Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin collaborate Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a wonderfully entertaining Caldecott Honor book published in 2000. The book follows the plight of Farmer Brown, whose cows have discovered a typewriter that allows them to communicate with the farmer. The cows use their newfound skills to air their grievances about the barn. Strikes and negotiations ensue. The tale captures issues of power and negotiation while remaining funny and engaging. The illustrations in this book perfectly match the feel of the text. The watercolor paintings filling each page capture the lightness of the story. Further, Lewin's use of shadows and contrasting colors add to the story in really entertaining ways. The adorable farm animals teem with personality on each page.
This book seems to be best suited to younger children (ages 2-6), though I think it can be entertaining for people of all ages (in fact, I read it to everyone I could since I first picked it up: twenty-somethings love it!). I could see myself using this book as a way to talk about fairness, justice, or even just the power of written communication, if not just for the sheer enjoyment of it. I can't wait to find more of Cronin and Lewin's collaborations, not to mention to see more of the hilarious situations that the Cows, the Hens and Duck get themselves, and maybe even Farmer Brown into (see http://www.thumpquackmoo.com/tqm/index.html for more information about their most recent book or http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Doreen-Cronin/1569483/books for a complete list).
Are Cronin and Lewin's collaborations a collection of interrelated stories or just stories with similar vibes? I love the imagery on the cover, and can see why this would be a fun and silly book. You're welcome to read it to me anytime!
ReplyDeleteGreat book! Great series! Great review! Kim, your enthusiasm jumps off the page. Love the message of collaboration and social action. Just look at the group effort in typing on that cover page. Purposeful, meaningful writing is going on in that farm. We've used this book during a post office / letter unit and brought in a few typewriters scrounged from yard sales. The act and sound of typing is SO satisfying for little ones and the typewriters themselves are such novelties that much "writing" takes place. A very fun book!
ReplyDeleteLet me just say that this is an amazing book to read aloud, even for those (like me) who are young at heart. I like that you included ways that this book could be used in the classroom and is a great way to show the power of writing, literacy, and communication...even among cows.
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