Darius reads "Moose and Magpie"My only exposure to moose has been through reruns of “Northern Exposure.” So when I read Bettina Restrepo’s picture book Moose and Magpie (Sylvan Dell, 2009) I learned a lot.

I had no idea, for example, that male moose lose their huge antlers every winter. Or that bugs, birds and mice eat the discarded antlers.

I didn’t know that moose are good swimmers and sometimes will swim up to five miles as they migrate to find a mate. (I didn’t even know moose migrated, for that matter.)

And I didn’t know that baby moose can outrun people and swim when they’re only a few days old.

All these facts, and more, are woven into the book along with a lot of puns, plays on words and some groaningly bad moose-related jokes that today’s guest reviewer, Darius, especially appreciated.

Take it away, Darius!

Our reviewer: Darius

Age: 8

I like: Playing basketball. Playing with my friends. Playing video games like “Smackdown.”

This book was about: A moose and a bird are good friends. They live by the willow tree. The bird tells lots of jokes. Moose wants to tell a joke, but can’t think of one until the end.

The best part was when: The moose gave the bird a ride on his antlers across the stream.

I laughed when: Moose finally told a joke. “Why doesn’t a moose change his long underwear in the winter? Because it’s attached to his skin.”

This book taught me: Moose have two layers of hair. The hair close to their skin is like long underwear because it keeps them warm. Their top hair helps the moose float.

I was surprised that: The book is about a moose and a bird, but there is a beaver and skunk and a raccoon in the pictures. They do funny stuff. But they don’t say anything.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the jokes the bird tells. And the boxes that have information about moose.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Moose.” “Underwear.” “Magpie.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Okay, so two moose walked into a lodge …”

You should read this book because: It tells you a lot about moose. Like that they lose their antlers every year.

Darius thinks it would be fun to be a moose because he’d like having antlers, even if they itched when they grew in. “I’d just rub my head on a tree,” he said.

Thanks, Darius!

If you’d like to learn more about Moose and Magpie, visit the Sylvan Dell Web site. It has more moose-related facts and activities for kids. There’s even an author interview.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Sherry Rogers, here is her Web site and her blog. Bettina Restrepo also has a Web site.