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If I Were a Moose

In this story, Coopie and her Momma are walking to the market, when Coopie needs to use her imagination to keep warm.

26 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

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5 stars
24 (60%)
4 stars
5 (12%)
3 stars
6 (15%)
2 stars
3 (7%)
1 star
2 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for J.
4,225 reviews26 followers
September 16, 2021
Why do we torment ourselves with these types of books and how can someone have the mind to even put one like this together?

The whole book is quite a large book for small hands and the only reason I can find for this book's size is just the fact that the Foreword was so long. Really did it need that much space to explain the idea for the book that you basically want parenting to be where you are the friend of a child and one who encourages creativity whenever their mind runs wild on them? I thought the message could be much sweeter thus the book much more child-friendly in size. And then there was so much wrong.

First of all the fact that all the borders were butterflies and leaves even for the wintry scene is just mind-boggling first of all. Although borders aren't needed I do love the authors who normally use the borders to help enhance the scene and not one that just gives the readers a heads-up this will be a trippy book to begin with.

Second of all where in tarnation did this child's name come from? The only name I could think Coopie being a nickname for would have been Cooper but this child is suppose to be a girl child so poor child times two if that is the case. And really I know that this was published in the late '90s but I don't feel that was a time when baby naming was getting really creative as it is now.

Third and this is up to the reader's opinion but really does this author or even Coopie's mother not know what a moose is? True the book is suppose to be about using your imagination but the only moose with antlers is a bull moose but Coopie's mom is fine with sex changing for the child so they can have tea in the forest with half the forest populace in clothes and the other running wild in their nature-coats.

As if this wasn't enough to find wrong with the book there were quite a few scenes going on where the book was quite suggestive if you step back. Although there probably wasn't much thought given to make it quite naughty even my husband was questioning one page and he is the non-reader of the family.

Anyway this is one reading trip I wish I hadn't taken and one I wouldn't find myself wanting to recommend to anyone else either.

11 reviews
June 30, 2023
This fantasy book is wonderful in encouraging kids to use their imagination. It is also a poem book in simple verse which makes it easy to read and understand. The thing I like most about this book is that it is filled with love on every page and when you are done reading it you feel good. It has a lot of possibilities for use in the classroom
Profile Image for Kathy.
8 reviews
May 16, 2019
Loved reading this book to my kis when they were small.
40 reviews
September 5, 2014
This book is the perfect book for a parent to share with their child. Coopie and Mama have a very positive relationship, as every time Coopie asks her what she would be if he were something other than himself, his Mama simply replies she would transform as well to be right there with him. This book has an excellent child/parent relationship, and you can tell the author put time and effort into writing the mother as a very supporting, loving character towards her son.

The illustrations and use of color in this book are fantastic, and will easily capture the attention of any child. On each page, Coopie and Mama are drawn completely different, from them becoming dinosaurs, rainbows, suns, moose, kites, etc., but the detail put into their faces each time helps with the continuity of the story because the facial characteristics are the same, no matter what new thing they are. Overall, this is a great story about a child's imagination and a parent's loving support, and reassurance an acceptance for being whoever you are.
Profile Image for Courtney.
63 reviews5 followers
March 7, 2013
In this story, Coopie and her Momma are walking to the market, and Coopie needed to use her imagination to keep warm. She asks her Momma, "If I were a moose, do you know what you would do?" Her Momma says that she, of course, would move into the woods so she could be with her. Each page, Coopie asks what her Momma would do if she were different animals or items and her Momma always says that she would be with her no matter what.

This is a great reminder for children that their parents will always love them. There are a few things in particular that I think are spectacular about this book. I love that every illustration takes up the whole page. I also love the Foreword that the book includes. It says that parents should build up their children's self-esteem and make sure they are proud of who they are and what they can do. I love that this is included!!

I would recommend every parent to read this book to their children.
Profile Image for Julia Jasztal.
522 reviews
February 18, 2013
Mommy's review from 9/30/11 -


2.5 - Coopie? What kind of name is Coopie? (Anyone out there with any kids names Coopie sorry but it's just way out there.) Coopie.
The entire time we were reading this, save for the first time the name is mentioned, we called the kid Poopie. It just seemed more.... fitting.
So anyway, besides the Coopie/Poopie drama the rhymes are cute. This is along the same lines as the usual 'Mommy loves her baby so very much' books which make up some of my favorite children's books. This loses just because I think the name Coopie is stupid but it's a decent book.
A little more writing than I expected which I liked and the illustrations are on par with my expectations. Coopie. Huh.
5 reviews
February 10, 2009
This book instantly became one of my favorites to read to my kids! In moving etc it was lost and I have searched for it. I finally found it and cant wait to read it to them again! Its similar to " Guess how much I love you" etc. If you can find it BUY IT!!!! I found it on amazon.
Profile Image for Cindy.
107 reviews
August 20, 2008
Love this book. There are other knock offs but this is my favorite. The pictures are beautiful and the spirit of the book is very sweet. I bought mine through "Discovery Toys."
Profile Image for Taylor.
1 review
January 5, 2015
This is by far my all-time favorite children's book. My mom read this to me so many times when I was younger and it holds so many fond memories for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews