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Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type Book Review

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Book review by Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 4+

Farm animals go on strike in funny, award-winning book.

Doreen Cronin Picture Book 2000

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a Caldecott Honor Book that spawned numerous sequels featuring the independent-thinking barnyard animals on Farmer Brown's farm, including Dooby Dooby Moo and Duck for President. Its irreverent humor's timeless, even though today's kids may be unfamiliar with typewriter technology! Parents may need to explain the concept of going on strike, but even preschoolers know about standing up to authority and refusing to do what's expected of them. They may even learn a bit about the art of negotiation and getting what you want through give and take rather than fights and tantrums.

Community Reviews

grandmareader Adult

December 3, 2018

age 4+

One of my favorite children's books!

This is a funny and clever book about animals typing up their requests for the farmer, but on another level it is about going on strike, selecting someone to represent you, stating your grievances, and changing working conditions. In other words, even an older audience would enjoy this smart book.

What's the Story?

The animals on Farmer Brown's farm find a typewriter and the Cows type a request: \"Dear Farmer Brown, The barn is very cold at night. We'd like dome electric blankets. Sincerely, the Cows.\" The farmer types a note in response -- \"No way\" -- and tacks it on the barn door. So the animals go on strike: The Cows refuse to give milk and the Hens refuse to give eggs. A few notes go back and forth, then Duck finally offers to trade the typewriter for electric blankets and the strike's over. But then Duck demands a diving board for the pond.

Is It Any Good?

CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE is funny, clever, offbeat, silly and all around delightful. Kids will enjoy seeing those who are bossed around stand up for themselves and resist. And they'll also get a lesson in how to negotiate and get your way without throwing a tantrum. This modern classic inspired the sequels Giggle, Giggle, Quack; Dooby Dooby Moo; Thump, Quack, Moo; the Halloween-themed Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat, and Duck for President.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to go on strike. What demands might be on your list, and what might you trade to get your way?

  • Have you read any of the other books in this series featuring the Cows, Duck, and Farmer Brown? How does this one compare?

  • What's funny about cows using a typewriter? Have you ever seen one or used one? How's a typewriter different from a computer?

Book Details

  • Author: Doreen Cronin
  • Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
  • Genre: Picture Book
  • Topics: Horses and Farm Animals
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Little Simon
  • Publication date: February 1, 2000
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 8
  • Number of pages: 32
  • Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Award: Caldecott Medal and Honors
  • Last updated: December 14, 2018

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Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type

None Read along about when the cows unite to improve their working conditions. Click, clack, moo! Click, clack, moo! Clickety, clack, moo! Farmer Brown can’t believe his ears. “Cows that type?” he says. Then he sees what they’re typing—their demands! It gets cold in the barn at night so they want electric blankets! Farmer Brown refuses to meet their demands and receives another note. The cows go on strike—no milk! Cows refusing to give milk? They’re cows! Farmer Brown still refuses and gets ANOTHER typed note. Now the hens are getting involved. Read along to this amusing story about a farmer in a demanding situation. Who do you agree with? Why? show full description Show Short Description

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Full Text

Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo. At first, he couldn’t believe his ears. Cows that type? Impossible! Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo. Then, he couldn’t believe his eyes. \t“Dear Farmer Brown, \tThe barn is very cold at night. \tWe’d like some electric blankets. \tSincerely, \tThe Cows” It was bad enough the cows had found the old typewriter in the barn. Now they wanted electric blankets! “No way,” said Farmer Brown. “No electric blankets.” So the cows went on strike. They left a note on the barn door: \t“Sorry. \tWe’re closed. \tNo milk today.” “No milk today!” cried Farmer Brown. In the background, he heard the cows busy at work: Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo. The next day, he got another note: “Dear Farmer Brown, The hens are cold too. They’d like electric blankets. Sincerely, The Cows” The cows were growing impatient with the farmer. They left a new note on the barn door: “Closed. No Milk. No Eggs.” “No eggs!” cried Farmer Brown. In the background he heard them. Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo. “Cows that type. Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing? How can I run a farm with no milk and no eggs?” Farmer Brown was furious. Farmer Brown got out his own typewriter. “Dear Cows and Hens: There will be no electric blankets. You are cows and hens. I demand milk and eggs. Sincerely, Farmer Brown” Duck was a neutral party, so he brought the ultimatum to the cows. The cows held an emergency meeting. All the animals gathered around the barn to snoop, but none of them could understand Moo. All night long, Farmer Brown waited for an answer. Duck knocked on the door early the next morning. He handed Farmer Brown a note: “Dear Farmer Brown, We will exchange our typewriter for electric blankets. Leave them outside the barn door and we will send Duck over with the typewriter. Sincerely, The Cows” Farmer Brown decided this was a good deal. He left the blankets next to the barn door and waited for Duck to come with the typewriter. The next morning he got a note: Dear Farmer Brown, The pond is quite boring. We’d like a diving board. Sincerely, The Ducks Click, clack, quack. Click, clack, quack. Clickety, clack, quack.

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