Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Myron's Magic Cow - Reviewed again!


Myron's Magic Cow
Originally uploaded by Jagosilver.

Here's another review of Myron, sent to me by the author.....

FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Elizabeth D. Schafer
Myron dislikes going to the store for his Mama, who never asks his brother or sister to run errands. An empty milk carton results in Myron heading once again to the store with a five dollar bill so his Mama can prepare pancakes for her family's breakfast. Leaving his apartment building, Myron dutifully maneuvers through his urban surroundings toward his destination. A blond woman resembling Goldilocks stops him and tells him she knows about his milk woes. Confused how a stranger could know his problem, Myron silently listens as the woman pulls an enormous cow from an alley. Referring to Jack, as in the magic beanstalk, she grabs Myron's money and thrusts the cow's rope at him, dashing away in a car with three bears. Myron, stuck with the predicament of dealing with the disagreeable cow, trudges home. He appeases the cow, discovering she is grateful Myron rescued her from the bears, and offers him more opportunities than as a consistent milk supplier. Illustrations effectively elaborate the fantastical situations Myron encounters. Read this book with Jon Scieszka's picture books, Colin and Jacqui Hawkins's Fairytale News (2004), and Tim Egan's Metropolitan Cow (1996) to discuss the use of puns, anthropomorphism, and appropriation of fairytale characters and themes in storytelling. 2005, Barefoot Books, Ages 4 to 8.

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