Picture Book Review: A Is for Musk Ox

A Is for Musk Ox

"F is for musk ox -- Because musk oxen have fur. And lots of it. Does this fur make me look fat?" - A Is for Musk Ox

Author: Erin Cabatingan
Illustrator: Matthew Myers

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Copyright Date: 2012

Number of Pages: 36 pages

Reading Level: Pre-K, Grades 1-3

Genre: Children's Literature, Picture Book, Alphabet Book

Cost: $18.99 (Amazon)

Rating: ★★★★★

A Is for Musk Ox is an alphabet book, but also a fun and humorous conversation between a zebra and musk ox about what each letter in the alphabet stands for. After eating an apple, the musk ox claims that "A" stands for musk ox, but the zebra disagrees. The musk ox is tired of being stuck in the middle of the alphabet at "M," so he decides to move himself to the front of the alphabet. Throughout this book, you will see how the musk ox relates himself to each letter of the alphabet and you will learn about musk oxen through the humorous conversation that occurs between the zebra and musk ox. 

This book may not be the best for teaching young kids the alphabet, but it would be great for students who already know the alphabet. A Is for Musk Ox could be used in the classroom as an introduction book for a lesson that requires students to create their own ABC book. Coming up with a word for every letter in the alphabet about a specific topic may be difficult and require some research, but it would be a great project for students. Using A Is for Musk Ox would be a fun and entertaining was to begin the lesson, and it would give students an idea for one way they could make their ABC book. 

Book Rating:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	COMMENTS
PLOT	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.	★★★★★ I give A Is for Musk Ox five stars for its plot because, even though it is an alphabet book, it has a story that incorporates all five elements of good plot structure due to the conversation between the musk ox and the zebra.
CHARACTER	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed so the readers cannot connect to the book.	★★★★★ I give A Is for Musk Ox five stars for its characters because both the zebra and musk ox are developed, have fun personalities where they show a lot of emotion, which is demonstrated in the illustrations and text, and they are believable.
PACING	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.	★★★★★ I give A Is for Musk Ox five stars for pacing because the story moves freely and does not feel rushed or slow at any point. The conversation between the musk ox and zebra is engaging, which makes the reader want to continue reading to see what they will say next.

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