Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cronin, D. and Lewin, B. 2000. Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. (First Edition). Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN-10: 9780689832130

PLOT SUMMARY

Doreen Cronin creates a witty and comical children’s fictional story in Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. The setting takes place on a farm (a common place for children’s books), but there is an unexpected twist when the animals go on strike. The conflict arises when the cows get their hooves on an old typewriter in the barn. The farmer is infuriated by the cow’s notes with daily requests to be provided with electric blankets for the cold nights. The cows and chickens go on strike! The farmer simply wants eggs and milk from his barn animals without taking consideration of their needs. Both the barn animals and the farmer are irritated with each other’s demands which makes it difficult to arrive at a conclusion. As a result, the “neutral” farm animal, the duck, proposes an ultimatum to serve as a solution for all. In the ending, the cows trade in the typewriter for electric blankets…but the ducks take over the typewriter.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Illustrator, Betsy Lewin, sets a modern twist to the typical children’s story through her drawings. The illustrations are colorful, kid friendly, and at the same type convey a hint of humor that can be appreciated as the story goes along. Paying close attention to detail, Lewin, shows the conflict between characters. To go along with the cow’s strike note, “Sorry. We’re closed. No milk today” the illustrator includes a shadow of an extremely delirious farmer and his cows wide eyed at his reaction.

Cronin delivers the perspective of barn animals and their necessities in a very unconventional way. Cows that are so modern they can type and go on strike, will make children laugh, but at the same time think of the animal’s point of view. The resolution contributes to the story’s over all theme of compromising in order to take care of everybody’s needs.

REVIEW EXCERPT

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Cronin humorously turns the tables on conventional barnyard dynamics; Lewin's bold, loose-lined watercolors set a light and easygoing mood that matches Farmer Brown's very funny predicament.”

CONNECTIONS

*Have students create a list of some of the issues they believe are worth going on strike and compromising for. Display them in the library.

*Encourage children to read more books that include unconventional characters with a cause.

Cronin, D. and Lewin, B. 2004. Duck for President. (First Edition). Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN-10: 0689863772