Mooki's Secret (Forest Tales Series) [Hardcover]

Kari Smalley Gibson (Author), Richard Bernal (Illustrator), Gary Smalley (Contributor)

Book Description

Having grown up without parents, Mooki is ashamed of his extra large teeth until he meets a family of beavers and learns that he is just like them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An orphaned beaver discovers his heritage and gains self-esteem in this woodland picture book. When his family and home are washed away in a flood, young Mooki must move to a home for wayward critters run by the kindly badger Mrs. Twizzer. Though Mooki's housemates include a peacock, a rabbit and a skunk, he feels self-conscious about his appearance--especially his enormous teeth. It doesn't help matters when the other animals make fun of him. But then Mooki meets a young female beaver who makes him feel more comfortable in his fur and appreciative of his "chompers." Gibson's well-paced text has an easy-going tone that kids will find reassuring. The positive message about accepting oneself and being tolerant of others has universal appeal regardless of faith. Bernal's deep, earthy palette is appropriate for the forest setting, and his wide-eyed animal characters inject humor and warmth into the tale. Smalley provides an afterword for parents in which he explains the various issues of faith raised in the text and suggests related Bible passages for families to explore. Ages 3-7.

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576732665
• ISBN-13: 978-1576732663
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,037,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mookie teaches us that being different is a gift !, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mooki's Secret (Forest Tales Series) (Hardcover)

"Mookie's Secret" is a well written story that touches on some serious issues, namely "abandonment" AND "fear of being different".Upon reaching an orphanage, Mookie,the little beaver is warmly accepted but is afraid that the other critters will discover his embarrasing secret and will make fun of him. After hearing a joke, Mookie's secret is revealed - his laughter reveals his humongous teeth. Not knowing that he is a beaver and that he is SUPPOSED to have big teeth, he runs away only to find other beavers. His newly found friends help him to discover that his secret is really a blessing rather than something to be ashamed of. Mookie returns to the orphanage and uses his unique gift and newly found confidence to become part of the group in a new and exciting way. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL!