First Week of Cow School - a book review

"If you have never said, "Excuse me to a parking meter or bashed your shins on a fireplug, you are probably wasting too much valuable reading time."
                                ~Sherri



Title:  First Week of Cow School
Author:  Andy Cutbill
Illustrator:  Russell Ayto
Ages:  3-5  (PS-K)

About the book:

This is a sequel to "The Cow That Laid An Egg."  Marjorie, the mother cow did indeed lay an egg and out of it hatched, Daisy.  Daisy the cow, just happens to look like a chicken...yes, you heard correctly...a chicken.  It is time for little Daisy to go off to Cow School and the first week is very hectic for her.  She has great difficulty fitting in and doing what the other cows are capable of achieving.  Doesn't surprise me much when she is not a cow!  You have to give her an A+ for trying.

She cannot hoof paint, swat flies with her tail, her cud chewing is a disaster and don't get me started on cowpat training.  She struggles and limps along and then begins to feel defeated and like a failure.  One skill that is dangled before her by Miss Gold-Top, her teacher, puts her in at "high" school level...and it be"hooves" her to give it a try in front of the rest of the class.  She passes with "flying" colours.

This book teaches us that individuality is special and we should appreciate that characteristic in ourselves and especially in others around us.  The book gives a wonderful life lesson of acceptance all submerged in wacky, fun illustrations that are very appealing to the funny bone for sure.  You will laugh and giggle as you follow Daisy (and her mom) through her first week at Cow School.

About the author:

• Andy Cutbill
  Andy Cutbill was born near London in 1972. He read Art at university and then did post-graduate studies in Art Direction. After several years creating television commercials, he started writing children's animation and picture books. In conjuction with Cosgrove Hall Films, Andy created and developed the award-winning animated television series, Albie, for CITV. Andy lives on Dartmoor in Devon with his wife, son and daughter.
  
  

About the illustrator:

Russell Ayto

Illustrator

Richard Ayto is an English illustrator of children's books including many picture books. Wikipedia

Born: 1960, Chichester, United Kingdom

Books: The Witch's Children and the Queen

Nominations: Kate Greenaway Medal

Book Review Rating:   8  (Fantastic!)

Things to have a conversation about when reading this book to your child:

* Why do you think Daisy thought she was a cow?

*Is she a cow?  What is she really?

* How did Daisy feel when she couldn't do what the other cows were doing?  Have you ever felt that way? 

*Is there someone in your class you think may sometimes feels like Daisy?

* If so, how do you help them?

Read on and read always!   Have an excellent day!