Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon

Seems Mother Goose didn't get her story straight about the bodacious bovine who leapt into nursery rhyme history. In this saucy picture book, the scoop is delivered straight from the horse's mouth-literally. Adopting the wise-cracking style of a '40s film noir detective, a horse who witnessed the event describes how the cow (""that black-and-white babe"") proved her mettle while training with her more nimble equine farmyard companions, accomplished lunar vaulters all. First-time author Choldenko clearly had fun setting tradition on its ear, and her glee is evident throughout. Yalowitz (Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch), meanwhile, wields his colored pencil with droll intent, serving up a series of tidy and softly shaded portraits. With a sly nod to the original rhyme from Mother Goose (""What a bag of feathers she is,"" says the horse), he sneaks in some familiar characters as well-namely the lovestruck dish and spoon, the cat and the fiddle, and the laughing dog. A giggle from beginning to end. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)