Clarabelle: Making Milk and So Much More

by Cris Peterson, David R. Lundquist (Photographer)

Following a day in the life of Clarabelle, one of 1,200 cows on a Wisconsin dairy farm, we learn what it takes for a cow to produce life-giving milk and also by-products like electricity. The manure that Clarabelle and her herdmates create not only generates electricity, it provides fresh bedding for cow stalls and fertilizer for the crops grown to feed the cows. Vibrant close-up photographs capture Clarabelle, her calf, and the youngest members of this multi-generational farm family, Josh and Sam, sharing the workload.

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Science

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Cris Peterson is the author of ten books for children, including Century Farm: One Hundred Years on a Family Farm; Horsepower: The Wonder of Draft Horses; and Harvest Year. She has been honored by dairy and agricultural organizations across the country, both for her writing for children and her contribution to a clearer understanding of farming in the United States.

Reviews

[Peacegal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Farming has always been a mainstay of children’s books. Traditionally, agriculture has presented itself in the fantasy Old MacDonald’s Farm-style of picture books such as Cow—even as small farming faded from the landscape. However, frequent exposes of factory farming practices and community battles over the construction of megafarms have made it much more difficult for the food industry to hide behind a rosy image. Thus, we have a troubling new trend exemplified by materials such as Clarabelle: children’s stories that whitewash the CAFO and attempt to persuade them that animals are thrilled to be kept in these highly artificial environments.

This glossy picture book follows Cow #3557, given the pastoral name of “Clarabelle” for the story. She is one of 1,200 cows on a mega-dairy farm. The text dwells on the pastoral fields that surround the dairy, but the aerial photo makes clear: this is a CAFO and the cows do not graze. The silage that the crowded animals eat instead of grass is called a “daily feast”. The text indicates that the cattle eat corn, which offers dense nutrients but also plays havoc with a cow’s digestive system.

The story begins with Clarabelle and other cows giving birth. Not surprising, as the cycle of pregnancy and birth is central to a dairy cow’s life. However, it’s also not a coincidence that the calf is never again mentioned after two pages. If it’s a female, she’ll be raised in a hutch separate from the adult cows. If it’s a male, he will be sent to a vealer. Either way, Clarabelle won’t get to raise her offspring.

CAFOs have been taking heat over environmental pollution as of late, so it’s probably not a coincidence that the authors chose a farm that comes with an anaerobic digester that turns manure into electricity. Presumably, this will lessen the chances of a devastating wastewater spill as documented in the recent book Animal Factory . At the same time, one can clearly spot a vast open manure lagoon near the digester—partially cropped out in a corner of the photo.

So what’s right? Depicting fantasy farms as the source of our food supply, or heavily-whitewashed factory farms in an effort to gain support for a highly controversial method of farming? Ideally, educational materials would tell the facts without an agenda, and allow people—including kids—to make up their own minds.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly informative book!

[Westin Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading this book this is a book that can be used with middle age students. What was interesting was learning the different processes of how we gain milk. This book can be fun to engage with students because it gives them the opportunity to learn something that is in their everyday life. Overall, this was an engaging story filled with pictures to help one understand.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Clarabelle

Author: Cris Peterson

Recommended Ages or grades: P-8

This book tells the story of the cow named Clarabelle. Clarabelle lives on a farm with a family along with several other cows. They are milked daily and they also give birth to young ones. This book is a great book for young children to read. It has simple words and nice big pictures. It also has a glossary. It talks about what the cows eat, their bedding and where they sleep. It even talked about factory where the milks goes after Clarabelle and other are done being milked. For an informational book, this is a good book for reading in a classroom especially when a lesson calls for learning about animals and food and how we get our milk and other daily products.

[Briana Deleon]

I found this book immensely informational--I learned things about the process of milking a cow that I had never known before. Brilliant photography compliments the text wonderfully. Aerial shots and close up shots of the dairy farm will amaze children. This would be a great read aloud to kids in the elementary setting. After reading this book, I have more appreciation for the tedious work it takes to raise and nourish a cow. I won't look at milk the same!

[Karen Witzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clear and informative look at a cow on a factory-style (1200 cows) dairy farm. Calving, milking machines, methane digester, and the types of feed are discussed. Lots of opportunities to ask more questions about the food chain, energy consumption, agribusiness versus traditional farms, and so on. The author is a former Wisconsin Dairy Farmer of the Year and proprietor of a similar farm.

[Barbara Thompson Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a photo-essay about dairy cows. It is very complete. It has excellent pictures and information.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understandable for kids. Great way to learn about all the activities on a dairy farm.

[CFAITC]

This book is about how cows produce much more than just milk.

[Kay]

Great positive view of modern agriculture