cover image A Moose for Jessica

A Moose for Jessica

Pat Wakefield, Larry Carrara. Dutton Books, $14.95 (6pp) ISBN 978-0-525-44342-1

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)