Two Cool Cows

Millie and Maude are two cool cows who fly to the moon and back again in a single night while wearing the Huckabuck children's new black boots. Reprint.

Ages 4^-7. For all those who ever wondered why the cow jumped over the moon, here's the answer in a fresh and funny picture book that soars through the sky on the strength of Speed's explosive (mostly) rhyming text. Millie and Maude are two cool cows from Huckabuck farm, heading to the mountaintop, the best jumping off spot for the moon. Wearing black button-back boots purloined from the Huckabuck kids (who are following them apace), M and M hit the moon and its tasty meadow, where there are "cows in the craters, / cows and their cousins, / cows on vacation, dozens and dozens." The fun's not just in the meadow munching, but also in activities, like doing the Bunny Hop with bovine buddies. Meanwhile, back home, the Huckabuck kids are railing at the moon, still waiting for those shoes. This tale needs some pretty dynamic art, and Root comes through with motion-filled spreads featuring two black-and-white, shades-wearing cows. He catches all the humor, too; each out-of-this-world picture is a smile provoker. (See the Booklist cover, May 1, 1995.) Fun to read aloud, but watch out--little ones just might feel the urge to do some jumping over the moon themselves. Ilene Cooper