Book Review – CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cronin, Doreen. 2000.  CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE.  Ill. By Betsy Lewin. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 1416903488

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Farmer Brown runs into labor problems with his animals when the cows start typing up demands on their typewriter.  At first, the farmer refuses, but when the cows cut off the milk supply, he reconsiders.  This emboldens the hens (and later the ducks) to also make demands, which are also granted.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a book with something for everyone.  Kids will love the bright, cheerful watercolor pictures by Betsy Lewin and those anthropomorphic animals getting the best of the Farmer Brown and making him mad.  The upset expression on the farmer's face and his shadow when he's hopping mad that milk production has stopped is a delight for children.  Also noteworthy is the expressions of the animals as they alternate from defiant to nervous.  This really helps to give them personality and builds tension.  Adults will enjoy the fun word play and explaining the concept of a “neutral party” to their children.  There’s also a good lesson to be had about resolving conflicts peacefully.  Word selection is appropriate for early readers, with the typing segments ("Click, clack, moo") repeated frequently using a unique typewriter font.  Kids love to say that part, and it also offers a break for beginning readers and builds confidence that they can read through to the end of the story.  At the end of the tale, there is an amusing, wordless denouement where Farmer Brown offers one last concession to the ducks.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

2001 Caldecott Honor Book

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Today’s preschoolers may have to be told about antique clackety typewriters, but they’ll love the slapstick of the domesticated animals who get the farmer to toe the line.”

Reviewed in GOODREADS: “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.”

5.       CONNECTIONS

* This could be a great book for young readers to learn about negotiations and settling conflicts.
* Doreen Cronin's website can be found HERE.
http://www.doreencronin.com/www.doreencronin.com/Home.html
* The DVD can be purchased through Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Click-Clack-Moo-Scholastic-Storybook/dp/B00113ALMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1315873604&sr=1-1

* The author, Doreen Cronin, wrote other books with similar characters and situations, also with illustrations by Betsy Lewin.

Cronin, Doreen.  GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK.  ISBN 1416903496

Cronin, Doreen.  THUMP, QUACK, MOO.  ISBN 141691630X