The Cow That Laid an Egg

The Cow That Laid an Egg is written by Andy Cutbill and is illustrated by Russel Ayto. This book is about a cow (Marjorie) who feels rather ordinary and down in the dumps. She wishes she were as talented and special as the other cows she knows. Her friends, the chickens, devise a secret plan to make her more special than the other cows - they make an egg and paint it like a cow with black splotches and put it under Marjorie! In the morning, Marjorie discovers the egg and is shocked herself! She shrieks and the cows and the farmer are in awe. The farmer's wife calls the local paper to tell them about their special cow who laid an egg. Marjorie becomes famous and visitors continue to come to the farm to see this miraculous cow. But the other cows on the farm don't believe that Marjorie laid an egg. They suspect that the chickens just put the egg under her! Angry, Marjorie swears that the egg came from her and they all wait until one day when it hatches after being kept warm by Marjorie. Out pops a baby chick and the cows laugh and think they're right. However, the baby "chick" looks up and says deeply, "MOOOOOOOOO!" and Marjorie knows the baby is her own.

This book has wonderfully creative illustrations! They were so fun and very unique. The illustrator seemed to use multiple forms of media to put the illustrations together. They were brightly colored and very stylized - could have only been done by this illustrator. The writing was very simple, but it read easily and smoothly and was easy to get into. This book would be for lower to middle elementary school. It could be used in a farm animal unit or science unit. I loved the goofy story, the positive message (everyone is special in their own way!) and the illustrations. I would highly recommend this book to other teachers teaching lower elementary grade levels.