CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cronin, Doreen, and Betsy Lewin. Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2000. ISBN: 0060588292

PLOT SUMMARY

This book was about a farmer who had cows who could type on the typewriter. Because they could type, the cows decided to communicate to the farmer some requests through their new found way of communication. As a result, the farmer wasn't happy with the cows for making requests through the typewriter, but since the cows were tenacious and got other farm animals involved, he eventually conceded and let them have their way. He found it was easier to accommodate the requests of the animals, rather than not get milk, because the cows had gone on strike, or not get eggs, since the cows got the hens involved in the situation.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This was a good story that used a lot of figurative language. Personification was demonstrated through the cows and hens, since they were able to type and communicate with the farmer. Onomatopoeia was also used repetitively with the words, “clickety clack” and “moo.”

The illustrations in the book added to the telling of this story. The author and illustrator depicted the words written on the page through the colorful pictures, so a child could understand the story without having to actually read it. The illustrations were also very colorful to keep a child's attention while an adult read the story to them. The use of the cartoon-like illustrations also helped children understand the different sounds of animals.

Figurative language is an important aspect of any piece of literature. Without it, literature would be considered boring, and even our everyday speech would be uninteresting to our ears. It is very important, and this story displayed how to properly use it and add to the telling of a story.

This was an enjoyable story for all readers with the use of personification and onomatopoeia. It also had a lesson about treating others well, because a person never knows when they may need someone's help. This was shown through the relationship with the farm animals and the farmer in a funny and subtle way that made the reader want to read it, again.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book

Named one of the Best Children's Books 2000 by Publisher's Weekly

CONNECTIONS

*Understand figurative language, specifically personification and onomatopoeia by reading the story

*Use this story to learn about word families

*Other books for children about animals and figurative language:

Cronin, Doreen. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. ISBN 0689832133

Henkes, Kevin. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ISBN 078681988X