1. Bibliography
Cronin, Doreen. 2000. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689832130
2. Plot Summary
When Farmer Brown’s cows find a typewriter in the barn, they begin making demands for electric blankets and go on strike. The cows include the hens in their demands; the hens also go on strike. When Farmer Brown finally relents to the cows demands in exchange for the typewriter, the typewriter is intercepted by the ducks who make a demand for a diving board.
3. Critical Analysis
Cronin’s unexpected storyline of cows typing and requesting electric blankets because “the barn is very cold at night” is entertaining. The use of notes on the barn door is a creative way to introduce readers to a variety of text within the story. The repetitive “Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickity, clack, moo.” helps young readers understand the sounds of a real typewriter. Cronin uses teamwork between the cows and hens to increase the level of conflict as the story develops. The surprise ending provides the reader with more unexpected humor.
The watercolor illustrations provide a colorful backdrop to the lively text. Lewin’s paintings of the animals and Farmer Brown add perspective to the story. The illustrations portray the cows with innocent eyes as they gather around the typewriter to write their requests. The illustrations also further express Farmer Brown’s frustration with the animals as they strike.
4. Review Excerpts
Caldecott Honor Book
ALA Notable/Best Books
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.”
Starred review in Horn Book: “The illustrations (splashy watercolor washes) and economical prose are equally delightful.”
Starred review in School Library Journal: “A laugh-out-loud look at life on a very funny farm.”
5. Connections
· Discuss vocabulary such as “neutral party” and “ultimatum.”
· Read other books by Cronin and Lewin, such as
Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: an Alphabetical Adventure. ISBN 0689877153
Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: a Counting Adventure. ISBN 0689877161
Giggle, Giggle, Quack. ISBN 0689845065
Dooby Dooby Moo. ISBN 0689845073
Duck for President. ISBN 0689863772
· Read nonfiction books about animal communication:
Carter, Kyle. Animals that Talk. ISBN 1559161159
Kalman, Bobbie. How Animals Communicate. ISBN 0865057354
Cronin, Doreen. 2000. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689832130
2. Plot Summary
When Farmer Brown’s cows find a typewriter in the barn, they begin making demands for electric blankets and go on strike. The cows include the hens in their demands; the hens also go on strike. When Farmer Brown finally relents to the cows demands in exchange for the typewriter, the typewriter is intercepted by the ducks who make a demand for a diving board.
3. Critical Analysis
Cronin’s unexpected storyline of cows typing and requesting electric blankets because “the barn is very cold at night” is entertaining. The use of notes on the barn door is a creative way to introduce readers to a variety of text within the story. The repetitive “Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickity, clack, moo.” helps young readers understand the sounds of a real typewriter. Cronin uses teamwork between the cows and hens to increase the level of conflict as the story develops. The surprise ending provides the reader with more unexpected humor.
The watercolor illustrations provide a colorful backdrop to the lively text. Lewin’s paintings of the animals and Farmer Brown add perspective to the story. The illustrations portray the cows with innocent eyes as they gather around the typewriter to write their requests. The illustrations also further express Farmer Brown’s frustration with the animals as they strike.
4. Review Excerpts
Caldecott Honor Book
ALA Notable/Best Books
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.”
Starred review in Horn Book: “The illustrations (splashy watercolor washes) and economical prose are equally delightful.”
Starred review in School Library Journal: “A laugh-out-loud look at life on a very funny farm.”
5. Connections
· Discuss vocabulary such as “neutral party” and “ultimatum.”
· Read other books by Cronin and Lewin, such as
Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: an Alphabetical Adventure. ISBN 0689877153
Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: a Counting Adventure. ISBN 0689877161
Giggle, Giggle, Quack. ISBN 0689845065
Dooby Dooby Moo. ISBN 0689845073
Duck for President. ISBN 0689863772
· Read nonfiction books about animal communication:
Carter, Kyle. Animals that Talk. ISBN 1559161159
Kalman, Bobbie. How Animals Communicate. ISBN 0865057354
