A Particular Cow

A Particular Cow
Fox, Mem. 2006. A Particular Cow. Ill. by Terry Denton. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. ISBN13 97800152002502.

PLOT SUMMARY

A Particular Cow begins as the particular cow sets out on her accustomed Saturday morning particular walk. She accidentally becomes entangled in a pair of bloomers hanging on a clothesline, setting in motion a chain of amusing and unexpected events. The cow, whose vision is often obscured by the flowered bloomers, is blissfully unperturbed by the entire sequence of misadventures. Terry Denton's black ink and bright watercolor illustrations accompany the sparse text.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The text of A Particular Cow may be sparse, but the fun is abundant. Children should relate to the accidental chaos let loose by the cow's innocent blunder; and they may secretly rejoice in its conclusion, as the particular cow goes merrily on her way without regard to the chaos in her wake. What child does not dream of such a scenario? The repeated use of the word 'particular' gives the text a particular predictability which makes it an excellent read-aloud. Additionally, the illustrations are bright and full of interest. All are double-spreads and contain humorous asides by the human characters and animals alike.

Cultural markers in this book are few, but distinct. Readers may note the mild swearword "bloomin'," and the use of the words "Blimey" and "bloomers." Visual clues to the book's location are more obscure - only the vast semi-arid plains and the presence of Dingoes are possible references to author Mem Fox's or illustrator, Terry Denton's Australian roots.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

"Denton captures the chaos in simple, bland cartoon illustrations, and Fox's repeated use of "particular" gives the text a playful beat--but it's all over almost before it begins. Similar excursions, such as John Burningham's Mr. Gumpy's Outing (1970) or Cynthia Rylant's Great Gracie Chase: Stop That Dog! (2001), illustrated by Mark Teague, will give readers and listeners more time to become engaged in the goings-on."

2006. "A Particular Cow." Kirkus Reviews 74, no. 15: 14-786. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).

"The story is told with a dry wit and an economy of words, and the illustrations interpret the action with panache."

Loch-Wouters, Marge. 2006. "A Particular Cow." School Library Journal 52, no. 9: 171-171. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).

CONNECTIONS

This book is an excellent example of cause and effect and sequencing. Use this text with an exercise in story order. Students can be given jumbled and wordless story frames to place in sequence, teaching cause and effect, sequencing, and the use of visual clues.

Pair this book with an author study and explorations of other Mem Fox titles, searching for cultural markers from her Australian home or her native Zimbabwe.