The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down [Hardcover]

Paul Brett Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993 | Age Level: 4 and up

Miss Rosemary, a farmer of some experience, hasn't the slightest notion how to milk a flying cow. And that's what Gertrude has become. Miss Rosemary calls to Gertrude to come down--but Gertrude is having too much fun. How Miss R. lures her cow to earth is the second-to-last surprise in this rambunctious picture book. Full color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Johnson's impressively polished first book tells a merry and mirthful story of a strong-willed cow with a singular ability. Despite the commands and cajoling of the elderly, equally resolute Miss Rosemary ("in something of a tizzy"), this brazen bovine insists on flying through the air. After unsuccessful--though hilarious--attempts to apprehend the animal with a fishing rod and a lasso, Miss Rosemary devises a plan to bring Gertrude back to earth--a scheme that rivals the gift of the Trojan horse for sheer cunning. In a waggish finale, the now-earthbound Gertrude prepares to indulge in another droll display of un-bovine behavior. Johnson's crisply defined acrylic paintings, capturing the flavor of his native Kentucky Appalachians, offer a passel of amusing images--Gertrude perched on a treetop, trying to pass for a bird ("It's a known fact cows don't murp. They moo," grumbles Miss Rosemary); a foiled Miss Rosemary flying through the air, only her skirt and duck-printed bloomers visible. The flap copy states that Johnson is working on two subsequent books: youngsters are apparently in for further treats from this talented author-artist. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-- " 'It's a known fact cows don't fly,' " says Miss Rosemary, but apparently Gertrude has not heard. She's the picture of bovine grace as she glides over the farm cutting figure eights, and simply radiates contentment. Miss Rosemary, on the other hand, is concerned about what the neighbors will think and wonders how she could possibly milk a flying cow. With dogged determination, the elderly woman sets about bringing Gertrude down. After several nearly disastrous attempts, she begins a subtler campaign by bringing in a substitute "cow." Johnson's high-flying original tale will have preschool listeners rolling off their sit-upons. The only question is who will be their favorite character--the uniquely talented and territorial Gertrude or the wily Miss Rosemary. His full-color, acrylic paintings are the perfect match for the humorous story. Executed in pastel tones with backgrounds reminiscent of Seurat, these fine illustrations reveal the changing moods and gradual dishevelment of this fine country lady and the bliss experienced by her cow. Youngsters will enjoy noticing Miss Rosemary's goose and pig, whose expressions range from perplexity to aggravation to satisfaction to complete amazement. A virtuoso debut! --Jeanne Marie Clancy, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531054810
• ISBN-13: 978-0531054819
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,050,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, September 21, 2000

By 

Laurie (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down (Hardcover)

My daughter loved it, I loved it ... and I have a hunch you probably will too. I picked this up on a whim, and was very pleasantly surprised. Great illustrations, a story line with some meat to it, and some fun and wit thrown in too. What more can you ask? As a side note, I wasn't surprised to learn that the illustrator is from "coal country" because, frankly, Miss Rosemary reminds me an awful lot of my grandmother. Great fun!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is exciting to read and Mrs Rosemary is very clever., March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down (Hardcover)

The cow thinks that he has to do something exciting, so he goes to the moon. Mrs. Rosemary makes a fake cow to make him jealous. The cow comes down from the moon and begins to drive a tractor. Mrs. Rosemary does a lot of different things to make the cow jealous and tries to get him to settle down and be a normal cow. This is a wonderful story that has a lot of good pictures to go along with the story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down, November 24, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down (Paperback)

I recommend you read this book because it has onomatpoeia. It is a funny book and it has great parts. I think it was enjoying and exciting. It was a terrific book. The book was about a cow who could fly. The name of the book is The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down. It is a wonderful book. That's why I like the book. The book is a great book. I also like the pictures.