Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton – A Book Review

Cows! Who doesn’t love them, round, large, with soft gentle eyes. Did you know they have a whole secret life though? I had no idea until I was recently asked to review Sandra Boynton’s – Amazing Cows!

Her latest book is full of “udder absurdity for children” and “all ages up to a hundred and moo”! I had thought that I had never heard of Sandra Boynton but after looking at her site, I see she also wrote one of my very favorite board books that Pie had years ago – Barnyard Dance – love it! I also absolutely love this nonsensical and completely fascinating look into the lives of those loveable bovine most of know as simply cows.

Sandra Boynton Q & A

Q: Why did you want to write Amazing Cows?
SB: I felt I was ready to move beyond chickens and pigs, to really take it to the next level.

Q: But aren’t there a number of pigs and chickens in this new book of yours?
SB: Oh well, yes, an artist can’t just leave chickens behind altogether. And of course the throughline of pigs in my work over the years is critical.

Q: Describe your book. What’s in it, who is it for?
SB: Certainly. AMAZING COWS is a book with lots of amazing cows in it. It’s for people who like books with lots of amazing cows.

Q: What was the hardest part of writing this book?
SB: Now and then, I would write something and suddenly realize it had maybe some basis in reality. So then I had to carefully rework it until I was pretty certain that it was total nonsense. It takes vigilance and discipline.

Q: What advice do you have to writers just starting out?
SB: Be yourself. Eat a balanced diet. Remember to say “I love you.”

Q: What’s next for you? Where do you go from here?
SB: I don’t want to give too much away. It’s just too soon. But, okay: Ducks.

So what could Sandra possibly share with us that we don’t already know about cows? How about silly poems, heartfelt cow stories, cow myth, cow funnies and even an heroic cow comic book involving the caped “Amazing Cow” himself who stars in “Trouble on Zebblor 7”. One of my favorite parts of the book is the last story – “Cow and Pig” story, a tale of two friends who find out a little bit about each other and their friendship,  totally sweet, silly, and funny.

You shouldn’t go into reading Amazing Cows expecting a book of cow facts or seriousness at all, you should however, expect to laugh and giggle and force your husband to listen to you recite tidbits and cow knock knock jokes while he rolls his eyes at you and tells you you’re a dork.. Oh wait, that may only be MY husband who does that :)

The kids sure agreed with me, they thought the book was funny with a capital FUN! Fifteen year old Mr.T. even read through it when he saw it laying on the table and had a few good laughs after asking me “What IS this?” Pie of course, loves anything to do with animals and jokes so this was right up her alley as well.

I think Sandra Boynton has such a unique and quirky way with words that appeals to all ages. It doesn’t come off forced or fake in anyway, which is what makes her writing all the more entertaining! The 96 paged book is sturdy enough for children yet humorous enough for adults. A wonderful gift for anyone on your list who likes a good chuckle! Also, I think it would make a welcome donation to your child’s elementary school classroom!

I was also lucky enough to receive the 17-month Mom’s Family Calendar by Sandra Boynton.
This thing ROCKS!

I am very unorganized so everything I need to remember is always written on, or thumb-tacked near, my calendar. I usually fill and overflow those small daily squares on regular sized calendars so I was pleasantly surprised with the unique layout of this one. It opens up to a full 27″ in length by 12″ in width. Each month takes up the full 27″ so there is plenty of room for my scribble!

Across the top of the page (and by each day) there are 5 boxes for you to write the names of your family members (Mom is already filled out in the first box). There is a very useful 3″ deep pocket on the bottom of the calendar that comes in handy for holding those permission slips and picture money envelopes that are always floating around. You also get 500 cute stickers, and a magnetic Mom’s Family Phone List chart to hang on the fridge.  I like it, I like it a lot! You should definitely take a look at it if you’re thinking of buying calendars for anyone on your list – buy one for yourself too, you’ll love it.

You can keep up to date with Sandra on her website . Also keep up with her publisher Workman Publishing on Facebook.

Buy It:

Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton is available at Workman.com (currently $10.95), Amazon.com(currently $10.95)  and other online offline retailers, as is her Mom’s Family Calendar 2011 (currently $9.99 on Amazon.com).

Win It Here!

Thanks to Workman Publishing one lucky reader will win their own copy of Amazing Cows to keep or give as a gift!

How to Enter: (mandatory)

Leave me a comment about cows… Anything, do you like them? Do you hate them? Why? Do you know an amazing cow? Just tell me something about cows and you’re entered! Easy!

Extra Entries: (optional)

Please leave a new comment, with links if applicable, for each extra entry to be counted.

• Subscribe (and confirm) to my blog via reader/email
• Enter any of my other giveaways (add 1 comment per giveaway)
• Add the updated A Hen’s Nest button and/or Holiday gift Guide button(s) to your blog page (add 2 comments per button!)
• Like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook / Networked Blogs
• Follow A Hen’s Nest with Google Friend Connect
• Follow @ahensnest and @WorkmanPub on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. Use the retweet button at top of post or copy this tweet: (daily tweet!)

Rules: Follow the directions above! Giveaway open United States & Canada, 18+ only and ends December 22nd, 11:59 est. Winners must reply to email within 48 hours or I will redraw.

Amazing Cow Credits:
Excerpted from AMAZING COWS by Sandra Boynton
Copyright 2010 by Sandra Boynton
Used by permission of Workman Publishing Co., Inc. New York
All Rights Reserved