Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down (Orchard Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Brett Johnson Paul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Orchard Paperbacks

THE COW WHO WOULDN'T COME DOWN received two starred reviews (PW and SLJ) and was selected as an SLJ Best Book of the Year, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon winner, and received other impressive distinctions.

Miss Rosemary knows that her cow, Gertrude, has a mind of her own. But when Gertrude takes up a new hobby, Miss Rosemary is faced with a problem: how do you milk a flying cow? First Miss Rosemary tries to lure Gertrude down with a fresh bale of alfalfa, then she tries to catch the cow with a fishing rod, next she tries to rope Gertrude with a lasso. Nothing works until Miss Rosemary has a brilliant idea. She makes a new cow, -Matilda, out of fabric and stuffing. When Gertrude sees she has been replaced, she decides to return to earth. Once there she finds a new hobby--driving the tractor.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW called this story of a brazen bovine who insists on flying "an impressively polished first book" and "a merry and mirthful story." Ages 3-6. (Sept.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531070913
• ISBN-13: 978-0531070918
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,733,229 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.