Minnie & Moo and the Seven Wonders of the World

Gr 2-4-The comic cows who have endeared themselves to the beginning-reader set are back in a longer chapter book for transitional readers. Moo thinks she has overheard Mr. Farmer talk about selling the farm, and she cajoles Minnie into helping her carry out a fund-raising scheme designed to entice donations from the other animals. The bovines lead the group on a barnyard tour of their version of the Seven Wonders of the World, all cooked up by Moo. They include a bunion with George Washington's face on it; a Rock That Never Moves (but that has somehow disappeared); a UFO landing site, complete with the hubcap it left behind; Flying Long Underwear; and other unexplainable phenomena. But when Big Hoof turns out to be a real creature (Irene the rhino, escaped from the local zoo), even skeptical Elvis the rooster is almost moved to contribute. Irene reveals that it's not their own farm but the neighboring Wilkerson farm that is in danger of being sold. The zoo's "Dotty Docents" come looking for the missing animal and unwittingly save the day when they decide to give generously to the campaign to save the "Forest Octopus," thereby salvaging the farm. Loaded with silly fun, droll illustrations of varying sizes, and familiar farmyard "characters," this latest dose of bovine antics, in its expansive new format, is sure to please old friends and make new ones.-Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Though the stars of Cazet's popular beginning-reader series make a rather lumbering leap to a heftier, chapter-book format, loyal fans will no doubt willingly make the jump with them. When Moo overhears the farmer talking about selling the farm, she warns Minnie about all the things she might have to live without (cream puffs, espresso machine, hot tub and her "favorite red dress with the silver sequins and plunging neckline"). Outraged, Minnie dramatically replies, "We've got to do something.... I don't want to live like an animal!" The duo forms a plan to earn money to save the farm by leading the other farm animals on a paid tour of seven "wonders," including Minnie's "presidential bunion" (the pair insists it resembles George Washington's face). Cazet shapes some comical scenes (especially a debate debate about whether or not "thinking" is good or bad: "There is far too much thinking going on in the world and not enough doing," says Minnie; "That is a thought!" Moo retorts), yet a meandering plot and cumbersome dialogue too often cause his usually surefire humor to miss its mark. Still, the plentiful pencil illustrations serve up some droll images of this amiable cast of critters, and recent graduates to chapter books will find this entertaining, accessible fare. Ages 7-10. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.