Pistes d'exploration

Talk about why this story is unusual. What are baby cows usually called? How are eggs connected to springtime?

Compare Marjorie with cows from other books. How are they the same or different?

In a journal, write about something special you would do if you had the chance.

Make a list of animals and the words used for their offspring. 

Talk about and define some of the expressions such as down in the dumps, almighty commotion, pleased as punch, etc.

Discuss the chickens’ plan. Why did they do it? How did the other cows feel about Marjorie before and after she laid the egg? What is the surprise at the end of the story? How do you feel when you do something special?

Determine the meaning of new words in the story by using the context and the illustrations. Then check resources to see if you guessed well.

Act out the story.

Small Saul, Zero

Mots-clés

Humour , Picture book , cows , differences , eggs , envy , non-traditional text layout , self-esteem

Commentaire descriptif

Marjorie the cow doesn’t feel as special as the other cows who can ride bicycles and do cartwheels—until a group of well-meaning chickens hatches a clever plan to give Marjorie an emotional lift. An excellent choice for story time, the book uses cut-and-paste and collage techniques to create cartoon illustrations that are bright and funny, and convey its wacky plot that focuses on a cow laying an egg. Illustrations range from two-page landscape views to double-paged panels depicting a bulky cow on stick-figure legs going to absurd lengths to prove to the barnyard non-believers that she actually does lay eggs. Children will love the clever use of font after Marjorie exclaims, “I’ve laid an egg!!” As the story closes, an unexpected punch line is uttered by the newborn chick as it cracks open its shell: Moo! The book can be used as a springboard to discussion about self-esteem or jealousy. In the case of older children, it may serve as an instructional tool to talk about the differences between nature and nurture.