A Particular Cow– Mem Fox Book

Bibliography:

Fox, Mem. 2006. A PARTICULAR COW. Ill. by Terry Denton. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books. ISBN 0-15-200250-2.

Plot Summary:

This is a hysterical book about an adorable cow that goes on a walk on a sunny Saturday morning but runs into some very unlikely trouble.  She walks right into a pair of bloomers hanging on a clothes line that covers her eyes so she can’t see where she is going.  She creates havoc as she runs into a postman and his mail, a pack of dogs and a wedding to name a few.  She has no idea what craziness she is causing with not being able to see because of those darn bloomers covering her eyes!

Critical Analysis:

There is something so innocent about the way the cow in A Particular Cow looks and acts, it’s lovable and endearing.  She’s just innocently going for a walk but accidentally causes all sorts of havoc without really realizing it because the poor thing can’t see beyond the bloomers that have gotten stuck on her head.  The word particular describes the cow and everyone and everything she comes across while on her walk.  Repetition of words is important when teaching vocabulary to children; they will remember the word particular and have a clear idea of what it means after reading this book. 

What’s so great about the plot line in this story is you never know what she’s going to come across.  How unlikely is it that a cow would get a pair of bloomers stuck on her head and then cross paths with a couple getting married, a postman, a group of sailors and a pack of dogs?  The storyline keeps you guessing what she will get herself into next which creates a great story.  The story is not a complicated one, it’s simple, but it’s amusing and fun to read.  There isn’t a lesson or message to be learned or a balance between good and evil which is a bit unfortunate.  If a teacher or parent was reading this book they couldn’t have a discussion about much to teach a lesson.  It’s just a simple, cute book.

The wedding scene in the book is what I would consider to be a traditional wedding, white dress, arch the couple stands under, so if a child from a different part of the world where weddings do not look like this they might find it to be interesting.  Other than this the customs and traditions are pretty Americanized.

Because the author lives in Australia but grew up in Zimbabwe I thought there would be influences of either in the illustrations or characters but I couldn’t find anything.  The setting, the animals and people are rather generic; nothing shows any influence of Australia or Zimbabwe which is rather disappointing.   The illustrations overall are adorable, very colorful and a lot to look at but I do not find them to be rich in cultural details or diversity.   

Review Awards and Excerpts:

“A read-aloud gem, this uproarious picture book contains an absurdly appropriate plot.” – Publisher’s Weekly Review

“The cartoon illustrations bounce with energy and are suffused with warm colors. Udders and undies combine to make this funny read-aloud a sure hit.” – School Library Journal Review

Connections:

·         I would use this book as part of a cow storytime theme.  This is a cute book with colorful illustrations that a young group of children would find cute.  As you are reading the book you could ask the children what they think the cow will run into next.  You could also ask them what they would do if they came across a cow running around with bloomers on her head.  It is a fun book for young children to point out actions and the craziness this cow causes.

·         If a teacher was doing a “write your own short story” lesson this book would be a good one to use.  It’s a good example of how to write an amusing story with such a simple storyline.  This story and illustrations show how a simple concept can be highly amusing and a great little story.



A Book of Coupons – Batchelder Award novel

Bibliography:

Morgenstern, Susie. 2001. A BOOK OF COUPONS. Ill. by Serge Bloch. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-670-89970-4.

Plot Summary:

Monsieur Noel is a new teacher at Marie Curie School in France.  As the children enter the class on the first day they are shocked their new teacher is not young and athletic but old and fat.  Monsieur Noel does not greet the class like any other teacher would but instead he greets them with his big booming voice and tells the class he’s brought a present for each child.  Each child is presented with a book of coupons to be used at any time during the current school year; once the school year ends the coupons expire.  The children are shocked to read that the coupons can be used for such things as sleeping late one morning, skipping a day of school, sleeping in class one time and eating in class one time!  The principal, Madame Incarnation Perez, soon discovers the coupon books and sets out to force Monsieur Noel into retirement.  Monsieur Noel teaches the students many lessons in a very unconventional, fun way that has the children wanting to be in class!

Critical Analysis:

Monsieur Noel and Madame Incarnation Perez are well developed characters; anyone who has gone through school, regardless of what country, can probably imagine a teacher or principle that reminds them of these two characters.  The children reacted just the way you would expect children to react when they see that their teacher for a whole year is not a young, athletic person that they can admire but old and fat.  They are disappointed and think this is going to be the most boring school year and they will never get to go to recess or the gym.  Principals are often seen as mean and looking to yell at people and get them in trouble and Madame Incarnation Perez lives up to that stereotype! 

This story is identifiable to children and adults who have been in a school classroom because it’s true to life; the addition of Monsieur Noel and his fabulous coupons adds an exciting element to a rather bland classroom setting.   Even though the setting is France, the translation of teachers, school and children is easily transitioned into an English translation.  The idea of giving coupons for skipping school, sleeping late and eating in class are universal things that all kids want to be able to do regardless of where they live. 

The style of writing translates well from French to English; obviously children in America don’t say Monsieur or Madame when addressing adults.  The one phrase that stood out to me that is not very American is “making love,” this is not a term found in children’s books often or something that is discussed in children’s books unless it’s a specific type of book.  It is known that the French are much more open when discussing this topic unlike Americans.   

The black and white drawings in this book add a nice element to the story.  This is a traditional chapter book but it’s nice to see drawings to help express or emphasize parts of the story.  It’s not common for elementary school children to read Charles Dickens so it’s nice to have an illustration emphasizing the dramatic element in Dickens’ work.  The illustrations add to the overall story, they do not distract or cause wonder of whether the book is closer to a picture book, it’s a nice addition. 

Overall the book is well written, the story and lessons learned are very valuable.  I like when Monsieur Noel asks the class who he admires most, the students without any coupons left or the ones with all their coupons left?  He explains that if the students used their coupons then they were living life, they were having experiences, getting out there and learning new things.  There is a great lesson to this story that many children need to remember.  There are a lot of adults who need to be reminded of this lesson too, this is a great book to read as a family as a reminder to get out and live life, have experiences and have fun doing it. 

I think the children in this book could have been a bit more developed, I felt like they were jumbled together as just a class of students with random names thrown into the text.  I would have liked to have felt as much of a connection to the children as I did Monsieur Noel.  I love how Monsieur Noel is described, it makes him such a huggable, loveable character, just like Santa as he states in the story.   Because this book was originally written in French I imagined I would see more of a French influence in the story but I did not and that was disappointing.  I would have liked to have learned something that was specifically French but nothing besides Monsieur and Madame jumped out as being “French.”

Review Awards and Excerpts:

ALA Notable Book

1999 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book

Booklist Editors’ Choice Book

American Bookseller “Pick of the List”

Connections:

·         I would have children create a coupon book like Monsieur Noel and Charles created but create it for someone who would appreciate the coupons, possibly someone going through a difficult time.  I would have a discussion with the group to see what they felt the meaning of giving coupons to someone could mean and how it could positively impact that person.  A coupon book could be used by a child’s family to do fun things together, there are many different ways and reasons to create coupon books that can help someone or bring a family together.