Cows

by Lynn M. Stone

An introduction to the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of cows and their relationship to humans.

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Lynn M. Stone is the author and photographer of Rabbit Breeds. Stone is a naturalist, nature photographer, and writer whose photos have appeared in such magazines as National Wildlife, Ranger Rick, National Geographic, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Natural History, Audubon, and Smithsonian.

Reviews

[Peacegal]

I am not a fan of this series. I see it as typifying the worst in children’s farm animal literature.

The view of animals as mere resources for human whim is dominant throughout this book. Cows are “important for their meat and dairy products.” No discussion of cows’ herd social structure, personalities , devotion to their calves, or other identifying information is given. As if that weren’t bad enough, the manner in which most cows are raised is also glossed over and ignored.

Perhaps saddest of all is the text opposite a beautiful photograph of a mother cow nursing her newborn:

Male calves are sometimes sold for meat known as veal.

It should be noted that as in other entries in the series, all photographs depict animals in bucolic settings. There is no mention of the factory feedlots that are the reality for the vast majority of cattle.

[Rebecca]

If you want to learn about cows, this is your book.