By Sue Farrell Holler & Jennifer Faria
The creators of Raven, Rabbit, Deer are back with another thoughtful tale of a young boy and his grandfather taking a walk through the woods and all the creatures and plants they encounter.
Walking as “quiet as mice and rabbits and deer” they come upon fresh moose droppings and set out to find the moose itself. They discover the branches where the moose ate breakfast, greet a chipmunk and goose, and inspect rosehips and pussy willows, but the moose is nowhere to be found. Finally, after accepting that they will have to try again next time, the boy and his grandfather head home… only to be met with a big surprise.
In Finding Moose, Governor General’s Award-nominated author Sue Farrell Holler gives us a glimpse into the wondrous world of nature through the eyes of a curious child. Grandpa quietly encourages this curiosity while offering answers and further lessons where he can. Illustrator Jennifer Faria draws us in with gentle paintings that make us want to reach out and touch the scenery.
“Acrylic and colored pencil artwork by debut illustrator Faria (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) startles with rich, startling winter sunset hues…Holler’s story gains from the interplay of dimensions: the affectionate relationship between the boy and his grandfather, the growing vocabulary they share, and their slow-paced appreciation of the natural world.”—Publishers Weekly *Starred Review* for Raven, Rabbit, Deer
Praise for Finding Moose
2022 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Selection
2022 Toronto Public Library First and Best Selection
2023-2024 First Nations Communities Read (FNCR) Awards Longlist
2022 The Children’s Book Council “April: Hot Off the Press” feature
Bradford Today “6 books to read to celebrate Indigenous History Month” feature
“This is a sweet tale of exploring nature with a grandparent, enriched by the grandfather’s observations and Ojibwemowin words.”—Youth Services Book Review
“Finding Moose” is a thoughtful and entertaining picture book that is especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-7—Midwest Book Review
“Charming illustrations by Jennifer Faria are painted in gentle, soft colors, and they are filled with plenty of details to keep little eyes on the pages as the story is read to them. This is a lovely story that will become a favorite at reading time.”—Portland Book Review
“[T]his joyful book reinforces the need to listen, see, and be present in the woods so that the wonders of nature can unfold. The power of loving inter-generational relationships rests at the core of this simple story… The end result is a touching story that addresses important lessons at a time when environmental change is such a pressing concern.”—Children’s Literature
“Holler’s Finding Moose is an excellent addition to any bookshelf, especially for helping young learners learn a bit of the Ojibwemowin language. Lovers of nature, exploring, and spending time with dear loved ones will enjoy this story – it is a gem for all ages.”—CM Magazine
“Children will enjoy this simple story that introduces them to some of their forest neighbours whose names are in both English and Ojibwemowin. Highly recommended.”— Simcoe.com
“For a lovely early spring walk, learning about nature and being introduced to words in Ojibwemowin, join an Anishinaabe grandfather with his grandson to see how forest life reveals itself and search for an elusive mooz.”—CanLit for LittleCanadians
“[Finding Moose] fills a niche for much needed books about the natural world for children…”—YA Books Central
