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Morris and Boris
Morris Goes to School
Morris the Moose can’t read or count, so he decides to go to school. After a day of ABCs and 123s, Morris is thrilled with all that he has learned. This classic silly Level One I Can Read is perfect for shared reading with a child. For fans of Danny and the Dinosaur, Sammy the Seal, or anyone who loves to read silly stories about animals.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
About the author
Bernard Wiseman
57 books13 followersBernard Wiseman was an American author of children's books. He was best known for his Morris and Boris books. He wrote actively from 1958 to 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
April 22, 2022
Priceless! love those growing up :)
May 17, 2021
The book was cute and the story funny-- we liked it.
September 22, 2021
The humor in this one is pretty good, especially for a children’s book from the early 70’s. This is the story of Morris the moose who wants some candy but goes to the wrong store because he can’t read. When he does get to the candy store he almost pays too much for his gumdrops because he can’t count. So the candy man takes him to school where Morris learns all kinds of things, including how to be a coatrack.
2nd read, I read this to my buddy’s kid and he liked it but it made him miss school
2nd read, I read this to my buddy’s kid and he liked it but it made him miss school
October 11, 2020
What a pleasant surprise Morris Goes to School turned out to be. Brimming with wonderfully friendly laugh-out-loud humor from start to finish, and with illustrations reminiscent of the best in children's literature of the 1940s, '50s and '60s, Morris Goes to School tells a story that is engaging to young readers and effectively educational at the same time, never missing a beat. Could a book about a moose enrolling in school be any more fun or charming than this one? I can't imagine how.
Does Morris the moose need education? He already seems happy, his main daily goal being to save up enough pennies to buy gumdrops from the local candy shop. But without knowing how to read, Morris can't find the shop on his own, and without knowing how to count, he has no way of figuring how many pennies are required to pay for the gumdrops he wants to purchase. Realizing what his antlered customer needs most, the shopkeeper takes Morris to school, to study with the human boys and girls just beginning their own educational journeys.
It isn't always easy for a big, energetic moose to sit still and listen, especially when he doesn't understand so many words the teacher is saying, but Morris is a good boy, despite being prone to an occasional interruption of the teacher during lessons. Morris wants to learn, and his peers and the teacher are willing to make any accommodations necessary for him as he gradually develops crucial competence with numbers, letters and ideas. Are these adjustments too difficult for a moose to make, particularly when surrounded only by human students? Not for a moose like Morris, who is starting to grasp the importance of education. How can he buy his candy without learning basic reading and math concepts? The school day isn't all serious business, though. Morris and the other kids are encouraged to imagine and innovate, to think outside the box and have fun together. School can be a good time if one knows when to work hard and when to play hard. Morris won't soon regret enlisting in the public school system, and his after-school gumdrops will taste as sweet as ever.
I hoped Morris Goes to School would be a nice bit of entertainment, but I wasn't expecting it to be so genuinely funny. I laughed out loud numerous times as I read, and appreciated all aspects of the narrative: Morris's winsome readiness to join school at a moment's notice, the patience and welcoming attitude of the other kids and Morris's teacher, the stick-to-it-ness of Morris when it seemed most absurd that this experiment could possibly work. I also loved the old-fashioned illustrations and goofy charm of the storytelling. Bernard Wiseman obviously knows his audience, and I'm confident kids in any era will have a good time with Morris Goes to School. I would give this book two and a half stars, and recommend it for anyone in the early reader age group. You're not likely to find many reading experiences more fun than this.
Does Morris the moose need education? He already seems happy, his main daily goal being to save up enough pennies to buy gumdrops from the local candy shop. But without knowing how to read, Morris can't find the shop on his own, and without knowing how to count, he has no way of figuring how many pennies are required to pay for the gumdrops he wants to purchase. Realizing what his antlered customer needs most, the shopkeeper takes Morris to school, to study with the human boys and girls just beginning their own educational journeys.
It isn't always easy for a big, energetic moose to sit still and listen, especially when he doesn't understand so many words the teacher is saying, but Morris is a good boy, despite being prone to an occasional interruption of the teacher during lessons. Morris wants to learn, and his peers and the teacher are willing to make any accommodations necessary for him as he gradually develops crucial competence with numbers, letters and ideas. Are these adjustments too difficult for a moose to make, particularly when surrounded only by human students? Not for a moose like Morris, who is starting to grasp the importance of education. How can he buy his candy without learning basic reading and math concepts? The school day isn't all serious business, though. Morris and the other kids are encouraged to imagine and innovate, to think outside the box and have fun together. School can be a good time if one knows when to work hard and when to play hard. Morris won't soon regret enlisting in the public school system, and his after-school gumdrops will taste as sweet as ever.
I hoped Morris Goes to School would be a nice bit of entertainment, but I wasn't expecting it to be so genuinely funny. I laughed out loud numerous times as I read, and appreciated all aspects of the narrative: Morris's winsome readiness to join school at a moment's notice, the patience and welcoming attitude of the other kids and Morris's teacher, the stick-to-it-ness of Morris when it seemed most absurd that this experiment could possibly work. I also loved the old-fashioned illustrations and goofy charm of the storytelling. Bernard Wiseman obviously knows his audience, and I'm confident kids in any era will have a good time with Morris Goes to School. I would give this book two and a half stars, and recommend it for anyone in the early reader age group. You're not likely to find many reading experiences more fun than this.
May 24, 2017
This is one of my childhood favorites. Can't tell you how many times I've read this book. Tonight my daughter read it to me and I couldn't help but smile when she chuckled over the same parts I remember laughing about...
"He yelled, 'Where is the bee? I'm afraid of bees! They sting!
Miss Fine said, 'I meant the letter B. This one here. It doesn't sting.' "
Fun classic!!
"He yelled, 'Where is the bee? I'm afraid of bees! They sting!
Miss Fine said, 'I meant the letter B. This one here. It doesn't sting.' "
Fun classic!!
March 11, 2020
When I think of childhood favorites when learning to read, this is one thing that comes to mind. It was absolutely hilarious and enjoyable the whole time!
March 30, 2014
"I like that Morris liked what I like: gumdops and swimming."
September 8, 2017
Wiseman already seems to be phoning these in.
April 22, 2022
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. Such a cute little story! This is still one of my favourite “I Can Read”/First Reader books. It’s well written yet simple, while still entertaining and even amusing, and the illustrations are delightful. Well done.
November 8, 2023
A wonderful tale about the importance of literacy and education. Touches lightly on xenophobia in an age appropriate way.
October 7, 2023
Very cute kids book
January 28, 2021
Text-to-Self Connection
I love, love, love this book! Morris Goes to School was a book I used to read all of the time when I was little. I remember reading this book and laughing at the funny things Morris did in school. Morris was sent to school because he couldn't read the Candy Store sign or add when he wanted to buy candy. Although Morris was a big moose and stuck out like a sore thumb, the children loved him and he eventually fit right in. As a child, I loved going to school. And Morris did, too.
I love, love, love this book! Morris Goes to School was a book I used to read all of the time when I was little. I remember reading this book and laughing at the funny things Morris did in school. Morris was sent to school because he couldn't read the Candy Store sign or add when he wanted to buy candy. Although Morris was a big moose and stuck out like a sore thumb, the children loved him and he eventually fit right in. As a child, I loved going to school. And Morris did, too.
April 22, 2020
Morris Goes to School by B. Wiseman is an easy to read picture book about a very silly moose. In this story Morris the Moose gets frustrated that he can not count, so he decides to attend school. Morris is an character who is very literal and easily confused. The story is filled with humor based on Morris’ misunderstanding of elementary concepts.
The book has easy sketch like drawings and larger print. Both of these elements help the story to be an easy to read book. Morris is silly, and the drawings reflect this, and will definitely make kids laugh.
I would rate this book with 5 stars because it is fun and humorous. It allows for the use of imagination. It was one of my favorites growing up, as Morris never failed to make me laugh. The pictures are bright too. Although it is an easy to read book, it still has an interesting enough story to captivate readers.
The book has easy sketch like drawings and larger print. Both of these elements help the story to be an easy to read book. Morris is silly, and the drawings reflect this, and will definitely make kids laugh.
I would rate this book with 5 stars because it is fun and humorous. It allows for the use of imagination. It was one of my favorites growing up, as Morris never failed to make me laugh. The pictures are bright too. Although it is an easy to read book, it still has an interesting enough story to captivate readers.
September 20, 2017
This is such a fun and soothing book for young children. The illustrations are very well done, but not over powering. The color scheme is relaxing. This is a funny book about a moose that goes to school so he can learn how to count so he can buy gumdrops at the candy store. The children at school think it is super cool that a moose is at their school, which children reading the story would also find cool and may wish they could have a moose join their school as well. Many of the words in the book are repetitive and would be easy for a beginning reader to read with a teacher, parent, or other adult.
January 3, 2016
When Morris the moose is unable to calculate how much candy his six pennies will buy him, the candy shop keeper drops him off at school. Morris has a number of challenges, including where to sit and how to finger count when all he has are hooves. Morris also misunderstands a great deal about the human world. He is not, for example, familiar with train tracks, and takes them for a ladder. He is also very literal minded--rather like Amelia Bedelia. For an early reader, this is a very fun and humorous text that doesn't at all talk down to young students.
September 25, 2017
This is adorable and Morris is a hidden genius. The speed that he learns is amazing. hehehe.
With all jokes aside this is basically a BY THE BOOKS go to school book. You have your usual classes, recess, Spelling, Math and more. The humor is classic. (I mean old but still humorous)
The art well. the art is really classic. In one way it doesn't hold up to modern book art BUT in another way is does. This books classic art style is simple, classy, with traditional characteristics and limited color pallet. That isn't shown more than in the Candy man's drawn attire.
With all jokes aside this is basically a BY THE BOOKS go to school book. You have your usual classes, recess, Spelling, Math and more. The humor is classic. (I mean old but still humorous)
The art well. the art is really classic. In one way it doesn't hold up to modern book art BUT in another way is does. This books classic art style is simple, classy, with traditional characteristics and limited color pallet. That isn't shown more than in the Candy man's drawn attire.
February 10, 2024
When I was (MUCH) younger, I thought Morris was a fool for going to school! I mean, who wants to go to SCHOOL?
Now it feels like something else, because this moose can talk AND has money to buy candy, but can't read or count... hmm. Suspicious...
The other issue is he learns to count by seeing them use their fingers and saying, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10." It feels like, if you don't know how to count, what good is seeing that? Also, ? They also barely get through part of the alphabet, so I don't know how he got any reading skills out of that.
Cute story for younger readers, all the same, but older readers might give it the side-eye.
Edit: I just noticed the back cover says, "Original Publisher's Price: $7.95"—this is in 1970 money! Hot dang, how expensive were books back then?!
Now it feels like something else, because this moose can talk AND has money to buy candy, but can't read or count... hmm. Suspicious...
The other issue is he learns to count by seeing them use their fingers and saying, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10." It feels like, if you don't know how to count, what good is seeing that? Also, ? They also barely get through part of the alphabet, so I don't know how he got any reading skills out of that.
Cute story for younger readers, all the same, but older readers might give it the side-eye.
Edit: I just noticed the back cover says, "Original Publisher's Price: $7.95"—this is in 1970 money! Hot dang, how expensive were books back then?!
May 5, 2022
Kind of a simplistic/outdated example of a day of school, but for a kids book that’s ok. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of diversity in the book, even the classroom was of only white children. I also wasn’t sure what the lesson of the story was, maybe to teach counting or encourage a better perspective of school? Regardless, for practicing reading it was fine, but I didn’t find there to be much substance.
I would recommend this book to any students who like silly stories and question how school is helpful in real life (you have to know how to read signs or count money to buy candy for example).
I would recommend this book to any students who like silly stories and question how school is helpful in real life (you have to know how to read signs or count money to buy candy for example).
July 6, 2023
Cute story about Moose who wants candy, but can't read so he goes into a fish shop. When he does make it to the candy store he can't count, so the owner takes him to school instead to learn to read and write. I'm surprised the owner didn't try to swindle Moose out of all his money, but I guess that would be a step beyond the step-into-reading realm of books. Anyway, Moose enjoys his class and all and learns to read and write (his name, which he should have known before, but whatever) and goes back to the candy store and robs it (just kidding). My rating - 3/5
February 10, 2019
This book is so cute and entertaining. A moose in school? As he goes about his learning day he helps the children learn the alphabet and their counting numbers. It is witty and humorous and I think the kids can relate to Morris and his feelings as he faces Moose in school dilemmas such as there being only a boys and a girls bathroom and no door that says moose. Children who are beginning full days in school can relate to all of it.
April 20, 2023
I adore this book with all my heart! When I was younger, I used to read Morris Goes to School on a regular basis. As I read this novel, I chuckled at the absurd things Morris did in class. Because Morris couldn't read the sweets Store sign or add when he wanted to buy sweets, he was sent to school. Morris was a large moose who stood out like a sore thumb, but the kids adored him, and he finally blended in.
August 24, 2024
This was one of my many favorites as a child.
Super cute picture book about a moose named Morris who decides to go to school to learn how to read, do arithmetic, and more.
The illustrations are delightful and the story itself is fun. I liked the dash of humor sprinkled throughout.
My favorite part is when Morris decides that his species is difficult to spell.
This would be a great book for early readers who are heading back to school.
Super cute picture book about a moose named Morris who decides to go to school to learn how to read, do arithmetic, and more.
The illustrations are delightful and the story itself is fun. I liked the dash of humor sprinkled throughout.
My favorite part is when Morris decides that his species is difficult to spell.
This would be a great book for early readers who are heading back to school.
April 2, 2018
Morris Goes to School
I chose this book because this was one of my first books that helped me learn to read. This book is adorable. I like how the story incorporates both humans and an animal. I use to think it was hilarious that a moose was in the classroom. It still is funny, but not quite as funny as it use to be, obviously. I actually read this book to my nieces and nephews still.
I chose this book because this was one of my first books that helped me learn to read. This book is adorable. I like how the story incorporates both humans and an animal. I use to think it was hilarious that a moose was in the classroom. It still is funny, but not quite as funny as it use to be, obviously. I actually read this book to my nieces and nephews still.
November 26, 2016
Morris the moose wants to be able to count his money and read the store signs, so that he can buy gumdrops at the candy store, so he goes to school. He learns a lot and makes friends with the children in his class.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2017
It is really funny. He can't read until he goes to school and he wanted to get into the boys bathroom but went into the girls bathroom. The boys and girls, when they were spelling, were trying to spell 'moose' but they spelled it 'm-o-s-e'.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2020
My son liked this book. He liked the pictures too.
My son liked this book. He liked the pictures too. It was a quick simple book book. I recommended it to my little sister, she's learning to read and it was easy enough for her to read it by herself.
My son liked this book. He liked the pictures too. It was a quick simple book book. I recommended it to my little sister, she's learning to read and it was easy enough for her to read it by herself.
August 13, 2020
I remember reading Morris books as a kid. The story has a lot of silliness that kids will enjoy. The teacher sings "I've Been Working on the Railroad," a song that definitely needs to be removed from the canon and is problematic here. Otherwise, a nice story.
October 10, 2020
I loved this book, it was a cute introduction to the kinds of topics you go over when you start school. Morris acts as a typical child might act, curious but normally a little off the mark for the answers. The teacher does a good job of explaining her teachings.
November 22, 2022
I've been reading some books that normally I would never read, but they've been in my house since I was a baby, so I'm reading them again. 😆 Morris Goes to School is kinda funny (I mean, he gets on my nerves, but again I'm only reading these because they're in my house).
May 5, 2017
Luisa loves Morris. Her favorite part of the book was Morris' answers to Miss Fine's questions and his hoof painting. She likes his jokes. She likes the pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews