Metropolitan Cow [Hardcover]

Tim Egan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Bennett Gibbons was a very fortunate young cow. His parents, Frederick and Henrietta, were prominent members of their herd and noted socialites. They lived in a beautiful apartment and gave Bennett just about everything he could want. Indeed, young Bennett Gibbons was the luckiest little calf in the neighborhood. Problem was, he was the only little calf in the neighborhood.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a scenic art-deco city, pigs collect tickets from movie-going cows, and a generous cow gives coins to some piggy street musicians. This social hierarchy remains unquestioned until Bennett, a lonely calf, makes friends with his porcine neighbor, Webster. Both are too young to know any better, though Bennett's father harrumphs, "Frankly, Bennett, it's a little unusual for a cow to be playing with a pig." Yet after Bennett's irresistible urge to play in the mud brings his and Webster's families together, they realize they have a lot in common: "They all liked the same music and the same books. And they all were vegetarians." Egan revisits the tolerance theme of his Friday Night at Hodges' Cafe, and although his message is somewhat clicheed, his dry, measured narration rescues the story. His watercolor-and-ink illustrations are composed with an eye for balance, and his sophisticated palette of pine green, burgundy and creamy yellow conveys the cows' celebrated "dignity." The grand apartment buildings and the animals' dapper dress suggest prewar New York; 20-cent pretzels and Webster's porkpie hat reinforce the nostalgic motif. Egan tends to moralize, but his artfully detailed spreads makes the symbolism easy to swallow. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Bennett Gibbons is an upper-class calf whose privileged lifestyle exposes him to all the perks of urban high society. He wistfully watches a family of pigs wallowing in the mud at the park, but his parents explain that cows are too dignified for such nonsense. Bennett is delighted when the Anderson family moves in next door, for Webster Anderson is just his age. The two become friends and Bennett introduces Webster to the wonders of the city, especially the Natural History Museum. Bennett's parents are not pleased, however, because the Andersons are pigs. Their worst fears are realized when, in a moment of abandon, their son joins Webster in a mud bath. Finally, the abject cows realize that friendship is more important than sophistication and that diversity is something to celebrate rather than abhor. The thinly veiled message could have become heavy handed if not for Egan's witty language and amusing illustrations. His watercolor paintings are enlivened by little details?George Seurat's Sunday Afternoon in the Park with cows hangs in the Bennett apartment, and a poster for Swine Lake adorns the wall of a theater. In addition, these funny characters don't take themselves as seriously as the words might indicate. In the end, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett discover that mud baths can be refreshingly liberating. Unabashed lighthearted fun.?Barbara Kiefer, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395730961
• ISBN-13: 978-0395730966
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,337,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim Egan is the author and illustrator of several offbeat and humorous tales for children. Born in New Jersey, Tim moved to California to attend the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He still lives in southern California with his wife, Ann, and their two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visually entertaining with a story and look we grew up with, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Metropolitan Cow (Hardcover)

Tim Egan's books always seem to tickle a spot in me that remind me of stories and great times I had growing up. My niece HAD to have this book read every night for several months. It became so much her favorite that she brought it to school for favorite author show and tell. Now, my 2 year old has discovered it with its array of comical animals. He always laughs, especially at the antics of the duck. A sure fire winner with great moral lessons.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Childrens Book With A good Moral to the Story, July 1, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Metropolitan Cow (Hardcover)

I read a story to my seven year old son every night. He has enjoyed Tim Egans stories the most of any book that we read. The Book is very well illustrated. It has a very good moral to the story and one any age person can learn from...

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We're all metropolitan cows in one way or another, May 17, 2005

By 

V. B. Edwards "bookworm" (LA, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metropolitan Cow (Paperback)

Don't be fooled. One thinks this is a read just for children, but the message is powerful indeed.