What Does Cow Say? by Joan Holub - Review and Book Giveaway

June is Dairy Month, and it's a pretty big deal here in America's Dairyland. Almost all the counties hold special dairy farm breakfasts this month. Last year we went to a breakfast on a farm that housed over 800 calves. While the breakfast was delicious what the kids really loved was picking their favorites and watching the workers bottle feed all those calves! Cows are definitely a familiar sight in Wisconsin. Even as tiny tikes my kids could point out a cow from a mile away and noticed all the cows in our picture books. Farm themed books are still a hit in our home.

What Does Cow Say? by Joan Holub, illustrated by Jannie Ho. Cartwheel Books (January 2011); ISBN 9780545274425; 18 pages; board book
Book Source: Review copy provided by author

Morning dawned and the sun came back, which woke up DUCK who went QUACK QUACK!"

I'm convinced that every baby should own a board book that shows farm animals and also encourages them to learn the different the animal sounds. What Does a Cow Say?, a nice-sized board book, not only features eight different farm animals and each of the animal sounds, but it also is a fun, interactive book with lift-the-flap mouths. As morning arrives, Duck is the first animal to wake up and all the other animals follow suit. The repeating text follows this pattern: "which woke up ____ who went ______." Each page spread shows a different animal -- duck, rooster, cow, cat, dog, sheep, donkey and pony, centered on a colorful, patterned background.

I especially like board books with a simple, repetitive text because it's easy for a young child to repeat and memorize, a helpful early reading skill. Jannie Ho did an excellent job with the illustrations in this one. The large, cartoonish animals really catch your eye, and I love how she included shapes in the colorful backgrounds so that parents can use the book not only to teach animal sounds, but shapes and colors! The book is solidly constructed and the flaps look like they are designed to stand up to typical toddler wear and tear. Even though my son is nearing the end of his board book phase, he still enjoys reading this one quite a lot and likes making the animal sounds and pointing out all the colors and shapes.

Joan Holub writes books for all ages of children and has authored and/or illustrated over 130 books. Currently her Goddess Girls series is very popular with tween girls. Aphrodite the Diva (book six in the series) releases this August. And I just noticed yesterday that her picture book Zero the Hero, set to release next year, is illustrated Tom Lichtenheld (the author I featured on my blog yesterday)! I know we'll be looking out for that picture book next February.

Related Links:
Joan Holub Website
Joan Holub Blog
Jannie Ho Website



Joan Holub has kindly offered to giveaway a farm-themed prize pack that includes a signed copy of the What Does Cow Say? board book, a small plush cow, and a barn carrycase.


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