Fair Cow - Hardcover

Growing up Leslie Helakoski loved playing in bodacious barns. Who knew they’d be the catalyst for so many stories. Formerly a graphic designer, she has written several award-winning books with (surprise!) barn animals, including Big Chickens , illustrated by Henry Cole, and Woolbur , illustrated by Lee Harper. Fair Cow is the first book that she has both written and illustrated. She writes and paints in Michigan, where she lives with her husband, children, and curly lapdog.

K-Gr 2–Effie wants to go to the state fair. "She dreamed of being beautiful, of billowing blue ribbons and big, bodacious barns." Her friend Petunia Pig helps her prepare for the big day. Effie is told she needs to get in shape, curl her hair, change her spots, paint her hooves, glue on a fake tail, and change her walk. The cow is not totally convinced all this is necessary, but goes along with the transformation. When she gets to the fair, she sees all the other cows and thinks they are more beautiful than even her new, improved self. She is disheartened, and on the long walk to the show barn she reverts to her old habits, such as frolicking in the breeze (messes the hair), eating grass (turns teeth green), and drinking from the pond (bloats the belly). Soon her makeover is undone. Despite that, Effie returns home sporting a blue ribbon for Best Milk. The acrylic on paper illustrations are large, bright, and humorous. The animals' faces are quite expressive, clearly showing the personalities of the snooty cows and the overeager pig. This book will work well for storytimes about barnyard antics and for those always-be-yourself lessons. Besides that, it's just plain fun.Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI
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