Duck Duck Moose

by Dave Horowitz

An unlikely trio heads south for the winter!

Moose loves the Great North Woods because they're nice and cold, his buddy Bear lives there, and the pancakes are top-notch. He doesn't usually go south for the winter, but with Bear off hibernating and the Pancake Hut closing until spring, he figures he might as well take the great schlep with Duck and Other Duck. The trio ends up in the exotic land of Florida and Moose is forever dazzled.

Dave Horowitz brings to life the joy of discovering a place completely unlike home - as well as the thrills of bringing a little bit of vacation back home with you!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Travel, Storytime, Fiction

Paperback

First published October 29, 2009

About the author

My name is dave horowitz. I grew up in Smithtown, New York in the 1970s. Instead of paying attention in school I drew pictures of my teachers. Then I went to a famous art college in Rhode Island and studied coloring.

In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.

Then I climbed rocks.

I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.

I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…

Reviews

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. I thought the humor might appeal to parents more than kids, but haven't tried reading it to kids. Lots of the humor is in the illustrations (e.g. New Hampshire License Plate "Live Free or Die 2-DUX". Also could tie into geography as they travel through states. You could teach Author's note: "All characters and events in theis book are fictional. Any resemblance to the family road trips the author was forced to go on as a child is purely coincidental--especially page 17!" This is particularly funny since pages are unnumbered, but if you count page 17 is the one "'Hey!' said Moose. 'I've got to pee!'" I guess an occasional parent might object, but the kids will think it's funny. I found this on Woodbury Library - New books shelf. I may need to check-out other Dave Horowitz books.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book! We actually read it three times in a row because it was so much fun!

Moose doesn't want to be lonely in the winter, so he hitches a ride with his two duck friends to go south to Florida. This book has great examples of a variety of fonting to make the pages visually interesting and exciting. Love the "voices" of the characters--very cute.

Character: How does Moose change in this story?

[susan nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

use with map of east coast and cars for preschoolers to move along as they travel to FL

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two ducks are getting ready to head south to Florida for the winter and invite their friend moose. Moose doesn't want to go, he wants to eat pancakes, but finding no pancakes or anyone to eat them with, he decides to travel with the ducks. Anyone who has ever taken a road trip before will enjoy the humor in the text and the bold, colorful illustrations. Horowitz also does a good job of showing the world that there is more to Florida than Disney World! My only problem is that I cannot share the book with my preschool storytime group: the inclusion of peeing and nose-picking just won't go over with all of the parents. Duck, Duck, Moose will be proudly displayed on our library shelves however, and I will be sharing it with my own kids!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and silly story about a moose who goes to Florida for the winter with his duck friends. With older kids you'll definitely want to make the connections of ducks migrating south and maybe even pull out a map and discuss their route (covered in the book on p. 17). The Author's note also has some good information. The humor may be more aimed to the adults than the kids, but the pictures are fabulous (lots of humor there!) and kids will enjoy this one!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's getting colder in New Hampshire, and two ducks decide to go south for the winter. After thoughtful consideration, Moose decides to join them. This fun filled story is full of laughs as an unlikely trio experience the joys of road tripping, and spending their winter together in the sunshine state.

[Kate]

Duck Duck Moose is a simple but great story for preschool and upper elementary students. It would be great to use when talking about vacations. This would be a great story to read and have students share about any vacations their families take. The illustrations use bright colors that fill the pages. There are lots of details on each page.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great New Hampshire fun! Gotta try this with my preschool story time.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite short and there were some things that Kindergarten maybe didn't get as jokes.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goofy, silly fun celebrating road trips and the joy of occasionally stepping outside and trying something new.

[Gracie Mireles · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loved it

[Y.Poston]

funny

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A moose migrates south with two ducks for the winter.

This picture book introduces the concepts of hibernation and migration.

[Tanika · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is about a moose named Moose and how he tried to get pancakes. One day in the great North Woods Moose had a bad craving for pancakes; there was nothing he wanted more. Moose did not want to go it alone he wanted to share, so Moose went around to talk to his woodland friends. He came across his friends the Ducks and Moose asked them to go with him to get some pancakes, but they had to decline for it was turning winter and they were packing up to head south. To be nice they asked if he wanted to go but all Moose wanted was the pancakes. So Moose went to his friend Mr. Bear’s house but it was too late he was already hibernating. So sadly Moose made his way to the pancake hut and even they were closed for the winter. Moose had a bright idea to accept the duck’s offer and go to Florida. So off they go and Moose ends up having the best time of his life he long forgot about the pancakes, but on their last day the ducks decide to surprise Moose with pancakes. Moose loves them he says they are the best he ever had. Unaware that it was the last day of summer Moose began to cry for he did not want to go home yet but when they finally got there he knew that there was no place like home. It was hard to understand the moral of this story but I guess it was just a funny story for the children to read.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two ducks are getting ready to head south to Florida for the winter and invite their friend moose. Moose doesn't want to go, he wants to eat pancakes, but finding no pancakes or anyone to eat them with, he decides to travel with the ducks. Anyone who has ever taken a road trip before will enjoy the humor in the text and the bold, colorful illustrations. Horowitz also does a good job of showing the world that there is more to Florida than Disney World! My only problem is that I cannot share the book with my preschool storytime group: the inclusion of peeing and nose-picking just won't go over with all of the parents. Duck, Duck, Moose will be proudly displayed on our library shelves however, and I will be sharing it with my own kids!

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unlikely trio heads south for the winter! Moose loves the Great North Woods because they're nice and cold, his buddy Bear lives there, and the pancakes are top-notch. He doesn't usually go south for the winter, but with Bear off hibernating and the Pancake Hut closing until spring, he figures he might as well take the great schlep with Duck and Other Duck. The trio ends up in the exotic land of Florida and Moose is forever dazzled. Dave Horowitz brings to life the joy of discovering a place completely unlike home'as well as the thrills of bringing a little bit of vacation back home with you!

NOTE: This would be a good book to add to a story bag kit.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duck and Other Duck are heading to Florida for the winter, and their friend Moose does not want to join them. But then Bear heads off to hibernate, and Moose's favorite restaurant closes for the winter. Looks like his life will be pretty boring in the Great North Woods, so Moose decides to tag along with the Ducks to Florida. Will he be able to endure the hot weather and too much sunshine? Moose has a few surprises in store for him!

The illustrations and graphics in this picture book are drawn like a rather sloppy comic book, and the story has some limitations.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of migration—2 ducks get ready to head South for the winter and invite Moose to go with them. He initially refuses, but when he finds out that everything else is closed for the winter, he joins them. They spend the winter months in Florida, and when it is time to go back, Moose is distressed! He ends up creating his own “Florida” back at their home in the north. The pictures are colorful and vibrant and the characters are easy to connect with and are likeable. A great read for ECE or K!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two ducks need to go South and Moose wants to go out for pancakes. Moose can't find anyone to join him and then the pancake house is closed for the winter so he decides to go South with the Ducks. Moose is rather childish among the threesome while they are down South. The three friends have some adventures down South and the pictures show the friends hanging out together. Finally it is time to go back home and Moose doesn't want to leave now. When they arrive home, Moose brought home some of the South with him. I enjoyed the pictures but I wasn't too thrilled with the storyline.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple book, but when I read it to my class they laughed and laughed and laughed. My voice for the moose sounded like he wasn't that bright, I think. They loved it when the Moose says he has to pee. They loved it when on page he is seen picking his nose. It's fun and silly and pretty good entertainment if you ask me!

I noticed, when I read it again, that there are things the kids missed too. I put it in my library corner and whoever has it during DEAR times ends up sitting there snickering away. I love it when that happens!

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very Daniel Pinkwaterish book--complete with a pancake obsessed moose--and has its funny moments. However:

1)Peeing and nose picking are funny to pre-adolescent boys, but I don't think either joke was needed here.

2)The trip south shows "Washington DC" seemingly in Pennsylvania. Funny thing that--I always thought it was just across the river from me here in Virginia! Did someone change the borders?

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this one up because I love moose and ducks, and I thought my son might like it. Moose loves pancakes and wants to get some with his friend Bear but he is hibernating. So he asks Duck and Other Duck, but they are going south for the winter. So he tags along for the road trip. He has so much fun in Florida that when he gets back to the North, he recreates it. Recommended for ages 1-6, 2 stars.

[Laura Mincey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck Duck Moose is an excellent story that provides humorous overtones, as well as science facts reguarding migration. Duck Duck and Moose live in the Great North Woods--not wanting to face the brutally cold winter, the three animal friends migrate down to Flordia where the weather is warm. Duck Duck Moose follows the journey of the friends to Flordia and back, highlighting cold and warm weather conditions using humor. This would be a great read when teaching young students about migration.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cheesy book, but the illustrations are great (with some hidden jokes in them about the places and the characters). My kids love it. Funny story of 2 ducks migrating south for the winter (in a car) and their friend moose who decides to tag along. I liked the font changes for some things (transitions taking up a whole page, being hand-drawn). There's no "point" or "morale" or anything like that to the story, just a cute book, well illustrated and funny.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shades of every single road trip I ever took as a kid. Not admitting to anything. Moose doesn't want to be left behind when the ducks go south for the winter. This road trip looks terribly familiar as they all head to Florida (ok, so my family drove down from Wisconsin. Substitute "Chicago" for "New York" in this book and you'll get the idea.

Funny story with a cute ending. I don't think Moose will ever be the same. Not sure the ducks will either...

[Matt Vagts]

Picture book #19
This book is about two ducks and a moose who are friends. They live in New Hampshire and it is getting cold so the ducks are getting ready to go to Florida. Moose doesn't want to go but decides he will be bored with nothing else to do so he goes. The whole way there he is bored and uninterested in the trip. Once they get to Florida they have a blast and when it is time to come home moose doesn't want to leave so he "brings" Florida back with him.

[Casandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite picture book...

[Heather Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! I plan on adding this to my library. Could be incorporated in many lessons in grades k-2. Use for discussion about travel around week-long holidays such as spring break. Learning about hibernation/migration in science. And since quite a few states are mentioned, it can easily be incorporated in a SS unit.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this was hilarious. Some was not quite my kind of humor. But there was a lot to see in the pictures, making it great for a lap-read or read-alone. The story itself and the fun characters would make a fun preschool storytime (with possible editing!) or school-age storytime. I enjoyed the various levels of humor (characters, story, "symbolism" to life, illustrations). Overall: fun.

[Createpei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME!

My daughter (grade 2) brought it home from school and we devoured it in about 10 minutes... then we shared it with mommy and then we read it again.

It is funny and the illustrations are funny and very well done.

I would HIGHLY recommend this to other parents for their children.