Steve Cole: 'The Wild West Moo-nster'

Cows In Action (the C.I.A.) take on the 1875 gold rush in this very silly yet very enjoyable chapter book. Fourth in the C.I.A. series, Professor McMoo, Bo Vine, and Pat take their time machine back to America to thwart the evil plans of the Fed-up Bull Institute (F.B.I.) and a distant relative of the evil farmer’s wife intent on turning them all into steaks. They trade cow-related jokes and non-stop a-moo-sing puns as they dress up and successfully blend in with the human cattle rustlers, cowboys, and miners of the time. What is the Longhorn Monster and where have all the cows and buffalo disappeared to? These and other mysteries occupying the intrepid tea-drinking professor and his brave compatriots.

Cheerful illustrations and a blithe disregard for physics or logic heightens the action. If you enjoy the irreverence of MT Anderson’s 'Whales On Stilts', or if you like your stories with a large side of cheese, you’ll appreciate this book. The introduction and timeline, including the note “7000 BC, First cattle kept on farms (not a good year for cows)”, give a good sample for the humor found inside. It also comes with four full-color trading cards. Other reviewers have noted that the quick action and clever wordplay make this a book that appeals to non-readers, and I would agree. Too late for Christmas, this is still a perfect birthday present for the younger person on your shopping list.

Published 3rd January 2008 by Red Fox.

Written by W. L. Clark.