Dadblamed Union Army Cow

by Susan Fletcher, Kimberly Bulcken Root (Illustrator)

She just won’t git! A Union army soldier can’t shake his dadblamed cow in this uplifting tale based on a true story.

"That dadblamed cow!" She follows her owner into the Union army and then straight on south to fight in the war. She needs unstomped grass to eat, she gets stuck in the mud, and she’s just plain dangerous in battle. But this peculiar cow also gives the weary soldiers some surprising comforts. Based on stories and newspaper reports from the Civil War and full of lively illustrations, this is a heartwarming tale of one wonderfully dadblamed persistent cow.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Civil War, Historical, War, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Susan Fletcher is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers, including Dragon’s Milk, Shadow Spinner, and Journey of the Pale Bear. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and have received a Golden Kite Honor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as acclaim from the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, Bookriot.com, Natural History Magazine, Western Writers of America, Women Writing in the West, and many more. Susan taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children program at Vermont College.

Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.

Reviews

[Thomas (Books With Thomas)]

Library teacher read this today- pretty neat’o

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book my kids probably would have picked up on their own. But they seem to have enjoyed it nonetheless. I’m most pleased with some of the repetitive structure of the text. The “just right” amount of information/words. This is a fantastic way to gently introduce so many concepts to younger kids involving history and war. Topics that are problematic at a primary age but done well here.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun book and true!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loosely based on a true story, this one is a lot of fun but definitely too much for my preschoolers.

[Adam Bakken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cow follows her owner, a Union soldier, into the Civil War She even follows him into the recruiting office. At the start, she is a bother because she gets stuck in the mud and needs unstomped grass. But when the going gets tough, the soldiers start to see her value for everything she can give to the regiment. She fans flies away with her tail, and even lets the soldiers keep their feet warm underneath her at night.
When her owner is injured, she event follows him to the hospital where she helps him and the other wounded soldiers gain their strength back: by giving them milk.
Based on a true story, the cow was featured in many newspapers during and after the war. This book, because it is based on a true story, is believable while at times seemingly exaggerated. This book was excellent, and can be used to show how army life was during the Civil War. It could also provide an interesting topic of research for students: animals and their use and appearance in times of war. The emotions in the pictures were excellent and emotionally potent. This book has great read aloud potential.
I feel it is rare for a nonfiction book to make you both laugh and cry.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Genre- Historical Fiction
2. Awards- None
3. Grade Level- K-2
4. This is a very cute book about the true story of a cow that follows his owner, a Union Army soldier, into battle, refusing to leave his side. I could use this novel when discussing the Civil War in my history unit. The book is very informative of what life was like for soldiers during this time, in addition to being a fun story of a loyal cow. There are other animals that made an appearance during the civil war. As a follow up activity, I could have the students get in groups and look up the other animals that were there. They would then share those stories with the class. Doing this will make the story real for the students and help them get a broader picture of this time period.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fun book to read aloud to elementary students studying this period of time. Students could talk in small groups about some of the bigger ideas in the book--What was the role of the cow beyond providing physical comfort and nutrition? What in the text makes you think so? What do you think is the author's message? Why do you think so? What is the role of hope in the story? There's also room to discuss how the author took primary sources (maybe even find those sources as noted at the end of the book) and used details from the real story to write a "loosely based" story. Students might use this as a mentor text for engaging in a similar process. Lots of potential in the classroom.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My view on Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer something to the world.
Summary and integration of book:
This book is a true story about a cow that marched with the Union Army during the Civil War. I like this book because it is based on a true story. It also is a fun fact about the Civil War. I feel that this book will provide a lighthearted story about the Civil War.

[Alex Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre- Historical Fiction

2. Awards- None

3. Grade Level- 1st to 2nd

4. I would use this book in my classroom when we discussed the civil war in history class. This book can be used to show how life in the army was during that time and how even though the cow bothered the soldier, it also came in great use throughout the war. A follow-up activity I would do would be to have my students look up other stories of animals that were used in the civil war and what tasks did they do or things they provided to help the army. Doing this activity would make the story more realistic and tangible to the students once they saw how important animals actually were to both armies in the war.

[Lauren Schaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: K-2
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: None
I would use this story with my history class when learning of the civil war. I would read this story to my class, then I would create and activity. The activity would be a writing activity. I would get the students to practice their writing skills by having the students write a short paragraph about when they had something important they had to do, but something kept getting in the way. Then I would have the students draw a picture of what they wrote.

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally rated G+ by David Lewandowski
DADBLAMED UNION ARMY COW: A supposedly true story of a Union cow during the Civil War. After a northerner is drafted, he finds out to his astonishment that the family cow has somehow followed him south to fight the Confederacy. The cow keeps away flies with his tail, keeps the men warm at night, and gives a never ending supply of fresh milk to the undernourished army, among other things. The text is full of silly language to keep the story light and funny for the reader.

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dadblamed cow follows her owner to the enlistment office and even to war, where she helps the Union soldiers by fanning flies away and letting the soldiers keep their feet warm underneath her at night. When her owner (Really Capt. Jesse Lee) is wounded she follows him right to the hospital where she helps the wounded soldiers regain their strength by giving them--what else?--milk.
Based on a true story, a nice supplement to elementary history classes.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a soldier goes off to The Civil War, a cow follows him into battle. At first, the cow is just a nuisance, but as the nights get cold, and the food gets scarce, she is heralded for all the good she does for the regiment. Based on historical facts, and a cow who traveled with the Fifty-Ninth Regiment of the Indiana Volunteers.

[Gail Barge]

What an interesting perspective on the civil war! This would be a fun book to share with a class studying the civil war to add an interesting twist. It is actually a true story! This could be an interesting topic for students to research: animals involved in war and how they help the soldiers. I enjoyed this book and I'm sure students will find the traveling cow to be silly and entertaining.

[Erica Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures in the book were wonderfully detailed. I loved the emotion in the pictures. Also the fact that this story was based on a true story is amazing. Who would ever think a cow would be in the war?

[Kelly Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous historical fiction for kids -- teachers take note -- this is a wonderfully funny quirky picture book for elementary school kids that has the added bonus of civil war history and the true story of a cow in the union army! History can be fun!

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one awful dadblamed book. What a pity too, as it is based on a true story. The writing was horrid. The repetitive use of the word "Dadblamed" while meant to be useful and witty, was distracting. It's as if the author thought the true story needed to be dumbed down for children.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students enjoyed this historical fiction tale. It retold a piece of history that they wouldn't have known. It was a great "read aloud" introduction into our history unit.

Must have on your library shelves!
MrsK

[Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often does a nonfiction picture book make you laugh AND cry? Give this to your local school or public library!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful picture book based on a true story. Great way to illustrate historical fiction in a short time frame. Author's notes at the end of the book are very good.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty well-woven piece of work with bits of humor in it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly funny and charming. I enjoyed the realistic illustrations, and think children would enjoy reading about such a relatable incident of the Civil War.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for 2 reasons.....one I am a Hoosier and the other, it is a great read-aloud for any unit on the Civil War.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved it! So funny and heartwarming - it's even better because it is based on a true story! Awesome read-aloud potential.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching book on the Civil War for children. Recommended by our text.

[Renee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story using repetitive phrasing. Excellent pencil and watercolor illustrations complement the story.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Glad it was a real cow. 8)

[Katrina Mundt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Civil War, excellent, informative and funny