The organist, florist, chef, pastor, and singer are late for a very important wedding. Miss Brindle Cow graciously offers to carry them into town and, one by one, they climb onto her back. The tower of critters makes it to the church on time, but where is the bride?
January 1, 2004
On her way into town, Brindle Cow encounters various animals, each of whom has been waylaid on the way to a wedding. Brindle Cow gives everyone a ride, getting them all to the church on time--including the bride: herself. The clunky rhyme ("I am woman. I am strong. / I'm happy that you came along") moves awkwardly. The soft watercolors are a good match for the saccharine story.
(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
August 1, 2003
K-Gr 2-Miss Brindle Cow sashays down a forest path as she hears wedding bells ring in the distance. She runs into a pig, a turtle, a duck, a rabbit, a chipmunk, and a thrush. Each animal has a role to play in the ceremony and all have a reason for running late, so the cheerful bovine happily carries all of the creatures in a precarious pile on her back. The rhyming text grows ever more buoyant as they approach the church and the cow announces that she is the bride. The watercolor paintings pleasantly evoke an English countryside in greens, browns, and yellows. However, it is somewhat discordant to hear the cow announce, "I am woman. I am strong. I'm happy that you came along." This consciousness-raising sentiment does not match the silliness of the story and the illustrations. An additional purchase.-Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2003
PreS-Gr. 2. Clever writing and sweet watercolor illustrations tell the story of a good-natured cow who gives a lift to a variety of animals she meets on the way to a wedding. Each animal has an important role in the wedding, but for one reason or another, can't get to the church. Pig, the church organist, is sidelined with a knee injury; Turtle, the florist, started out a week early, but still won't make it on time; Chef Chipmunk got lost and is exhausted from his wanderings. These animals (and more) are invited to climb on Miss Brindle Cow's sturdy back as she makes her way to St. Michelle's. Upon arriving at the church (on time), the animals thank the cow and invite her to, "Please join us inside." Then comes her surprising reply: "Yes . . . I'm the bride." The rhyming verse has a nice easy flow that is perfect for reading aloud, and Trapani's beautifully detailed, fresh country scenes are great for sharing in both intimate or large group settings. Add this to the list of fun summer reads.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)