Reviews Young Readers Reviews Editions , # 86 Spring 2018 ,
Lori Doody’s Droll Humour and Delightful Illustrations Highlight Mallard, Mallard, Moose
What do you do when you are a moose who is being followed by two unassuming mallard ducks? The moose in this story, who finds himself in precisely that predicament, strolls into St. John’s in search of a home for the wayward mallards. He traverses the entire city looking for someplace to divest himself of his unwanted companions, but to no avail.
He tries to leave them at a park or possibly downtown or by the harbour but they are uncomfortable with the swans and the pigeons and the seagulls. A bakery and a local restaurant give him pause but then neither spot proves to be quite right. What is a moose supposed to do? Fortunately, just when his patience appears to be wearing thin, the answer appears.
This is the third picture book from Lori Doody, a Newfoundland artist whose two earlier tales, like this one, combine droll humour and delightful illustrations to wonderful effect. Short, simple sentences outline the moose’s plight and clever word play provides amusement throughout (as when he couldn’t find a place to “fit the bill”).
Also as in her previous tales, the text and illustrations very much work together to weave their magic. The images of St. John’s are distinct and easily identifiable and the folk-art style that Doody employs auits the story perfectly. Bold, bright and flat colours, thin lines and comic details enable the illustrations to tell their own tale and expertly capture the setting.
Children and adults alike will be gratified when they reach the final page where the moose finally says goodbye “to the duck, the duck and the goose,” the answer that the story was, of course, begging for all along.
Mallard, Mallard, Moose
Lori Doody
Running the Goal Books & Broadsides
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