Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Something to Tell the Grandcows
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2004 ISBN: 080285236X
One day Emmadine the cow realises that she has nothing very interesting to tell her grandcows. Her farmer has stories to tell, as does her pig friend Georgette, but Emmadine hasn’t done much with her life. Soon however she gets the chance to do something truly momentous; Emmadine volunteers to go to the South Pole with Admiral Byrd. What adventures she has and what things she sees. On the trip and at the South Pole Emmadine keeps thinking “Oh wouldn’t the grandcows be amazed!”
Emmadine turns out to be a cow of great of great fortitude and courage. She also has a sense of fun and cares about others. Clearly here is a cow of great personality, and one whom we grow very fond of as we read about her exploits.
Based loosely on the story of the Admiral Byrd’s real trip to the South Pole and the cows that he took with him, this is a story that will give the reader much to smile about. It will also, incidentally, teach children a great deal about the South Pole and what it must have been like to visit that freezing and inhospitable place.
