CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows That Type
A Review by Amanda Kendall
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Cronin, Doreen. 2000. CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows That Type. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689832133
Cronin, Doreen. 2000. CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Cows That Type. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689832133
Plot Summary:
Farmer Brown's world is turned upside down when the cows discover an old typewriter in the barn. With a click and a clack, they start making requests to improve the living conditions on the farm. Farmer Brown is irate and refuses to give in to the cows ridiculous demands. Soon, the cows and the chickens are on strike and with no milk and eggs, Farmer Brown sends Duck into the barn to negotiate. In the end, Farmer Brown willingly trades the typewriter for electric blankets but wasn't counting on the ducks learning to type.
Analysis:
Readers will laugh out loud with this unexpected and hilarious twist to life on the farm. Filled with repetitive alliteration that invites young readers to sing along, the text moves swiftly and effortlessly. This impressively simple text maintains the integrity of story with the back-and-forth dialogue, and humorous conflicts making the the characters memorable. Readers of all ages will savor each delightfully delicious page.
Lewin's vibrant and beautiful watercolor illustrations compliment and enhance the story from beginning to end. The black watercolor outlines showcase the unique personalities of the characters, conveying their emotions and moods perfectly. As character personalities jump off the page, the reader is entertained with their antics. The use of soft watercolor backgrounds draw the reader's focus to the characters and action in the story, while other bolder backgrounds visually engage readers highlighting the conflict in the story. Expertly executed on every page, Lewin's art not only adds to the character development of the story but adds humor making this a classic for years to come.
Lewin's vibrant and beautiful watercolor illustrations compliment and enhance the story from beginning to end. The black watercolor outlines showcase the unique personalities of the characters, conveying their emotions and moods perfectly. As character personalities jump off the page, the reader is entertained with their antics. The use of soft watercolor backgrounds draw the reader's focus to the characters and action in the story, while other bolder backgrounds visually engage readers highlighting the conflict in the story. Expertly executed on every page, Lewin's art not only adds to the character development of the story but adds humor making this a classic for years to come.
Awards & Reviews:
- 2001 Caldecott Honor Book
- 2001 International Reading Association Children's Choice Award Winner
- 2001 ALA Notable Children's Book Award
- Top 100 Picture Books of All Time by School Library Journal
From Publishers Weekly: "Kids and underdogs everywhere will cheer for the clever critters that calmly and politely stand up for their rights, while their human caretaker becomes more and more unglued."
From School Library Journal: "So simple. So perfect."
Connections:
Other Caldecott Award Winners from 2001:
Other Caldecott Award Winners from 2001:
- St. George, Judith. So You Want to Be President? ISBN 0399243178
- Thayer, Ernest. Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung Hero in the Year 1888. ISBN 1929766009
- Giggle, Giggle, Quack. 1481465430
- Duck for President. 0689863772
- Diary of a Spider. 0062233009
- Share as part of an author's study on Doreen Cronin looking for connections across books related to characters, plot, and theme.
- Create a reader's theater script and perform the story as a play.
- Invite students to write their own letters to parents or the principal explaining how they would like to see their school or home life improved.
