children will enjoy the quirky interruption of the moose and the zebra as he tries to get the moose out of the story. It would be a good book to use for many different examples of the different shapes since they provide many examples. You could read the book and then have students brainstorm other examples of the different shapes or also if they know any shapes that the book does not include.
January 23, 2017
I adored the ABC book by this author with these same characters (Moose and Zebra), so when I spotted this in the library, I had to give it quick read as well. It was also pretty cute, but didn't live up to my love for the alphabet book. Moose's enthusiasm for shapes is fun. Luckily, Zebra is on hand to try to keep him from ruining the whole lesson.
These books utilize such a clever concept of slipping in just enough information to be educational while making it a fun, entertaining read. Even the chaos is educational too, though :-) And Moose is just so easy to love, even for someone like me who likes rules and order!
These books utilize such a clever concept of slipping in just enough information to be educational while making it a fun, entertaining read. Even the chaos is educational too, though :-) And Moose is just so easy to love, even for someone like me who likes rules and order!
November 6, 2014
I confess, I have a soft spot in my heart for these kind of books. A book where a character interrupts the supposed original story, which in this case is a book about shapes. But moose loves shapes and causing mayhem and so he just can't stay out of the book. The especially amusing part in this book though is Zebra's efforts to stop his enthusiastic friend from 'ruining' the story. Having read the first book to groups of kindergartners, I can safely say that this is another winning combination.
November 18, 2015
Another Moose adventure! Not quite as funny as the ABC book (because it is often hard to top the humor after something so new and unexpected as that). Still, one gets the shapes in there and has the fun/silly humor added as only Moose can, and includes a sweet ending. Going to try this in storytime. More to point out, but I get pretty small crowds, so that might work.
11/18/15 Used in Moose theme, after reading Z is for Moose. The kids enjoyed seeing Moose in another tale and what he was up to. They worried he'd have another tantrum. They really liked the ending.
11/18/15 Used in Moose theme, after reading Z is for Moose. The kids enjoyed seeing Moose in another tale and what he was up to. They worried he'd have another tantrum. They really liked the ending.
Read
September 25, 2018Both kids loved this book. They giggled all the way through Circle, Square, Moose. I wasn't surprised that my kids found this book hilarious. I liked it, too. The Moose device is unexpected and cute. Even though it is repetitive, it is funny on every page.
Pros: An adorable plot device and cute illustrations will have readers laughing and asking to read Circle, Square, Moose again.
There's more to our review. Visit the Reading Tub. While you’re there, add a link to your review.
Pros: An adorable plot device and cute illustrations will have readers laughing and asking to read Circle, Square, Moose again.
There's more to our review. Visit the Reading Tub. While you’re there, add a link to your review.
August 9, 2019
This is the sequel to Z is for Moose. Once again Kelly Bingham turns the concept book on its head. This time it's with shapes.
I love Paul O. Zelinsky's wild illustrations to go with the zaniness of the story.
Another great book for back to school with Kindergartners and first graders. This would be fun with second grade when they begin their math unit on shapes too.
If you are looking for it at your library, you may find that it is in the non-fiction section. So be sure to look it up in the catalog.
I love Paul O. Zelinsky's wild illustrations to go with the zaniness of the story.
Another great book for back to school with Kindergartners and first graders. This would be fun with second grade when they begin their math unit on shapes too.
If you are looking for it at your library, you may find that it is in the non-fiction section. So be sure to look it up in the catalog.
October 15, 2014
Not a good read aloud, but would be good as a 1-to-1 read parent/child interaction because
3 voices, the text, the book and the animals. No labelling of this.
The story starts of clear and precise about shapes in real life, but then a moose takes over, and his friend Zebra joins in too. At this point, the physical flow the text across the page becomes really fragmented, highly variable in size and overlaps.
The storyline therefore would have to be explained by a parent.
3 voices, the text, the book and the animals. No labelling of this.
The story starts of clear and precise about shapes in real life, but then a moose takes over, and his friend Zebra joins in too. At this point, the physical flow the text across the page becomes really fragmented, highly variable in size and overlaps.
The storyline therefore would have to be explained by a parent.
December 9, 2014
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: Moose, zebra, cat
Concept Skill: Shapes
Moose enters this shape book after they use a delicious looking sandwich for a square and of course he wants to stay! The narrator tries to get moose to leave but without much success. Zebra enters the book feeling confident in his past experience and ends up chasing Moose throughout the book. A delightful sequel that isn't a carbon copy of the original.
Animals: Moose, zebra, cat
Concept Skill: Shapes
Moose enters this shape book after they use a delicious looking sandwich for a square and of course he wants to stay! The narrator tries to get moose to leave but without much success. Zebra enters the book feeling confident in his past experience and ends up chasing Moose throughout the book. A delightful sequel that isn't a carbon copy of the original.
December 31, 2014
Moose takes over a book, yet again. This time, it's about shapes. Moose loves shapes and wants to be in the book. The narrator, on the other hand, would prefer if the book stayed more about shapes and less about animals. Even Zebra, the referee, tries to get Moose out of the book. To no avail. Eventually, the narrator gives up and lets Moose and Zebra finish the book.
Fun for preschool storytimes.
Fun for preschool storytimes.
March 23, 2015
Moose and his friend Zebra are back. After triumphing in teaching kids the alphabet with a twist or two plus many smiles, they now turn their attention to getting little ones acquainted with basic shapes.
Once again you'll smile and the little ones will giggle repeatedly. Moose, his friend Zebra and an added cat take you through the basic shapes and then add a few twists that tell you you have to take life as it comes.
Another delightful read from Kelly Bingham.
Once again you'll smile and the little ones will giggle repeatedly. Moose, his friend Zebra and an added cat take you through the basic shapes and then add a few twists that tell you you have to take life as it comes.
Another delightful read from Kelly Bingham.
March 29, 2015
Super funny, inventive, just right for its target audience! What starts as a staid and standard shapes book becomes a hilarious goof when Moose crashes in. In classic kid 'look at me' fashion, Moose bends herself into shapes, eats them, and gets evicted from the story. In swoops Zebra, and the book becomes a sweet tale of friendship. Kids will love Moose and Zebra and how they make their own fun. Perfect for reading together in lapsits or story times.
September 4, 2019
Bingham and Zelinsky team up again in a very cute introduction to shapes. The comedy of Moose continuously interrupting continues from the pair's first book (Z is for Moose), but this title can be read effectively without having read the previous book. My one caveat for this title is that the plot angle of friendship seems to appear rather abruptly at the end, but the rest of the book is adorable. It will be a good read aloud for literacy with early math concepts.
October 27, 2014
Cute cute cute. I adore Moose and love how much trouble he can cause just with his presence. The first book is by far the stronger for humour, but I found this one to be much more touching. The friendship of Moose and Zebra is the focus, with Zebra again coming to terms with how Moose seems to live in an alternative reality. The storming off narrator is an added lovely touch!
November 11, 2014
I love these silly & clever takes on concept books. Fun way to reinforce shapes. Obviously, not a good book to actually teach shapes. I like the thought Zelinsky puts into the illustrations: background of each shape page is the shape, seeing Moose peaking through front pages; illustrations on Zebra & Moose sneaking ahead through blank pages; the choas, and of course the cat!
December 16, 2014
An awesome follow-up to Z Is for Moose. Moose and Zebra are back in another adventure, this time dealing with shapes. Kids will learn about shapes but also enjoy the antics of Moose as he worms his way into the story.
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