CLICK CLACK MOO COWS THAT TYPE Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cronin, Doreen. 2001. CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE. Ill. By Betsy Lewin. New York: Scholastic Books ISBN 0439216486

SUMMARY:
“Farmer Brown has a problem.” His cows have learned to type and they are using their new talent to make demands. They want better (warmer) working conditions and when Farmer Brown refuses to comply, they go on strike. They make even more demands. Finally, they compromised with the cows getting part of their demands and Farmer Brown getting the Typewriter. But the story doesn’t end there because the cows send the machine via a neutral party, a duck, who takes it home and learns to type before making demands of his own.

ANALYSIS:
According to Leonard Marcus, it was the author/illustrator team of Scieszka, Smith, and Leach that began using bold type, in multi-colors or variable sized type in 1992. Many illustrators began using the effect to enhance their books and illustrations. Conin’s book is one such example. In addition, the typed demand letters were used as the spot for the text.
The expression on the cows during the negotiations are priceless. They started out wide eyed, anxious about the farmer’s reaction. They quickly become determined. Finally, they are content.
It was ironic for the duck to learn to type and write demands considering the farmer is the one who brought him in as a neutral party.

REVIEW:
Horn Book review: Farmer Brown's cows find an old typewriter, and before you can say, "Click, clack, moo," they're typing a request for electric blankets--the barn gets cold at night. When the elderly farmer refuses, they tack another typewritten message to the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." Soon the hens join the strike and begin withholding eggs. Farmer Brown types up his own response, which is delivered by a neutral party--a duck--and things seem to reach a satisfying resolution.

From Publishers Weekly: Plucky barnyard denizens unite to improve their working conditions in this hilarious debut picture book from Cronin (appropriately enough, an attorney). Farmer Brown is dumbfounded when his cows discover an old typewriter in the barn and begin experimenting ("All day long he hears click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety clack moo"). Things really get out of hand when the cows began airing their grievances. Lewin (Araminta's Paint Box) conveys the fellow's shock as he reads: "Dear Farmer Brown, The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets. Sincerely, The Cows." When Farmer Brown denies the cows' request, the bovine organizers go on strike. Through the use of the man's shadow, Lewin communicates his rage: the straw in his hat creates the appearance of his hair on end. With help from a neutral duck mediator, the exasperated Farmer Brown finally makes concessions. But, much to his dismay, the cows are not the only creatures that can type. 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. Kids and underdogs everywhere will cheer for the clever critters that calmly and politely stand up for their rights, while their human caretaker becomes more and more unglued. Ages 3-7. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

CONNECTIONS:
If you want to demonstrate how negotiations can work, this story demonstrates the concept in a light hearted way.
Find nonfiction books about farming, milk cows, or chickens. Find out what types of care they need. Do farmers heat their barns? Blanket their animals? Learn what types of problems create a situation where chickens stop producing eggs and cows stop producing milk.