BOOK PICKS.

Byline: The Register-Guard

BOOK PICKS

The Cow Who Clucked

By Denise Fleming

Henry Holt and Co., 2006

Ages 4 to 8

It's morning on the farm. We see Cow peacefully dreaming - dreaming that she's a chicken. When she wakes up, she realizes she has lost her moo.

So begins Cow's search to locate her missing moo. She says "Cluck, cluck" to Dog, who responds with a "Warf, warf." Cow replies, "It is not you who has my moo." She says "Cluck, cluck" to Bee, who says, "Buzzzzzz, buzzzz," and once again Cow responds, "It is not you who has my moo."

Cow meets Cat (`meow, meow'), Fish (`glub, glub'), Duck (`quack, quack') and Goat (`maa, maa'). She also visits Mouse, Snake, Squirrel and Owl. Their replies elicit the same response from Cow, "It is not you who has my moo." As the sun sets, a weary Cow plods into the barn and greets Hen. "Cluck, cluck," says Cow. "Moo, moo," replies Hen. Finally, Cow can say, "It is you who has my moo!" Cow and Hen recover their rightful sounds and all the animals go out to dance under a beautiful Vincent van Gogh-inspired starry sky.

Young children will want to participate when this book is read. They'll happily make animal sounds along with the reader and chime in on the refrain, "It is not you who has my moo." Some may even notice the three little chicks following Cow around - a subplot with clues as to who has Cow's moo.

Denise Fleming is not only tuned in to what resonates with kids, she is also a master illustrator. She "paints" with dyed paper pulp, handmade stencils and squeeze bottles, infusing the paper with stunningly rich, deep color. Her Cow is a luxuriant brown with tiny dots of deep umber and hints of ruby red and brilliant blue around the edges. Snake is a vibrant chartreuse, and the chicks' sunny yellow coloring makes them visually pop off the pages. These various illustrations are a feast for the eyes.

Read this book to young children as well as Fleming's "Barnyard Banter" and John Lawrence's "This Little Chick" for a "farm" full of animal sounds - and a whole lot of fun!

- Susan Jewett, retired

Springfield School District

librarian