Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

Cows that type?! Hens on strike?! Whoever heard of such things, wonders Farmer Brown, as he deals with the messages left for him by his herd of cows, informing him that they want electric blankets for the cold... and that the chickens do as well! Using the neutral Duck as a negotiator, farmer and animals negotiate, until a compromise is reached. Unfortunately for the farmer, the typewriter falls into the hands of the ducks next...

Originally published in 2000, and chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2001, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a hilariously entertaining picture-book romp! I would imagine that young listeners will get quite a few giggles out of Farmer Brown's outraged incredulity (I know I did!), and will enjoy following show more along as the cows negotiate better living conditions. The artwork by Betsy Lewin builds on the madcap humor of the text perfectly, and is very appealing. Recommended to young children who enjoy stories with a silly sense of humor. show less

This is a funny children's book in which the cows find an old typewriter and send Farmer Brown messages. They express their complaints and ask for electric blankets and other amenities to make their work on the farm more enjoyable. When Farmer Brown refuses to heed their communications, the animals go on strike. Duck is called in to help negotiate, but he has his own agenda.

I laughed out loud when I first read this book. The faces that the farmer makes in his confusion are hilarious. I also thought it was very funny what the animals asked for to make life better.

This story is cleverly written, and the illustrations tell half the story themselves. Children enjoy the drawings that look like a child could have drawn and colored them with show more markers. The repetitive words are fun for early readers or for read-aloud experiences. It could also be a fun way to introduce children to the concept of workers organizing to present grievances and the idea of using strikes to empower workers. It is also a funny book to include in a farm lesson. show less

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewis is a cute parody of Animal Farm aimed at the 4 to 8 set.

Farmer Brown's dairy cattle go on strike after their typewritten demands aren't met. Soon the chickens follow suit and the farmer is told via a note: "Closed. No milk. No eggs." (p. 13)

Cronin's funny story with a rhyming scheme that mimics the sound of an old manual typewriter is paired perfectly with Betsy Lewis's illustrations and the wobbly Courieresque lettering completes the illusion of novices typing on antique equipment.

Unlike Orwell's Animal Farm, the animals don't actually take over the farm to set up their own co-op. The cows, as far as I can tell, don't become the party leaders over a farm show more animal proletariat duped into over throwing one master for another. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is less about revolution and more about labor negotiations.

The ducks, though, they might be planning something. show less

I enjoyed this book during my childhood and I enjoy it now for a few different reasons. The first reason I like this book is because of the descriptive tools the author used like onomatopoeia. Within the first page of the book, the author uses words like CLICK, CLACK, MOO so that there was a beautiful rhetoric effect when reading. Another reason I liked the book was because the structure of the writing, at times, was organized like a letter. This book introduces young readers to the structures and uses of a letter along with what it looks like. The writing in the story also engages readers with humorous backwards scenarios. For example in one letter to Farmer Brown the cows writes “Sorry. We’re closed. No milk today.” These funny show more moments lead to the bigger message that we should treat everyone, including animals, with respect. show less

This is by far one of my all time favorite books. I love this book because the cows take on the personality of people and begin to toe letters to the farmer in order to obtain the things that they want on the farm. Children will love this book being read to them or reading it on their own. It's an easier read for young readers with shorter sentences and bold text. I also love the illustrations because they tell the story and include the notes/letters that the cows type to the farmer. My favorite part of the book is when the cows go on strike and start to demand things for the other farm animals. The big idea of this book is purely for entertainment, and it is really is entertaining to readers of all ages!

Did you know that cows could type? I surely didn't and neither did poor Farmer Brown until one day his cows left him a note and went on strike. "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" is the story of how a group of farm animals find a typewriter and start making demands, demands which get denied repeatedly. Watching the battle of passive aggressive note passing through watercolor illustrations, readers are totally amused by these abnormal animals and this frustrated farmer. From cows with thinking faces to smirking ducks, the illustrations truly help to convey the story to readers. This is a great read for anyone looking for a book with equally amazing illustration and plot.

A children's book that I always seemed to find much funnier than my kids, about farm animals organizing a union and bargaining for better working conditions. As someone who sits at the table in a collective bargaining environment, I found it hilarious. Much better than subsequent "duck" books.