Module 6 - Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type

February 18 - 24, 2013

 

 

Cronin, Doreen. CLICK CLACK MOO, COWS THAT TYPE

 

Bibliography:

Cronin, Doreen. (2000). Click, clack, moo: cows that type. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

 

Summary:

When the cows discover a typewriter in the barn, they take the opportunity to tell the farmer that they are cold and need blankets. They decide to bargain with him and refuse to provide milk until they receive electric blankets. When he refuses, they bring the chickens in on the deal. They refuse to produce eggs! The duck, a neutral participant, decides to be the go-between in this deal – the typewriter for the electric blankets. The farmer agrees…then receives a typed letter from the duck requesting a diving board for the pond.

 

Impressions:

This book cracked me up! I enjoyed the simple story so much I made my daughter read it too. Although I may have to explain what a typewriter is to my audience, I would read this to all ages. In fact, I want to see what else this author has written in hopes that it is just as whimsical.

 

Reviews:

Life on the farm will never be the same after the cows discover an old typewriter. When Farmer Brown refuses their first written request for electric blankets, the determined cows go on strike. In a bold act of community organization, they convince the hens to join them, and soon the baffled farmer is out both milk and eggs. Neutral Duck arbitrates with hilarious results. Lewin's watercolors are as big, bold, and outrageous as the animals' demands. Video and audio versions available from Weston Woods.

Auerbach, B. (2005). Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. School Library Journal, 51(9), 58.

Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows have found an old typewriter in the barn and are using it to make demands. They want electric blankets to keep them warm at night and are willing to withhold their milk until they get them. What is worse, the chickens have joined the cows in their strike. No more milk! No more eggs! The ducks are the not-so-neutral party. They carry the cows' and chickens' message, which promises to turn over the typewriter in exchange for blankets. Once Farmer Brown capitulates, however, the ducks have a few demands of their own. The delightfully understated text and expressive illustrations add to the hilarity. A read-aloud must for teachers who wish to create classroom space for conversations about literacy and power with even the youngest of readers.

Click, Clack, Moo (Book). (2002). Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 45(8), 794.

Uses:

I would read this to younger classes that come in to the library for story time. It would be a great book to use in a lesson on personification.