Something to tell the grandcows

Format:

Book

Title:

Something to tell the grandcows

Author:

Spinelli, Eileen.

ISBN:

9780802853042

9780802852366

Publication Information:

Grand Rapids, Mich. : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2004.

Physical Description:

32 unnumbered pages : color illustrations, color map ; 22 x 27 cm

Summary:

Hoping to have an adventure to impress h6r grandcows, Emmadine Cow joins Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his 1933 expedition to the South Pole.

Personal Subject:

Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957-Juvenile fiction.

Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957-Fiction.

Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957

Subject(s):

Cows -- Juvenile fiction.

Grandparents -- Juvenile fiction.

Cows -- Fiction.

Grandparents -- Fiction.

Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration -- Juvenile fiction.

South Pole -- Juvenile fiction.

Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration -- Fiction.

South Pole -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration -- Juvenile fiction.

South Pole -- Juvenile fiction.

Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration -- Fiction.

South Pole -- Fiction.

Antarctica

Antarctica -- South Pole

Genre:

Added Author:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Monmouth Public Library	SPINELLI	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Stayton Public Library	E SPINELLI	Searching... Unknown

When Emmadine the cow 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 Spinelli's humorous tale of Emmadine's adventures will delight young readers, while Bill Slavin's bold acrylic illustrations bring this unique and heroic cow to life."

Author Notes

Eileen Spinelli was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 16, 1942. After high school, she worked as a waitress at a local diner, a secretary, and answered phones at an airplane factory. She eventually became the author of children's books. Her picture books include Thanksgiving at the Tappletons, Do You have a Hat, While You are Away, When Mama Comes Home Tonight, Wanda's Monster, Here Comes the Year, A Big Boy Now, and Hug a Bug. She is also the author of several short novels including Lizzie Logan Wears Purple Sunglasses, Lizzie Logan Gets Married, and Lizzie Logan, Second Banana. She received the Christopher Award for Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

In 1933, Emmadine the cow volunteers for Admiral Byrd's expedition to the South Pole to have something to tell her grandcows. The ocean voyage, the ice, the long days that become long nights, and the native animals all amaze her. Clad in her woolen socks, scarf, and uddermuff, Emmadine returns home a hero. Detailed, textured illustrations add verve to this light fantasy. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

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 2004 Booklist