School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Annalisa is the most curious and most stubborn of Mama May's brood, a lively group of siblings too numerous to count. Daily, she watches her mother go off to the pasture to milk a magic cow, and each time she feels disgusted when her mother kisses the animal on the nose in thanks. The child wonders what it must be like to milk a magic cow and one day she sets out to find out. She milks Luella, but refuses to kiss her, resulting in dire consequences. The cow will give no more milk; the children go hungry. Mama May pleads with Annalisa to complete the ritual, but the girl adamantly refuses. Finally, her curiosity gets the better of her and she breaks down and puckers up. All ends well with the contented cow giving milk once again. This lighthearted tale is accompanied by colorful cartoonlike illustrations. A good discussion starter on curiosity and its consequences, it also provides an example of a stubborn character backing down. Flowing language makes it a fun read-aloud.-Anne Knickerbocker, Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The most curious and stubborn of Mama May's children observes how she coaxes daily buckets of milk from the cow and then imitates her to the letter... until it's time to pucker up. "Youngsters will be rooting for Annalisa to kiss the cow and save the day," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
