Z Is for Moose: 08/08/15

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham is another alphabet book that tries to spice things up through a gimmick. Here, it's a play, run by Zebra and interrupted by the impatient and rude Moose.

Many of the reviews for this book are positive. The book plays with expectations of what letter stands for what. It breaks the fourth wall as Moose repeatedly speaks and mugs to the audience. And then there's the disappointment Moose understandably feels when Mouse is picked for M.

But let's look at things differently. Where does Zebra ever say Moose has been picked for M? Is there a moment — an aside to the audience — that explains that Moose has been part of the dress rehearsal? No.

Instead, there's just the expectation based on Moose's poor behavior that he will be / should be standing in for letter M. He messes up Zebra's alphabet play (sure, it's a rather dull one, but still—) and at the end, Zebra has to capitulate to this stupid Moose's demands all in the name of "friendship." Sorry but, I'm not convinced that Moose is a true friend of Zebra.

Three stars

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