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The Lonely Moose
Moose has no family, no friends, and rarely entertains visitors. That is, until the day he rescues a bird that cannot fly. Bird turns Moose's solitary life upside down. He sings in the mornings, talks all day long, and he likes to eat worms !
As the days become weeks, Moose and Bird form a special friendship. They eat pond weeds for breakfast, swim every afternoon, and sometimes climb to the very top of the mountain just to enjoy the view. So when a forest fire separates the two friends, Moose is distraught. Bird still hasn’t learned to fly, how could he have survived?
Fortunately, before Moose is able to return to his old ways, Bird finds him once again...and this time brings along a few new friends!
As the days become weeks, Moose and Bird form a special friendship. They eat pond weeds for breakfast, swim every afternoon, and sometimes climb to the very top of the mountain just to enjoy the view. So when a forest fire separates the two friends, Moose is distraught. Bird still hasn’t learned to fly, how could he have survived?
Fortunately, before Moose is able to return to his old ways, Bird finds him once again...and this time brings along a few new friends!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2007
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 6, 2007
Sometimes I try to begin a review of a children's book with some kind of quick association or personal recollection. Other times I'm stumped. Today, looking at the copy of "The Lonely Moose" sitting cheerily at my side, I am of the belief that the book puts the "um" in "stumped". Children's books can be flashy, with bright sparkles, glitter, and glam, or they can fall on the other side of the equation and be simple, achingly beautiful affairs. John Segal's book falls squarely in the latter category and it's hard to say any more than that. The idea of writing a children's book where an animal learns that having friends is fun doesn't sound particularly original on the outset, but Segal has a way of making everything old new again. For those of you looking for a book that is child friendly with all the gentle leanings of a classic, "The Lonely Moose" could well be the book for you.
Moose was pretty content with his lot at the start. He lived by himself by a lake without friends or family nearby. One day, Moose rescues a bird from the center of his lake and soon finds that the bedraggled creature is incapable of flight. Feeling protective, Moose takes Bird under his charge and the two fall into a kind of friendship. True, Moose doesn't much care for early singing or worms, but they both like picking berries and views from the mountain tops. One day a forest fire offers Bird just the impetus he needs to fly and Moose is left all alone again. The seasons change, and in the spring Bird is back... with some colorful friends. After all, as Bird says, "Moose, you can never have too many friends!"
Let's talk colors. More specifically, let's talk watercolors. Can I say that I used to believe that I wasn't a watercolor fan? When you're a kid you associate watercolors with the only art that you're really allowed to do. When you're older you still have that perception somewhere in the back of your brain. Watercolors = child's play. It takes a book like "The Lonely Moose" to remind just how untrue these thoughts can be. Segal separates his colors into three different tones. On the outset you have Moose and his pastoral world of greens, browns, and soft watery blues. Bird, and later his companions, is a bright spot against this mild backdrop. His feathers are a brilliant fiery red with oranges, yellows, and the merest hint of purple on the tip of his tail. Third, there are the threatening grays and blacks that accompany dangerous nighttime scenes or the fire charred landscapes. How these three elements work together in tandem with the storyline is what makes this book both faithful to its own plot and kid-friendly.
You can only get so far on pretty hues and tones, of course. That's where the characters of Moose and Bird come into play. Moose is probably the more expressive of the two. At the story's beginning his most significant emotion is that of mild disinterest in the world around him. As the story continues, however, he displays shock, disgust, delight, fear, and (most impressively) a kind of heartfelt yearning and despair. Bird hasn't as many facial expressions, but then this is not "The Lonely Bird" we're talking about but "The Lonely Moose". Moose is the real hero here, and Bird the fellow who gives his friend the desire to break out of his shell and make a friend.
Altogether, it's a soft sweet story with a lovely little message at its core. One of the nicest children's picture books to come out, and one of the first titles you should think of when someone asks you to recommend a story about friends. A book deserving of love.
Moose was pretty content with his lot at the start. He lived by himself by a lake without friends or family nearby. One day, Moose rescues a bird from the center of his lake and soon finds that the bedraggled creature is incapable of flight. Feeling protective, Moose takes Bird under his charge and the two fall into a kind of friendship. True, Moose doesn't much care for early singing or worms, but they both like picking berries and views from the mountain tops. One day a forest fire offers Bird just the impetus he needs to fly and Moose is left all alone again. The seasons change, and in the spring Bird is back... with some colorful friends. After all, as Bird says, "Moose, you can never have too many friends!"
Let's talk colors. More specifically, let's talk watercolors. Can I say that I used to believe that I wasn't a watercolor fan? When you're a kid you associate watercolors with the only art that you're really allowed to do. When you're older you still have that perception somewhere in the back of your brain. Watercolors = child's play. It takes a book like "The Lonely Moose" to remind just how untrue these thoughts can be. Segal separates his colors into three different tones. On the outset you have Moose and his pastoral world of greens, browns, and soft watery blues. Bird, and later his companions, is a bright spot against this mild backdrop. His feathers are a brilliant fiery red with oranges, yellows, and the merest hint of purple on the tip of his tail. Third, there are the threatening grays and blacks that accompany dangerous nighttime scenes or the fire charred landscapes. How these three elements work together in tandem with the storyline is what makes this book both faithful to its own plot and kid-friendly.
You can only get so far on pretty hues and tones, of course. That's where the characters of Moose and Bird come into play. Moose is probably the more expressive of the two. At the story's beginning his most significant emotion is that of mild disinterest in the world around him. As the story continues, however, he displays shock, disgust, delight, fear, and (most impressively) a kind of heartfelt yearning and despair. Bird hasn't as many facial expressions, but then this is not "The Lonely Bird" we're talking about but "The Lonely Moose". Moose is the real hero here, and Bird the fellow who gives his friend the desire to break out of his shell and make a friend.
Altogether, it's a soft sweet story with a lovely little message at its core. One of the nicest children's picture books to come out, and one of the first titles you should think of when someone asks you to recommend a story about friends. A book deserving of love.
September 15, 2014
There is something quite lovely, heartbreakingly lovely and almost fragile, about this book.
The story itself was good. I've read better and more well-written stories, but this story was strangely haunting. And the illustrations were fun and in a marked style. They were good. Again, I've seen other illustrations that were better done or that I've like better, but these, like the story were strangely haunting.
Put the story and illustrations together, and you have something that is so much larger than its parts. I can't really tell you why I loved this book, but I did love this book. So much.
The story itself was good. I've read better and more well-written stories, but this story was strangely haunting. And the illustrations were fun and in a marked style. They were good. Again, I've seen other illustrations that were better done or that I've like better, but these, like the story were strangely haunting.
Put the story and illustrations together, and you have something that is so much larger than its parts. I can't really tell you why I loved this book, but I did love this book. So much.
November 14, 2008
This is a lovely story about solitude, loneliness, altruism, and friendship. The illustrations are colorful, and beautiful too. The moose and the bird are very appealing and animal lovers will love this book, as will children who value friendship and those who understand loneliness.
July 20, 2022
Moose’s solitary existence is interrupted when he rescues a bird that cannot fly.
Like the rest of his species, Moose lives alone. Then one day a bird crashes into the pond. He scoops it out, but the bird is unable to fly away. Moose shelters it during the night, and the two become friends over the following weeks.
Then disaster strikes, and the two become separated while fleeing a forest fire. Moose is once again alone, but now he is lonely. He misses bird.
Bird
This is a simple story of kindness and companionship. It also shows how one’s life can unexpectedly change out of the blue.
I appreciated that the moose in this story, aside from talking, was portrayed fairly accurately although Moose doesn’t shed and regrow his antlers. Moose are solitary and do love to eat aquatic plants.
This book contains a forest fire, which is frighteningly relevant.
Like the rest of his species, Moose lives alone. Then one day a bird crashes into the pond. He scoops it out, but the bird is unable to fly away. Moose shelters it during the night, and the two become friends over the following weeks.
Then disaster strikes, and the two become separated while fleeing a forest fire. Moose is once again alone, but now he is lonely. He misses bird.
Bird
This is a simple story of kindness and companionship. It also shows how one’s life can unexpectedly change out of the blue.
I appreciated that the moose in this story, aside from talking, was portrayed fairly accurately although Moose doesn’t shed and regrow his antlers. Moose are solitary and do love to eat aquatic plants.
This book contains a forest fire, which is frighteningly relevant.
March 26, 2019
Moose isn't really very lonely, he's just alone. Until he makes friends with a bird who can't fly. Until bird can fly, and Moose discovers he is kind of lonely. A sweet picture book about friendship.
September 26, 2019
A very sweet story with simple, cute illustrations. I love the colorful birds at the end!
February 14, 2020
3.5 star rating
December 4, 2010
I would recommend this book to 5th graders. It is about a moose that didn't have any friends until he met Mr. Bird. He and Mr. Bird became good friends. They even shared their lunch and bathed together. After a fire, the moose was left lonely and sad because he couldn't find Mr. Bird. A whole year passed and Mr. Bird returned with many friends. This book illustrate text in various ways, including font size and order and position of words. I would use this book to encourage students to stay positive despite what they may be going through because things are not always what they seem.
September 30, 2014
This is a sweet tale of friendship between two very different animals. The narrative is short and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish, so it would likely to appeal to children in a wide range of ages. The story really engages the reader and pulls at a lot of conflicting emotions throughout.
Our girls especially enjoyed the comical expressions on the moose's face and they thought the ending was silly, but fun. We enjoyed reading this book together.
Our girls especially enjoyed the comical expressions on the moose's face and they thought the ending was silly, but fun. We enjoyed reading this book together.
July 15, 2013
This might be my favorite moose illustration next to Oliver Jeffers’ from This Moose Belongs to Me. Segal writes about a solitary moose, roaming and eating, who comes across an injured bird he decides to help. Despite their different personalities and natures, they become friends. Cute friendship story. School-aged storytime. Could group with City Dog Country Frog for another friendship tale.
September 13, 2011
This is a very sweet book with a positive message: "you can never have too many friends". Segal's watercolor illustrations are whimsical and they reinforce the text without distracting from the story.
April 29, 2013
This is a good book about a moose that saves a bird and as their dad together evolve they create a friendship. It would be a good book to have in the classroom so the kids would learn about friendship. I would recommend it for any elementary aged kids.
December 2, 2013
Moose and Bird is a sweet story of friendship. This book would be a great story to read and discuss to strengthen classroom community. This book could serve as a mentor text to teach character building during creative writing.
June 18, 2008
The illustrations are created using water colors. The message in the story is that you can never have too many friends.
October 21, 2008
This is my favorite picture book that isn't from my own childhoood. It is sweet and funny with beautiful illustrations.
September 21, 2009
Illustrations were nice, but the story was kind of boring.
Read
December 10, 2009"moose, forest fire, bird, friends"
June 23, 2010
A sweet story about friendship.
July 12, 2010
After reading Mo Willem's recent frog and dog picture book, I found a smiliar friendship theme in this picture book except the bird returns after winter and brings FRIENDS! A cute ending!
November 24, 2010
A wonderful story of a friendship between a moose and a bird.
January 3, 2012
A lonely moose rescues a bird that cannot fly, and in turn the bird ends up saving the moose from its solitary existence.
October 4, 2012
40 months
February 8, 2015
A beautifully simple and a delightful book with similarly incredible illustrations.
October 15, 2015
Without friends, you don't know what you're missing. Once you've had good ones, you can't live without them!
April 4, 2018
I took out this book solely for the fact that it was about a moose. I wasn't disappointed. The moose makes friends with a bird and then experiences loss. All works out in the end, though.
February 4, 2019
I like this book because it is centered around a unique friendship between a moose and a bird. These two creatures are entirely different, yet they help each other and care about each other. This book shows that not all friendships look the same.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews