First Week at Cow School

K-Gr 2—Marjorie the cow and her unusual daughter, Daisy, who hatched from an egg in The Cow That Laid an Egg (HarperCollins, 2008), are back. On the first day of Cow School, Miss Gold-Top joyously welcomes her students, including the chick, and begins with a lesson in hoof painting. The week proceeds with attempts at cowpat training, cud chewing, and "moosic and moovement." Daisy just can't get the hang of her assignments. The mothers, watching from outside, remark, "It's almost as if she wasn't a cow at all." Poor Daisy feels dejected, but her chicken friends finally come to her rescue. On Friday morning, at their insistence, Miss Gold-Top leads the class in flying lessons. Of course Daisy excels, surprising everyone with her aerial skills. The week ends on a high note and she announces that when she grows up she hopes to be a chicken. The laugh-out-loud narrative is supplemented by eclectic and quirky illustrations. The colors, patterns, and facial expressions incorporated into the collagelike cartoon spreads aptly reflect the determination and enthusiasm of the students as they tackle each lesson. Pair this lighthearted barnyard tale with Doreen Cronin's Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (S & S, 2000) for a fun-filled storyhour.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA