Something to Tell the Grandcows [Hardcover]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Bill Slavin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

What kind of exciting stories could Emmadine the cow tell her grandcows? About the time she swatted seventeen horseflies? Right. Or the time she chased a crow from the corn? Whoop-dee-doo. So when Emmadine learned that Admiral Richard E. Byrd was looking for a few good cows to take to the South Pole, she volunteered--boldly going where no cow had gone before. Loosely based on a historical event, Eileen Spinellis humorous tale of Emmadines adventures will delight young readers, while Bill Slavins bold acrylic illustrations bring this unique and heroic cow to life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4--Just as Emmadine is bemoaning the lack of exciting tales to tell her grandcows, she hears that Admiral Richard E. Byrd is looking for a few good bovines for an expedition. Emmadine volunteers, and, along with 2 other cows, 153 dogs, and 56 explorers, heads for the South Pole in October 1933. After weeks of seasickness, she arrives at "the coldest place on earth," where her "teeth chattered like spoons." Wrapped in a scarf, her warmest socks, and a striped "uddermuff," she faces the cold and darkness, sees seals and penguins, teaches the other cows and the herdsman to dance, and stores away her fantastic experiences to share with her offspring when she returns home. The author takes a true event (Byrd really did take cows on one of his expeditions) and describes it from a unique point of view. Slavin's artwork, done in acrylics on gessoed paper, perfectly captures this delightful bovine, whose upbeat personality shines in the single- and double-page paintings. Emmadine is at her worst when seasick and at her most vivacious when she kicks up her heels with the herdsman. Older readers can use the Byrd tie-in as an excuse to laugh their way through this picture-book adventure, while younger children will appreciate the humor even if they know nothing about polar exploration.--Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Everybody wants to have at least one great adventure to trot out when company comes to call. Everybody--even cows. After Emmadine the cow decides that chasing crows from the barn and swatting horseflies isn't exciting enough to tell to her grandcows, she signs up to go to the South Pole with Admiral Richard E. Byrd. What happens then provides plenty of grist for generations to come. Spinelli' s humorous tale is a delightful and creative way to introduce a historic event to very young children. Kids are treated to an engaging introduction to a momentous expedition as they learn a bit about the geography and environment of the South Pole. The story will help children better appreciate historical books, and Slavin's fine illustrations will help. The art is both well executed and funny, whether picturing Emmadine contemplating the farmer and his kids in a richly detailed barn scene or decked out for winter in a striped "uddermuff" and hoof socks. Terry Glover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080285236X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852366
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries
  • #30 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Polar Regions

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY A FUN READ THAT ACTUALLY TEACHES SOMETHING, November 14, 2010

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Something to Tell the Grandcows (Paperback)

When Admiral Richard E. Byrd made is historical journey of exploration to the South Pole he took quite a number of critters with him. Among the livestock were three cows.

Emmadine, a fine brown cow had been fretting and fretting that, unlike the other animals on the farm, and indeed Farmer Brown himself, she had no tales, tall or other wise, to tell all of her grandchildren...er, I mean, Grandcows! So when she heard of the great Admiral's expedition, she volunteered.

This is the story of Emmadine's great adventure; an account of her personal journey both to and back from the South Pole.

The author has used a mixture of hard historical facts along with a liberal sprinkling of pure fantasy and sort of tongue-in-cheek humor to tell this delightful tale. Hardships there were many and it was cold, cold, cold; so cold as a matter of fact that our adventurous bovine would have been in big trouble if Georgetta the pig, back on the farm, had not knitted her a very warm uddermuff to wear!

I cannot think of a better way to introduce the little ones to this historical adventure and even if you are not inclined to mix education with fun, it is still a rollicking good read.

An excellent text is enhanced by very creative illustrations by Bill Slavin. The text and pictures go perfectly together.

The age group designated here of between 4 and 8 is just about right on this one.

This makes a very good group read and gives the reader plenty of opportunities for open discussion.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amusing combination of fiction and non-fiction, March 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Something to Tell the Grandcows (Hardcover)

Emmadine. a cow, joins Admiral Byrd's 1933 expedition to the South Pole. Factual information about the South Pole is blended with the details of Emmadine's escapades, impressions, and adventures in the coldest place on earth. All the while she is collecting memories to tell to her "grandcows" when she gets home to the farm.

5.0 out of 5 stars great service...everything exactly like i wanted., May 15, 2008

By 

S. rummler "sal 7 kids" (nampa, idaho usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Something to Tell the Grandcows (Paperback)

the product was in wonderful condition, as i expected. i couldn't believe how quickly this book arrived. the price was so low, i will shop here again soon. i highly recommend buying here.