Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down.

Amazon.com 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

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 203 reviews)

fun!

This is a total gem of subtle hilarity. Imagine your average farm where the cows get a hold of a typewriter and use it to bend their poor farmer to their every whim. The tension that follows the various cow-typed notes leads to a farm animal strike. Who would have thought something so random could make such an intelligent book?
September 27, 2008

An Over and Again Read

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type, written by Doreen Cronin and published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, is a humorous rendition of animal life on the farm. Understanding moo is important in this tale, where cows go on strike and chickens refuse to lay eggs, and a neutral duck delivers messages between the beleaguered farmer and his demanding farm animals. Negotiations are important in this witty story of typewriters and electric blankets, where the big, vivacious pictures grab hold of the imagination and bring the words to life. A book children can read over and over as they interact with the repeated "click, clack, moo" and learn to recognize those sight words to start the journey towards reading on their own. A little book full of great fun that should be placed within easy reach right on the nightstand.
September 16, 2008

Cows, Typewriters and Humor

You'll never look at a typewriter or barnyard animals the same again once you pick up "Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type" by Doreen Cronin (Simon & Schuster, 2000). This incredibly witty and humorous tale of demanding cows on strike sends readers on a journey from one side of the picket line to the other. Kids (along with parents) will laugh hysterically as the cow's quest for electric blankets unfolds and will enjoy reciting "click, clack, moo" along with the text. This Caldecott winner exudes with beautiful watercolor characters and barnyard scenes making the book a pleasure to the eyes along with the funny bone. As soon as you put this book down, you'll pick it right back up again for another read and will soon be hearing "click, clack, moo" in your dreams.
September 13, 2008

Orwell Meets Gary Larson

Farmer Brown's cows are on strike: no milk till they get electric blankets for cold nights in the barn. How does Farmer Brown know? The cows typed a note on the barn typewriter. "Click, clack, moo." Farmer Brown demands milk. The cows type a response: the hens need blankets, too. The barnyard standoff escalates to the increasingly familiar beat of "Click, clack, moo." Children will cheer as the cows' quiet defiance foments an Orwellian barnyard rebellion that brings Farmer Brown to his knees.

Told in straightforward language that captures the archetypal laconic farmer, Doreen Cronin's offbeat tale grows funnier with repeated readings. Betsy Lewin washes her black drawings with warm, earthy watercolors that echo the text's simplicity. Her deft use of shading and shadows evokes the sun-up to sun-down rhythm of farm life. The fluid lines and bright colors recall Matisse, while the cows' wide eyes and thoughtful expressions suggest Gary Larson (or perhaps Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park) and bring the barnyard to life. The cows, chickens, and duck stare dolefully but invitingly out from the page, transporting the reader beside the water trough to join the revolution.
September 12, 2008

Perfect for Preschoolers

Absolutely for preschoolers. My son loved this book almost as much as I did. Everything about this book was adorable- the silliness, the electric blankets, and the diving board. He and I couldn't stop laughing. The reader (most likely the adult) will love how often the neutral party isn't neutral at all. I'm an animal lover, so this book will always have a soft spot in my heart.
August 22, 2008

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