Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin is Cronin's first picture book which was named a Caldecott Honor book in 2001 and was also a New York Times Bestseller. Farmer Brown hears the sounds from a typewriter all day because he can’t get his cows to stop typing. The repetitive noises of the typewriter were irritating, but he really could not believe that the cows were typing him notes. In the first note, the cows requested electric blankets because their barn was cold at night. He remembered leaving an old typewriter in the barn, and he was surprised enough that they had found it, but he said no to their request. Unfortunately for Farmer Brown, the cows refused to give him milk with another note taped on the barn door exclaiming that the hens were also cold and that they needed electric blankets, as well. The hens refused eggs. On his typewriter, the farmer wrote a reply and stayed strong proclaiming that he would not fulfill their wishes because they were cows and hens. A new character, Duck emerges to take Farmer Brown’s note to the cows. The cows had a meeting and decided to send the typewriter with the duck as soon as they had their electric blankets. He did as he was told, and waited for Duck. Unfortunately, the duck typed a note requesting a diving board for the pond because it was boring. The last picture in the book shows the duck diving into the pond from a diving board.
I am fond of the pictures and think that the illustrations are eye catching and accurate. I appreciate the angry looks on the faces of the hens, cows, and the farmer because they depict the conflict, and we can almost see the wheels turning in Duck's mind when he goes to take Farmer Brown’s note to the cows. I especially enjoyed that all of the barnyard animals listened to the emergency meeting held by the cows and could not figure out what was going on because they could not speak “moo.” I find the book witty and appealing to young readers, but I do think that the book conveys a message of manipulation. The book has comedic situations and is entertaining, but do we really want our children to be deceitful to get what they want when they want it? This does not change the book’s illustrations or the humor in the story, but I am not sure that if I was a parent that I would buy this book for my child.
I suppose it is admirable that the cows had enough good sense to outsmart the farmer, especially if he was not taking adequate care of the barnyard animals, and they were cold. They give him the things that he needs, so he should provide them with what they need to stay comfortable. I am glad that they could reach a negotiation, but the poor farmer is then manipulated by another character. My reaction to this book likely comes from teaching. Students often demand things, often ridiculous requests to do what you ask of them, and while Farmer Jones is depicted as mean and hateful, teachers are sometimes as well. Students will say “If you let me go to the bathroom, I’ll do my work.” I didn’t know that there was a children’s book that taught them this negotiation tactic.
Doreen Cronin is also the author of Duck for President and Giggle Giggle Quack. Both of these books were also illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Diary of a Worm was illustrated by Harry Bliss. Giggle Giggle Quack is a sequel to Click Clack Moo Cows That Type, and I liked it a little bit better, but I can’t decide if Duck is a stereotypical figure and used for entertainment purposes or if children should be keenly aware of his behavior and not repeat it. The bad thing is that Duck is never disciplined or faces any repercussions. In this book, Farmer Brown leaves his brother in charge of the animals and Duck rewrites the instructions on how to take care of the animals to his benefit, and while there is no real harm, the animals were inappropriately cared for.
This book opened my eyes to the fact that people have differing opinions of the appropriate content of children’s books. I noticed that a lot of my classmates chose to review this book in their journals, also, and though I haven’t read all of them, yet, I bet that most of them were fond of the book. It was a Caldecott Honor book, so many people must have liked it. It was my least favorite of the ones that I have read so far. Though I love animals and am usually a big fan of them in children’s books, I just didn’t enjoy this one as much.
References
Cronin, D. (2000). Click clack moo cows that type. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
