Children’s Book Review: Where are you Moosehead?
Lily can’t find Moosehead, one of her favourite toys. She searches everywhere with Rosie Bear. Who can help her solve the mystery?
Losing a cherished stuffed animal can be upsetting for kids. Not only does it have an impact on your kids, but it can also impact parents. I know that we have all spent countless hours we’ve all spent looking under beds, behind pillows, and in closets. A beloved stuffed animal is a symbol of childhood and a foundation for their safety and comfort. If you’ve ever had frantic late-night searches at home, made calls to the hotel lost and founds, or put up “Missing” Facebook posts in your neighborhood mom’s group you are not alone. Been there, done that!
This past year my family and I went on a family vacation to Wisconsin Dells. My daughter forgot her stuffed animal in the room. Well, wouldn’t you know that my daughter bugged me every single day for a week to call the hotel and report her stuffed animals missing? When she found out that the stuffed animals could not be found she prayed every day that her stuffed animals could find a good home. This is serious stuff mamas. You can’t play with your kid’s stuffed animals! “Where are you Moosehead?” by Andy Stonehouse is the perfect book for you and your kids and teaches responsibility, patience, and perseverance.
Lily has lost one of her favorite stuffed animals, Moosehead. She notices that the pink and white stuffed animal goes missing after she wakes up one morning. A moose hunt ensues, and Lily searches high and low for Moosehead in her house. She even asks Mia, the family cat, and Baby Duck. Your little one will love following along with Lily as she searches for her favorite stuffed animal, Moosehead.
This book is cute, fun and includes a great lesson for children. You will love the rhyming words in this book and how beautiful this book is illustrated. It is also very relatable to your little ones, and you’ll find yourself remembering all the times you and your kids went on a search and find for their stuffed animals. This book is a must-have for your children’s bookshelf at home!
Where Can I Find Where are you Moosehead?
You can find Where are you Moosehead? by Andy Stonehouse on AMAZON.
Books in The Rosie Bears Adventures
You can find “Lily’s Big Christmas” HERE.
About the Author, Andy Stonehouse
Author, Andy Stonehouse lives in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. He is married to Victoria, who authored “Lily’s Big Christmas.” Together they have three girls age 3, 10, and 12 years old. They also have a cat named Mia, who is featured in their stories. She’s quite eccentric, just like the character says Andy. Andy works as a Sales and Marketing Director for a Medical company. He is also a triathlete, loves to keep fit, loves traveling, and discovering new places.
Rapid Fire with Andy Stonehouse
Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Andy: I have always wanted to be a writer and illustrator of children’s books, but I only started seriously around six months ago. I was inspired by my three-year-old daughter, who are experiencing things for the first time. It’s magical.
Q. What does your family think of your writing?
Andy: They are all very supportive and have all rushed out to buy copies! I was delighted by the reaction. I’ve even been asked to sign copies of my book, which is very exciting.
Q. What was the most surprising thing you learned about creating books?
Andy: It isn’t easy! Once I completed the illustrations and text, I had to learn to format books properly. I had no idea how to do it, but it’s been a very rewarding process.
Q. What do you think makes a good story?
Andy: I think having strong characters who go through a story arc is key. For my books, the main character is a little girl named Lily, who is getting to know the world around her. Her best friends are toys who help her overcome obstacles. It is very relatable to a young child.
Q. What advice do you have for writers?
Andy: Go for it. If you have an idea for a story, then write it down, you never know until you try. Once you have the finished manuscript, then make sure you get it checked and edited. You can’t always spot your own mistakes!
Q. Describe what your ideal writing space looks like?
Andy: A big writing desk in front of a large window. I write by large french windows at the back of the house. It’s very peaceful and with great lighting, which is essential for creating my illustrations.
Q. Tell us about your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Andy: I have a series of books planned in the Rosie Bear Adventure Series. I would like to have them all published, with parents and children from all over the world enjoying them. The second is already available. ‘Lily’s Big Christmas’ and the third called ‘Where Are You Rosie Bear?’ is currently in development. I would love to see them take off and widely available.
Q. What inspires you as a writer?
Andy: My children. I have three girls aged 3, 10, and 12. I have always read to them at bedtime, so have seen first hand the magic and joy that books can provide for children. Watching them grow up and experiencing things for the first time is amazing. These first experiences are the things that I have used as inspiration for my books, such as losing a friend in ‘Where Are You Moosehead?’ and learning about Father Christmas in ‘Lily’s Big Christmas’ (written by Victoria Stonehouse, illustrated by me).
Q. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Andy: I am a bit of a sports enthusiast. I race triathlons for fun! I go for iconic races these days, the most recent one being the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco earlier this year. It was an amazing race with fantastic scenery — a truly one-off event.
Q. What type of books do you write?
Andy: Illustrated children’s books for 2-6-year-olds.
Q. What does your creative process look like?
Andy: I write the story first, then determine the storyboard so that I can begin illustrating. It is quite a lengthy process, as it isn’t always easy to make the pictures match the story. I find it very relaxing though, and enjoy the creating process.
Q. What do you love most about being an Author?
Andy: The fact that I’m making something. I’m a creative person, so making it come to life is exciting. To finally get to the end product is hugely satisfying. I hope people enjoy it.
Q. Can you tell us about one of the most rewarding moments you have had as an author?
Andy: Getting the first copies of my book come through the post was the first one. Being sent photos and videos of children being read the stories by their parents, and seeing their reactions was magical. The reactions were so uplifting. I was genuinely overwhelmed when I saw how much joy the stories were given to them. It was the perfect reaction.
Q. Are you working on anything at the present that you would like to share with your readers about?
Andy: Yes, I’m currently finishing my third story, ‘Where Are You Rosie Bear?’. The story is about Lily’s first big family holiday, where she goes somewhere new with all of the people that love her around her. She leaves Rosie Bear somewhere on a day out, and her family goes on a hunt to find her. There’s some magic along the way!
Q. Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?
Andy: Just the joy and magic of childhood.
Q. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Andy: The reactions have been fantastic. Parents have told me how much their children have loved the stories and how charming the stories are. It’s just the reaction I was hoping for.
A little more about the Illustrations
Q. What process takes place in creating your artwork?
Andy: I sketch out the story first to frame the scenes in a storyboard. I then do pencil sketches before building the illustrations up with colour and fine ink. It’s quite a lengthy process, but I honestly love it.
Q. Are there any illustrators that have inspired the way you approach your illustrative work?
Andy: There are a lot! The obvious ones are Quentin Blake and Axel Sheffler, they bring so much character to their drawings and bring the stories to life. More recently, I would say Jim Field. His illustrations are so vivid and comical; I love the way they add an extra dimension to the stories. This is the approach I’ve tried to take with my books, the story is one thing, but the illustrations have to bring that story to life and further it. I hope I have done that.
Q. Which page was the most fun to illustrate?
Andy: The final page with Lily finding Moosehead. I don’t want to give the ending away, but I like the perspective of the illustration. It came out exactly as I wanted. Sometimes the drawings flow easily, and this one did. It was a fitting final drawing for the story.
Q. How did you start your career as an illustrator?
Andy: Same time as writing, late last year. I finally committed to putting a pen and pencil to paper.
Q. Did you draw as a child?
Andy: Always. I have always doodled in my spare time, coming up with weird and wonderful characters. I made some one-off cartoons and drawings for friends and family but had never really had a strong enough story to turn in to a book. I feel as though I’ve finally got there with characters that have meaning and people would be interested in.
Q. What were your favorite books growing up?
Andy: I loved the Narnia Chronicles. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was my favorite book for years. I must have read it a dozen times. I just loved the magic of it and the feeling that there may be a fantastical world hiding in a wardrobe somewhere. I also loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl was a genius storyteller. The fact that Quentin Blake illustrated his books was a huge factor as well.
Don't Forget To Join Andy on Social Media!
All in all, my family and I have really enjoyed this book and we know you will too! Please feel free to leave me any comments or questions about this review. I look forward to hearing from you!
* This book was kindly sent to me by Author, Andy Stonehouse in exchange for an honest review.
