The Moose with Loose Poops by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrated By: Penelope Neal
Geared Towards: Ages 2-7
Published By: The Hippocratic Press
Publication Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9753516-5-9
Show me one person who says they don't find their curiosity piqued by the title of this book, and I'll show you a liar! Seriously, a few weeks back I had told myself I was going to stop accepting submissions for review for a few days because I had a lot going on. I wanted to catch up on the books I had in que, meanwhile I wanted to be sure I didn't over commit. Well, naturally, as soon as made this promise to myself this review request came through. The title was hilarious. So, I had myself a good belly shaking laugh, and then I broke my rule for the day by accepting the request. What a great decision that was! :P
Any parent/teacher/guardian knows that being sick can be very traumatic and scary for a young child. How to explain that everything they are experiencing is completely normal and healthy, in terms the child will understand , can often times be difficult because you don't want to upset the child anymore. The publishers at Hippocratic Press have picked up on this, and so was born the
Dr. Hippo Series.
The Moose with Loose Poops is the first book that I've had the chance to read for myself though I'd love to check out the other four (
Peeper Has a Fever, Katie Caught a Cold, The Little Elephant with the Big Earache, and
Sadie's Sore Throat- all by Cowan
) that were featured on the book jacket.
Authored by board-certified pediatrician, Charlotte Cowan, M.D., the story of
The Moose with Loose Poops guides readers through the ups and downs of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) which causes upset tummies, vomitting, and diarrhea. Both children and parents alike can use reassurance when it comes to these things, and Cowan's story does a brilliant job of offering such in a priceless way.
Miles the Moose wants to go camping with his dad. But when Miles doesn't eat much and complains of a tummy ache Mom knows something's up. Her suspicions are confirmed when a frightened Miles throws up. Mom reassures Miles that what he's experiencing is perfectly normal. But as any good mom would do, she says camping is off for the time being. Mom says a body needs plenty of rest while it gets better, so it's home to bed for Miles. Dr Hippocrates backs mom's call to cancel the camping trip, and also recommends Miles drink lots of fluids.
Later when Miles wakes up he's feeling good as new. Mom knows though that the feeling is momentary at best. His troubled tummy has yet to dispell whatever germs have caused the upset in the first place, but it's not long before that all changes. Miles complains to his dad about another tummy ache, a different feeling one this time, and dad knows what to expect. He hurries them to the bathroom in time for Miles to make it to the potty. Feeling almost immediately better, Miles, as any capricious child would do, quickly rushes off to tell the world about his experience in the bathroom.
Cowan perfectly captures the innocence and pure wonder of a young child in Miles. The story is straightforward but not without a healthy dose of humor. Who isn't going to laugh a sympathetic and understanding laugh at, "A waterfall's coming out of my bottom!"? Only someone in tune with a child can write something so comical and yet hit the nail exactly on the head as far as a child's reactions and reasoning are concerned.
The Moose with Loose Poops is a book that not only teaches and comforts. It's a book that inspires a great deal of laughing. Children and adults alike will enjoy following Miles' adventure from feeling yucky to feeling great again.
Additionally, parents will be happy to know that there's even a little laminated guide included in the back of the book just for them. The guide,
Getting Through Gastroenteritis, helps educate parents on how to determine if their child is suffering from gastroenteritis and if so how to treat it. There's also a handy chart detailing when, regarding what symptoms the child has, a parent should contact the doctor. All in all, a very thorough little guide that I think makes this book the complete package.
OUR RATING: 5 hearts
Sunday is Dr. Seuss' birthday. So, if you don't already have plans, why not come out and join the NEA 's Read Across America birthday celebration?!
Designed and illustrated by Roz Streeten, the Rosie Flo coloring books are fantastic! If you have a young girl in your life who enjoys sketching, drawing, coloring, or painting you simply must buy her these books. Each book is filled with nothing but black line drawings of clever little outfits. It's up the child (or adult as it may be) to draw in the heads, legs, and arms. Then you color in the whole thing. 
children age 8 and up, I think kids as young as 5 will really enjoy them as well. You don't have to be highly skilled in the work of art to have a blast with these totally inventive books. It's almost like it's a reverse take on paper dolls. Instead of putting the clothes on the bodies, you're putting the bodies in the clothes.
Flo's coloring book, you'll find vintage gowns, pjs, sun dresses, and many others. In Rosie Flo's Garden all of the outfits and costumes take on a garden feel. There are wood fairies, garden gnomes, tea party dresses, dresses inspired by vegetation and even bugs. In Rosie Flo's Animals all of the outfits take on a very animal inspired feel. There are animal prints, spider web dresses, bee hive dresses, and more. Tons of creativity went in to designing the dresses and outfits in these three books. It's amazing! Something else really fun about this line of books is that each includes two perforated, large sized post cards so you can share your creative genius with someone you love. 
When a rainy day in the suburbs keeps Garrett, Anthony, and Aimee inside they find themselves bored with nothing to do. Mom suggests curling up together for a story by the fire, but it's not a new story and the kids aren't taken with it. Will the bordem ever cease?
Show me one person who says they don't find their curiosity piqued by the title of this book, and I'll show you a liar! Seriously, a few weeks back I had told myself I was going to stop accepting submissions for review for a few days because I had a lot going on. I wanted to catch up on the books I had in que, meanwhile I wanted to be sure I didn't over commit. Well, naturally, as soon as made this promise to myself this review request came through. The title was hilarious. So, I had myself a good belly shaking laugh, and then I broke my rule for the day by accepting the request. What a great decision that was! :P
This beautiful collection of African rhymes provides wonderful insight into the lives of some of Africa's well loved wildlife- elephants, hippos, owls, fish, crocodiles, and even a fly. With four unique stories to choose from, readers can actually choose to read this book cover to cover in one sitting or opt for one story at a time. The text is lulling and pleasant to listen read; however, Hone uses many big words that I think younger readers/listeners are simply not going to understand or know. I don't doubt for a second that they'll enjoy the stories; but I do think they might not be able to take it all in at once. 
In The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game the cubs learn several important lessons as their soccor team, the Rockets, goes up against the big and nasty Steamrollers. Not only is their opposing team made up of players way bigger than they are, but the Steamrollers also don't play by the rules. Brother and Sister Bear, along with their fellow Rockets, must learn and determine to play fairly despite the fact that doing so might not help them gain the win. As Coach Papa Bear explains, it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. No matter what it is you do in life, you must always strive to enjoy the experience and do your best. Then if you win you had a great time doing so and you know you did it honestly. If you lose you won't be able to beat yourself up over it because you'll know you did the best you could. Likewise, it won't have been a wasted experience because you'll have enjoyed yourself in the process.
Another wonderful life lesson is brought forth on the pages of The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors. With a story that had a definitive Good Samaritan feel to it, the Berenstain Bear family learns a lesson about judging people by their appearances. For you see, the majority of the Bear family's neighbors are all well kept and put together, all but for the Bogg Brothers who live down the road. Wherein everyone else's houses and yards are pretty and clean, the Bogg Brothers live in a rundown shack with junk in the yard and pig wallowing in a muddy pen. Compared to the rest of the town, these neighbors are a problem. 
