The Cow Said BOO!
What’s inside...
Two accidents lead to an unfortunate cow being mistaken for a ghost: a stumble into a drying bedsheet and a cold that has turned all her 'moos' to 'boos.' She is able to turn the mishap into an advantage when a suspicious stranger arrives in this humorous rhyming read-aloud. A stuffed-up cow, a rogue bedsheet, and a chantable silly refrain make this a quintessential read-aloud for a lively story time. Poor cow woke up with such a bad cold that every 'moo' comes out as 'boo!' When she stumbles into a sheet hanging from the clothesline, her barnyard friends mistake her for a spooky ghost and run away. But the cow is able to bravely turn this misunderstanding to her advantage when a truly scary intruder arrives at the farm. In The Cow Said BOO!, author Lana Button delivers a silly read-aloud for a not-so-spooky Halloween, or any time of year. Written in playful rhyme that will shine at an interactive story time, the text includes a repeated refrain that will have listeners chiming in with many an exuberant, 'The cow said, BOO!' Watercolor illustrations by Alice Carter catch both the eye and the heart with their humor and energy. Closing scenes of the animal friends nursing the cow back to health bring a tender lull to the riotous story time—until a final twist dissolves the peace in giggles once again.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the cow said 'BOO!' instead of 'MOO!'?
How do you think the other animals felt when they heard the cow? What would you feel if you were there?
What do you think the story tells us about being different?
Can you think of a time when you did something unexpected? How did others react?
What would you say to the cow if you were one of the other animals?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for each animal to make the story more lively and engaging.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they chose that particular scene or character.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next after the story ends, enhancing their imagination and critical thinking.
Relate the story to real-life situations where your child stood out or felt different, making the discussion more personal and reflective.
Compliment your child on thoughtful answers or unique ideas they share, reinforcing their confidence in expressing themselves.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing individuality
Explanation: In 'The Cow Said BOO!', the cow surprises everyone by saying 'BOO' instead of 'moo', illustrating that it's okay to be different and unique.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate their own unique qualities and feel confident expressing themselves, even if it means standing out from the crowd.
Example Lesson: Courage to try new things
Explanation: The story encourages taking risks as the cow tries something unconventional, teaching kids the value of stepping out of their comfort zone.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to try new activities or ways of thinking, fostering a growth mindset.
Example Lesson: Impact of actions on others
Explanation: The cow’s unusual 'BOO' impacts the other farm animals, showing children how their actions can affect those around them.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of considering others' feelings and the consequences of their actions in social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of humor
Explanation: The playful nature of the cow’s 'BOO' introduces humor, demonstrating that laughter and fun are valuable.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to integrate humor into daily interactions, improving social bonds and overall happiness.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The book showcases various reactions from the farm animals, teaching that everyone responds differently and that’s perfectly acceptable.
Real-World Application: Children learn to respect and accept differences in others, which is crucial for developing empathy and social skills.