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One Cow Coughs: A Counting Book for the Sick and Miserable
All the animals in the barnyard are sick: two mules moan, three sheep shake, four hens hold their heads that ache . . . and ten turkeys weep at the welts on their knees. No need to worry, help is in store. Counting back from ten to one, the animals concoct some comical cures. "Eminently suitable for the very young as well as the sickly and fevered." -- Booklist
1 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 1994
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2023
I found this book funny and the artwork cute.
August 20, 2008
Super-bright cut and torn paper collage illustrations spark up this rhyme about barnyard animals languishing with minor maladies.
The book starts at the "break of day," with one cow coughing, then counts up to ten, showing us other animals -- 7 pigs with swollen toes, 10 turkeys with mosquito bites, etc.
Once we reach 10, the book begins counting backwards, showing how the animals take care of themselves when they're sick -- the 7 pigs put ice on their swollen toes, the 4 sick hens veg out in front of the TV, the 3 sick sheep take a nap -- until we're back to the one cow, who's taking cough medicine. The next day, everybody feels better!
The text, while cute and simple, isn't the snappiest rhyme ever. The fun illustrations help keep things lively, but sometimes elements of the illustrations get lost in abstraction. While I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this book, I do think it would appeal to plenty of kids.
The book starts at the "break of day," with one cow coughing, then counts up to ten, showing us other animals -- 7 pigs with swollen toes, 10 turkeys with mosquito bites, etc.
Once we reach 10, the book begins counting backwards, showing how the animals take care of themselves when they're sick -- the 7 pigs put ice on their swollen toes, the 4 sick hens veg out in front of the TV, the 3 sick sheep take a nap -- until we're back to the one cow, who's taking cough medicine. The next day, everybody feels better!
The text, while cute and simple, isn't the snappiest rhyme ever. The fun illustrations help keep things lively, but sometimes elements of the illustrations get lost in abstraction. While I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this book, I do think it would appeal to plenty of kids.
December 27, 2012
I read this at the sports medicine Dr's office.
It was not this edition. Unless it was missing a paper cover: anyway, it was appropriate for a Dr's office, since all the barnyard animals were sick, starting out with one cow coughing, straw out of its nose...counting up to ten and including, ducks, pigs, hens, goats, geese, oxen, all the animals find cure for their ills, ( my favorite 7 hogs ice each delicate toe.)
The illustrations were a 'la' South Park, with cutouts of colored paper layered on top of each other, which became busier and more confusing as each group of animals got larger) ( NOT my favorite technique mind you,) but the story won me over, in the end it was so cute, " one cow swallows something pink" with a spoon dollop of cough syrup, dripping into its mouth!
It was not this edition. Unless it was missing a paper cover: anyway, it was appropriate for a Dr's office, since all the barnyard animals were sick, starting out with one cow coughing, straw out of its nose...counting up to ten and including, ducks, pigs, hens, goats, geese, oxen, all the animals find cure for their ills, ( my favorite 7 hogs ice each delicate toe.)
The illustrations were a 'la' South Park, with cutouts of colored paper layered on top of each other, which became busier and more confusing as each group of animals got larger) ( NOT my favorite technique mind you,) but the story won me over, in the end it was so cute, " one cow swallows something pink" with a spoon dollop of cough syrup, dripping into its mouth!
January 17, 2008
Really hilarious illustrations - the first one is of a cow sneezing with hay and snot flying everywhere. Sorry if that grossed you out, but it's so funny. He's even covering his mouth with his little hoof!
February 1, 2012
"Over the hills and far away" animals get sick from one to ten. Then the reader counts down as the animals do things to get better. Simple counting story perfect for laptime.
January 16, 2015
I have used this book many times, but I think I understand and enjoy it more than the young listeners.
September 30, 2025
meh. copy was withdrawn.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews