Plot Summary - Farmer Brown starts hearing typing sounds coming from the barn. Things get really crazy when his cows start leaving him notes. First, they demand better working conditions, then they stage a strike.
Personal Reaction - I loved this book and couldn't wait to see what would happen in the end. When I read this book to my class of first graders they laughed hysterically.
Memorable Literary Element - The conflict is between Farmer Brown and the cows. The cows are not happy and want better living conditions out in the barn. Farmer Brown and the cows communicate using letters. Typed letters are on the pages of this book.
Illustrations - Betsy Lewin uses watercolors for the illustrations in this book.
Review - From Booklist Lewin's wild line-and-watercolor cartoons are perfectly suited to this barnyard farce about animals that go on strike to demand better working conditions. The cows find an old typewriter in the barn, and to the farmer's fury, they type messages to him: "Dear Farmer Brown. The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets. Sincerely, The Cows." When he refuses their request, they put up a notice: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." The hens are cold, too, so they join the cows--no eggs, either. There are ultimatums, emergency meetings, and a hilarious surprise ending. Today's preschoolers may have to be told about antique clackety typewriters, but they'll love the slapstick of the domesticated animals who get the farmer to toe the line. The thickly outlined pictures extend the fun, with closeups of the frenzied boss, the stalwart cows, and the hens cozy under their plugged-in blankets. Then there are the ducks . . . Hazel Rochman .
Promotion - This book would be a great resource to use when introducing letter writing to primary aged students. Below is a video of the book being read.
Personal Reaction - I loved this book and couldn't wait to see what would happen in the end. When I read this book to my class of first graders they laughed hysterically.
Memorable Literary Element - The conflict is between Farmer Brown and the cows. The cows are not happy and want better living conditions out in the barn. Farmer Brown and the cows communicate using letters. Typed letters are on the pages of this book.
Illustrations - Betsy Lewin uses watercolors for the illustrations in this book.
Review - From Booklist Lewin's wild line-and-watercolor cartoons are perfectly suited to this barnyard farce about animals that go on strike to demand better working conditions. The cows find an old typewriter in the barn, and to the farmer's fury, they type messages to him: "Dear Farmer Brown. The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets. Sincerely, The Cows." When he refuses their request, they put up a notice: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." The hens are cold, too, so they join the cows--no eggs, either. There are ultimatums, emergency meetings, and a hilarious surprise ending. Today's preschoolers may have to be told about antique clackety typewriters, but they'll love the slapstick of the domesticated animals who get the farmer to toe the line. The thickly outlined pictures extend the fun, with closeups of the frenzied boss, the stalwart cows, and the hens cozy under their plugged-in blankets. Then there are the ducks . . . Hazel Rochman .
Promotion - This book would be a great resource to use when introducing letter writing to primary aged students. Below is a video of the book being read.