Week 2: Click Clack Moo Cows that Type

• Week: 2
• Book Title:  Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
• Book Cover Image:

  

  D. Cronin. (2000). Simon & Schuster

• Book Summary:  Farmer Brown has a problem when his cows find a typewriter and start making demands.  When their demands are not met, the cows refuse to give milk.  All the farm animals get involved and before long the farmer is exchanging electric blankets for the typewriter.  Somehow the ducks end up with the typewriter and readers can see problems in the future for Farmer Brown.
• APA Reference:  Cronin, D.  (2000).  Click, clack, moo cows that type.  New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers.
• My Impressions:  This is a silly book with fantastic illustrations.  The ink and watercolor pictures show the farm animals with great expressions on their faces.  Farmer Brown is depicted as a no-nonsense type of guy that gets frustrated and overwhelmed.  I think his character development is good.  The storyline is funny . . . of course the cows want electric blankets!  I can't wait to find out what the ducks demand.
• Professional Review:  The literacy rate in Farmer Brown's barn goes up considerably once his cows find an old typewriter and begin typing. To the harassed farmer's dismay, his communicative cows quickly become contentious:
  

  Dear Farmer Brown,
  The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets.
  Sincerely,
  The Cows

  When he refuses to comply with their demands, the cows take action. Farmer Brown finds another note on the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." Soon the striking cows and Farmer Brown are forced to reach a mutually agreeable compromise, with the help of an impartial party--the duck. But this poor, beleaguered farmer's "atypical" troubles are not over yet!
  This hilarious tale will give young rebels-in-the-making a taste of the power of peaceful protest and the satisfaction of cooperative give and take. Witty watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin (Snake Alley Band, Araminta's Paint Box) will make this a favorite for one and all, even if words such as "ultimatum" and "neutral" throw the younger set. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Coulter, E.  (n.d.). Editorial Review. [Review of the book Click Clack Moo Cows That Type, by D. Cronin]. Retrieved from amazon.com.

Library Uses:  All of Doreen Cronin's books would make an excellent collection for display.  It would enthrall students if a farmer came in for a reading, especially if he brought in some animals for the kids to check out.  As a lesson afterwards, students could Venn diagram animals from the story and real animals.