Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type

Doreen Cronin Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type; illus. by Betsy Lewin. 32 pp/ Simon
& Schuster 2006 ISBN 1-59961-088-4 $15.95 (Preschool)


Intriguing readers from the very start, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, begins when Farmer Brown’s cows discover a typewriter in the barn and start to type. He is astounded and bewildered when the cows begin sending him demands. When Farmer Brown refuses their requests, the cows go on strike and the whole barnyard becomes ensnared in the amusing controversy. Reminiscent of Giggle, Giggle, Quack, Cronin’s innovative, lively storyline and lyrical text achieves an impressive balance of humor and charm. However, the real magic is found in the wild illustrations, which jump off the page and really bring the barnyard to life. Lewin’s splashy watercolors utilize eye-catching contrast, and her witty use of shadow creatively demonstrates the farmer’s growing frustration. Although the use of words such as “ultimatum” may be difficult for young readers, this endearing story’s clever characters and surprise ending will certainly leave audiences of all ages giggling.

Amber Phillips, BGSU student