Module #6: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

Book Summary
What happens when the cows on Farmer Brown's farm learn to read and write and type?  They leave notes demanding certain improvements, of course. 

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

Impressions
Cronin's humorous story of barnyard animals who band together over a typewriter and their new-found delight in the power of sending messages delights young readers, teens, and adults.  Lewin's water color images with bold tracings convey the expressiveness of both Farmer Brown and his animals as messages are sent and received.  The simply repeated phrase, "click, clack, moo" sets the book's light-hearted rhythm, inviting readers to participate whenever the familiar stanza appears, accentuated with large and bold font.  Older readers might even recognize some parallel's with George Orwell's Animal Farm and enjoy discussing the irony of Farmer Brown's situation and the pigs from the classical novel. 

Professional Reviews
Section: Focus On: COMMUNITY

PRESCHOOL - GRADE 4

CRONIN, Doreen.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.
illus. by Betsy Lewin.
S. & S. 2000.
RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-83213-3.

K-Gr 3-- 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 [Review of the book Click, clack, moo:  cows that type]. School Library Journal, 51(9), 58.

Library Uses
Use this text alongside Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's other works including Duck for President and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (all which take place in Farmer Brown's barnyard) for students to explore the work of one author/ illustrator team more in depth.