School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-- A simple, sensitive story that lends itself to creative dramatization, participation, and self-expression. A cow and a pig are laughed at because they aren't like the other farm animals. Through friendship and determination, they turn the situation around, and the story ends on a high note with both animals being different in a positive way. Since many words, such as ``moo'' and ``oink,'' are capitalized and repeated throughout, both memory and word recognition skills are strengthened. One single large-print sentence appears on the top of each page. Children will especially like the pages showing the many different farm animals with their corresponding word-balloon sounds. Most's cartoonlike drawings in vivid, colorfully blended Pantone markers support the mood and the message of the story. A read-aloud that can easily motivate class discussion. --Judith A. Galganski, Reinstein Memorial Library, Cheektowaga, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Most slips several important morals--and considerable wit--into this entertaining barnyard tale, which centers on a cow that says ``Oink'' rather than ``Moo.'' The other cows all laugh at this poor creature (``Moo-ha''), as do all of the other animals on the farm (``Neigh-ha''; ``Baa-ha''; ``Cluck-ha''; etc.). The cow is despondent, until one day she hears a friendly ``Moo.'' Much to her surprise, the sound comes from a pig, who is also ostracized by her peers (who, of course, laugh ``Oink-ha''). The two decide to teach each other the appropriate sound to make, and persevere even when the other animals jeer at them. In the end, the cow and the pig can both ``moo'' and ``oink''--and get the last laugh, since the other creatures can only make one sound. Very young readers will love the silly animal laughs and the story's repetition. Older readers will appreciate the humor, and will absorb such subtle messages as the importance of helping others, even if they are different; of rising above the cruelty of others; and of sticking to a difficult task until it is mastered. That's a lot for one picture book to accomplish. Ages 2-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
This delightfully silly picture book begins, 'There was once a cow that went OINK.' The misfit cow is miserable until she meets a pig who says 'moo'. Despite the other farm animals' constant derision, the two laboriously teach each other and become the only animals on the farm who can make two sounds, thus getting the last laugh. Simple, readable, and sturdy, the book is pure fun, and the bold illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.