Children - Nature, Lifestyles Around the World, Children - Animals

A Moose for Jessica

Name: A Moose for Jessica
Author: Pat A. Wakefield
ISBN: 9780140361346

by Pat A. Wakefield, Larry Carrara, Larry Carrara (Photographer)

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Synopsis

Describes the behavior of a wild bull moose who moved onto a farm in Vermont and developed an attachment for one of the cows there.

Publishers Weekly

An engrossing account of the 76-day visit of a moose to the Carrara farm, but one that occasionally is bogged down by a detail-laden text. One day last fall the Carraras spotted a moose on their property. Ignoring them, the moose was in search of a mate. He chose Jessica, one of their cows, and lingered at the farm for a couple of months before shedding his antlers and heading off to his winter location. Over 70,000 people came to the Carrara farm to see the lovers, who were the focus of national media attention. This true story includes general information about the eating, sleeping, mating and wanderings of the moose, but it could have been a little more taut in the telling; the impact of the tale is diluted. However, this remains an entertaining story of a real romance between a Vermont family and a surprising autumn visitor. All ages. (October)

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

School Library Journal

Gr 2-6 One October morning in 1986 a bull moose wandered out of the Vermont woods into a pasture where three beef cattle browsed. Two cows ran off immediately while the third stood her ground. Her reward was, for the next 76 days, the constant and thorough attention bestowed on her by the gentle but confused moose. The saga of the ``love-sick moose'' (as he was to be termed by national and international press) is well told in this photographic essay. The text weaves the natural history of moose into the story of the unusual ``courtship'' between species. It also tells the story of the people who became involved: the visited farmer's support and defense of the wild animal and the human response to the rare event. The text, based on the farmer's log, is supplemented by over 50 quality, full-color photographs. A book that is funny and touching, and full of reverence for nature. Catherine Wood, Shelburne Museum, Vt.