Moose Eggs: Or, Why Moose Have Flat Antlers
By Susan Williams Beckhorn
Illustrated by Helen Stevens
Down East Books
ISBN: 9780892726899

In this fun fable, a fictional explanation is given for how moose came to have big, flat antlers. According to the tale, long ago moose looked much like other deer. But that changed when the Father of all Moose became eager to have children. Not knowing where babies come from, Moose foolishly believed his friend Grouse when he suggested that moose babies hatch from eggs. So Moose found two huge, egg-shaped boulders, and carried them in his antlers for months, waiting for them to hatch. Of course, they never did. But the whole experience of carrying the heavy rocks on his head caused Moose's shoulders to become humped and his antlers to grow wide and flat. And they've stayed that way to this very day!

Agate: What Good is a Moose?
By Joy Morgan Dey
Illustrated by Nikki Johnson
Lake Superior Port Cities Inc.
ISBN: 9780942235739

Agate is an insecure moose. All his friends are talented and beautiful, like the sparkling gems they are named after. But Agate is plain and brown and lumpy, and he is so busy comparing himself to others that he doesn't realize all the wonderful things his friends see in him. Much like the gem he is named after, Agate may look ordinary on the outside, but with a little polishing he reveals his colorful, unique inner core. Readers of all ages will enjoy the book's message, as well as the witty text and vibrant watercolor illustrations of each animal. As an added bonus, the back of the book includes illustrated information about agates and the birthstones each animal friend is named after.

Imogene's Antlers
Written and illustrated by David Small
Dragonfly Books
ISBN: 0517562421

One day young Imogene wakes up to find that she has grown a large set of antlers. Imogene takes this discovery in stride, but her mother doesn't like it one bit. The doctor comes to examine Imogene, but he can't find anything medically wrong. The school principal visits too, but can't provide any helpful advice.

Other household members seem to actually enjoy Imogene's antlers. Lucy, the kitchen maid, hangs towels on Imogene's antlers. And Mrs. Perkins, the cook, decks Imogene's antlers with doughnuts and sends Imogene into the garden to feed the birds.

The next morning when Imogene wakes up, the antlers are gone and the family is relieved - until she begins to sprout peacock feathers. This laugh-out-loud book offers a subtle message about accepting others' differences and rolling with the punches.