MIRANDA MOOSE LOVES ORANGE JUICE

Miranda Moose needs help locating her favorite beverage in Brazdzionis’ picture book.

Miranda Mae Meredith Moose has a passion for orange juice. One morning, she awakes craving gooseberry jam and her favorite drink, but the latter is nowhere to be found in her home. The local shopkeeper is also out of orange juice, and thus unable to help her, so she tries her friend, Miss Hallie Hen, but to no avail. Hallie directs Miranda to Miss Cassie Cow, but she only has milk and butter at home, regretfully telling Miranda (in Brazdzionis’ signature rhyming couplets): “Oh noooo, Miss Miranda, I only have milks and sweet creamery butters. But try asking Shelly. She’s helpful and caring. She even loves sharing whatever she’s wearing!” This neighbor, Miss Shelly Sheep, suggests Miranda try one last local resident, who might be able to solve Miranda’s problem in a much simpler way than Miranda had ever imagined. This lilting debut picture book demonstrates to young readers the origins of different farm-made products, like sheep’s wool and fruit, while also illustrating how to persevere in the face of a problem. Loo’s illustrations are colorful, but lack the depth that would help readers differentiate between foreground and background.

A fun but visually busy picture book that teaches little ones about sharing and problem-solving.