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Looking for a Moose
An ear-tickling, eye-teasing romp for little listeners, led by an award-winning author and illustrator.
Do you really, really want to see a moose — a long-leggy moose — a branchy-antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose? Spurred by Phyllis Root's sing-songy text and Randy Cecil's buoyant illustrations, this hunt for an elusive moose through woods, swamps, bushes, and hills is just as fun as the final surprise discovery of moose en masse. Children will laugh at the running visual joke — what is that little dog looking at? — and ask for repeated reads of this satisfying tale.
Do you really, really want to see a moose — a long-leggy moose — a branchy-antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose? Spurred by Phyllis Root's sing-songy text and Randy Cecil's buoyant illustrations, this hunt for an elusive moose through woods, swamps, bushes, and hills is just as fun as the final surprise discovery of moose en masse. Children will laugh at the running visual joke — what is that little dog looking at? — and ask for repeated reads of this satisfying tale.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2006
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Root
108 books72 followers"Picture books are performances," says Phyllis Root, quoting some sage advice she once received. "They're performances that involve a child--something both of you do. And once I started thinking of them that way, I started getting much looser about making up words and playing around with rhythm."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 20, 2026
"We've never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever seen a moose. And we really, really, really, really want to see a moose."In this story, a group of children set off to find a moose.
They set off into the forest, then try a swamp, they search through the bushes and so on.
....NO MOOSE! They keep on going - with one thought circling their heads - will they ever find a moose??
"We look and we look but it's just no use. We don't see any long-leggy moose."
My dream is to see a moose in the wild. With this book, I'm preparing and sculpting my child's dreams to mirror my own... like any good parent would.
Joking aside, this was a ridiculously fun book - full of rhyming nonsense words that made each page feel new.
I liked how there would always be a moose in the habitat that the kids searched...whether it be the antlers or the legs or the bulgy-nose.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this one!
December 9, 2014
Well I love moose(n) many much moosen (If you are fan of Comedian Brian Reagan you will understand the moosen reference-and yes I know moose is plural and singular noun!). I am always looking for moose(n). This summer I have seen 4 moose(n)One bull in the Grand Tetons, One baby in Utah up Big Cotton Wood Canyon outside of Salt Lake City and Two, (a boy and girl) up in a meadow 10 miles East of Heber City Utah know as Lake Creek in the Uinta National Forest. This book is great with all the rhymey words and the great onomatopoeia's like "squeech squooh!" and "scritch scrath" and "trip trop" and going on a moose hunt is always fun! Fun book maybe to have the kids repeat the words would be fun!!
January 26, 2022
This book has a lot of good stuff - it's interactive, it encourages observation skills, counting skills are practiced, and it's an opportunity to teach the English rule about the singular and plural form of moose! All of my K and 1st grade classes were engaged with this one.
February 3, 2016
A group of kids are moose hunting. Will they be successful in tracking down the elusive creature??
It was only as I was reading this that it occurred to me that it's by the author of one of our favorites, Flip, Flap, Fly!, but after I realized that it became pretty obvious. It has the same kind of fun rhythm and wordplay and feeling of exploring and discovering things outside. The Boy [2.5] really likes finding the moose on all the pages where he's/they're hiding, and he has asked for this one very regularly since we brought it home. (The illustrations are great, though I will say that the artist in me questions the design of the moose, mostly in the facial region, but I can go along with it all right.)
It was only as I was reading this that it occurred to me that it's by the author of one of our favorites, Flip, Flap, Fly!, but after I realized that it became pretty obvious. It has the same kind of fun rhythm and wordplay and feeling of exploring and discovering things outside. The Boy [2.5] really likes finding the moose on all the pages where he's/they're hiding, and he has asked for this one very regularly since we brought it home. (The illustrations are great, though I will say that the artist in me questions the design of the moose, mostly in the facial region, but I can go along with it all right.)
April 26, 2016
Fun with playful language and pictures.
November 15, 2020
Book title: "Looking for a Moose"
Author/Illustrator: Phyllis Root (author), Randy Cecil (illustrator)
Reading level: LG
Book level: 1.6
Book summary: A group of a children search through the woods looking for a moose. Along the way, they push through the bushes, swamps, and hillsides searching for the majestic animal.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait:
Word Choice - The writing uses traits such as rhyming and repetition. For example, "We've never, ever, ever, ever, ever seen a moose. And we really, really, really, really want to see a moose." The author also uses creative words to describe the setting. As the children encounter a swamp on their adventure, the text reads "We wade in the swamp - squeech squooch! Squeech squooch! The sloppy-gloppy, lily-loppy, slurpy-glurpy swamp." This word choice is unique and allows the reader to envision the sounds and smell of an icky swamp as they read the story.
Other suggestion:
An extension activity in the classroom could be for students to come up with words that describe how things look and feel. For example, allow students to come up with their own descriptive words for mud, play-dough, ice cream, or other textured items they are familiar with. Allow students to create their own onomatopoeic words.
Author/Illustrator: Phyllis Root (author), Randy Cecil (illustrator)
Reading level: LG
Book level: 1.6
Book summary: A group of a children search through the woods looking for a moose. Along the way, they push through the bushes, swamps, and hillsides searching for the majestic animal.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait:
Word Choice - The writing uses traits such as rhyming and repetition. For example, "We've never, ever, ever, ever, ever seen a moose. And we really, really, really, really want to see a moose." The author also uses creative words to describe the setting. As the children encounter a swamp on their adventure, the text reads "We wade in the swamp - squeech squooch! Squeech squooch! The sloppy-gloppy, lily-loppy, slurpy-glurpy swamp." This word choice is unique and allows the reader to envision the sounds and smell of an icky swamp as they read the story.
Other suggestion:
An extension activity in the classroom could be for students to come up with words that describe how things look and feel. For example, allow students to come up with their own descriptive words for mud, play-dough, ice cream, or other textured items they are familiar with. Allow students to create their own onomatopoeic words.
July 26, 2019
Please note that this review is written for my use as a librarian and may not appeal directly to readers. Please review at your own risk.
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for lower grades, or readers in Kindergarten to 3rd grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 0.5 AR points.
Warning: I am extremely biased here. The moose is my favorite animal. I thought this was so cute! It’s a grand adventure to find a Moose that takes the children through all types of habitats. Just adorable.
Caution Notes*:
None
Recommended for:
Kids who love animals, the outdoors, and adventures.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
Four kids go on an adventure to find and see a Moose. They look all over and can’t find one, until the moose decide to reveal themselves to the kids.
*Caution notes are not to say, don’t read the book. I only include these so that those individuals who have particular themes they do not like to read about or are not ready for their kids to read about are aware. I do not support censoring. :)
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for lower grades, or readers in Kindergarten to 3rd grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 0.5 AR points.
Warning: I am extremely biased here. The moose is my favorite animal. I thought this was so cute! It’s a grand adventure to find a Moose that takes the children through all types of habitats. Just adorable.
Caution Notes*:
None
Recommended for:
Kids who love animals, the outdoors, and adventures.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
Four kids go on an adventure to find and see a Moose. They look all over and can’t find one, until the moose decide to reveal themselves to the kids.
*Caution notes are not to say, don’t read the book. I only include these so that those individuals who have particular themes they do not like to read about or are not ready for their kids to read about are aware. I do not support censoring. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2017
Looking for a Moose / written by Phyllis Root; illustrated by Randy Cecil -- Cambridge, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, c2006. (36 pages)
SUMMARY: Four children set off into the woods to find a long-leggy, branchy antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose! (bookjacket)
REVIEW: I remember this book from when it first came out...the best part is finding the moose....it is not in every picture, but the moose is hidden in a few of the pictures...his legs, his back, his antlers, his nose...until the children find the whole moose.
The writing is different producing sounds as you read....but I got a little tired reading all the words through the narrative -- "We was in the swamp - squeech squooch! squeech squooch! - the sloppy-gloppy, lily-loppy, slurpy-glurpy swamp."
The four children are eager to look for a moose and with each change of scenery they prepare by adding or removing items along the way (hats, socks, packs, etc).
FURTHER FUN: 1) draw new pictures of how a moose can hide in plain sight. 2) talk about what you would need to pack to go on a hike into the woods
SUMMARY: Four children set off into the woods to find a long-leggy, branchy antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose! (bookjacket)
REVIEW: I remember this book from when it first came out...the best part is finding the moose....it is not in every picture, but the moose is hidden in a few of the pictures...his legs, his back, his antlers, his nose...until the children find the whole moose.
The writing is different producing sounds as you read....but I got a little tired reading all the words through the narrative -- "We was in the swamp - squeech squooch! squeech squooch! - the sloppy-gloppy, lily-loppy, slurpy-glurpy swamp."
The four children are eager to look for a moose and with each change of scenery they prepare by adding or removing items along the way (hats, socks, packs, etc).
FURTHER FUN: 1) draw new pictures of how a moose can hide in plain sight. 2) talk about what you would need to pack to go on a hike into the woods
June 16, 2023
Cute little story about a bunch of kids (and a dog) looking for moose. Several other wild critters make repeat appearances. There's plenty to explore, look at, and keep track of. There's a fun twist to the story which I won't give away, and I like that the illustrations are inclusive: the moose searchers aren't all little white boys, yay!
The storytelling is very similar to We're Going on a Bear Hunt, with the TROMP STOMP! TROMP STOMP! and the scritch scratch! scritch scratch! But overall I feel like something is missing to make this book truly special. It's good and worth a read or five, but it's not great and I personally I wouldn't spend money on it.
The storytelling is very similar to We're Going on a Bear Hunt, with the TROMP STOMP! TROMP STOMP! and the scritch scratch! scritch scratch! But overall I feel like something is missing to make this book truly special. It's good and worth a read or five, but it's not great and I personally I wouldn't spend money on it.
April 21, 2019
A group of friends search high and low to find a moose. Can they find one in the water? Might they find one in the bushes? The moose hunt seems destined to fail until they find the right habitat where there are lots and lots of moose! The search ends with success after all.
The words are sibilant and silly and lead the moose hunters on a wild chase that is super fun to follow! This is a book that will be a joy to read aloud again and again and that will be requested over and over just for the sheer fun of the words. The artwork is colorful and kooky. This story is a winner!
The words are sibilant and silly and lead the moose hunters on a wild chase that is super fun to follow! This is a book that will be a joy to read aloud again and again and that will be requested over and over just for the sheer fun of the words. The artwork is colorful and kooky. This story is a winner!
July 19, 2019
I think this is a very fun book. The rhythm of the text is fun to read aloud, as are all the onomatopoeia words in the story. I read this book to groups of two-year olds and their parents. It was a little long for this age group, perhaps, but some of the kids really enjoyed it. My only complaint would be that the "bulgy" noses of the moose look a little strange, which makes them hard to guess when that is all you see.
September 14, 2022
This is a fall seasonal variation on the classic Going on a Lion Hunt story. The ending is more chill, with a large herd of moose, and no frantic running away. I think this make a good middle story for a story time. I enjoy reading the text aloud and the moose sounds were fun.
The Kindergarten class I read enjoyed spotting the Moose when the kids in the books couldn't find them.
The Kindergarten class I read enjoyed spotting the Moose when the kids in the books couldn't find them.
May 23, 2023
One child asks three others if they'd ever seen a moose. None had but they "really, really, really, really want to see a moose." As they search in different places for a moose, the reader can search too, and chances are that the reader will see what the children in the story are missing. Fun word play and illustrations.
August 19, 2025
What a sweet little book, with gently appealing illustrations and a fun-to-read-out-loud text. Having just finished "The Penderwicks at Point Mouette" which ended with a moose search, it seemed only natural to take this one home as it came across my desk at the library. I only wish I could have found the moose on every page.
January 7, 2026
This is a silly book that would be fun to read aloud with children, with humor and repetition and fun words and a story that involves searching and success.
The copy I read is a former library book that I found at a thrift store, but I see that the paperback and ebook editions aren't very expensive new.
The copy I read is a former library book that I found at a thrift store, but I see that the paperback and ebook editions aren't very expensive new.
November 20, 2019
Lots of onomatopoeia and fun repetition in this story of 4 children looking everywhere for a moose. Be sure to look closely at the illustrations as a few of them show moose hiding in the background. Humorous with lots of opportunity for interaction, this is a great group read aloud!
February 9, 2020
This has strong word-play & rhythm, and silly but apt illustrations. Some families will love to read it aloud over and over, getting all dramatic. I got a kick out of it, but not quite enough to give it four stars.
May 24, 2020
This book reminded me a little of "Going on a Bear Hunt". It is a cute book about kids searching for Moose. Would be a good book to read little kids before taking a visit to the Northern states in the US.
May 28, 2017
Moose are our favorite. Making funny sounds while finding them is also a new favorite of ours. The lyrical language in this book is playful and smart.
June 14, 2017
A fun little read. Can get the idea that moose can mean one moose or multiple moose.
October 9, 2017
Kids go out looking for a moose. Lots of sounds.
They finally find, not just 1 moose, but a bunch.
They finally find, not just 1 moose, but a bunch.
October 16, 2017
I liked all the word sounds in the story. It's fun to read aloud.
August 31, 2018
If a WIGGLE BREAK is in order, put your hands on this book. There's word fun to go along with the actions. You may have to "do it again"!
January 8, 2020
Cute, cute, cute! Great silly words.
June 29, 2020
This book definitely works better as a read-aloud versus reading silently to one's self
September 17, 2020
A group of children look for moose, and keep missing them...until they are up on top of a hill and finally see one.
A silly read aloud with a lot of tongue-twisters.
A silly read aloud with a lot of tongue-twisters.
October 14, 2021
I just really wanted this book to be a song.. Like going on a bear hunt, maybe.
Fun finding the Moose hiding on some of the pages!
Fun finding the Moose hiding on some of the pages!
April 9, 2022
A group of children set off into the forest in search of a moose.
July 25, 2022
Bought in at Valley Books in Jackson, Wyoming after we failed to ever see a moose while in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
February 2, 2023
Kids will have fun looking for a moose. They’ll probably also enjoy the creative wording.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews