Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow

Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow

by Sal Barbara

ISBN: 978-0985061111
$ 14.48 (hardback)

The story of "MaryElizabeth The Spotless Cow" takes us on the journey she travels to figure out how to get the cows at a new farm to like and accept her.

While she hopes to find friendship at her new home, instead she learns what it means to be different from everyone else. (Spotless!) Mary Elizabeth uses clever ideas and a sense of humor to help her on her quest for friends at the new farm.

This inspiring tale shows how perseverance in spite of obstacles, using a sound thought process to arrive at solutions and the importance of having fun, using humor and enjoying playtime can build friendships.

When you buy this book, 50% of net proceeds go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Life Program to make a difference in the lives of children with critical and life threatening illnesses.

My thoughts:

What a cute book! I have a little 4 year old girl in my daycare who was very interested in this book. She started preschool in August and one of her little classmates doesn't have an arm. Her teacher told us one day that they found her crouched down by the wall in the playground area crying and crying and it wasn't until that night when she and her mother were lying in bed that little Miss S told her that there was a boy in her class who didn't have an arm. She was afraid that would happen to her. Mom, Miss S and her teacher sat down together and explained to her that sometimes girls don't have arms and sometimes they do. Sometimes boys don't have legs and sometimes they do. Some kids don't have moms and some do (and so on)... that's just the way they are born.

I so wish that I had had this book then.... I loved how upbeat, encouraging and positive Mary Elizabeth is throughout the story and thought the way children are encouraged and taught that everyone is different no matter if we have spots or not was perfect! The first day Mary Elizabeth comes to the farm the other cows ignore her and refuse to play or talk with her - and the next day when they wake up to find that Mary Elizabeth suddenly has spots they are amazed and have a great time together. So, what happens when her spots disappear again?

This is a perfect book for preschoolers 4 and up (3 if they can sit and read comfortably). There will be lots of questions and concerns and little kiddos trying to process that there are cows and people out there without spots (or arms) and it's a great book for starting conversations!

Purchasing information: During the month of October, purchase Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow from the Sweetles website for only $12.00 (List price: $17.99). When you buy this book, 50% of net proceeds go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Life Program. Visit http://www.sweetles.com/product/books/mary-elizabeth-the-spotless-cow-book/ for more information.

Read an excerpt:

Once upon a time........there was a farm in Ohio with lots of Cows. They all had many spots to be proud of. One day a truck pulled into the farm. The back door opened and out came a new Cow. The other Cows were so excited to have a new friend!

But as the new Cow came out of the truck the other Cows looked on in shock!!! 

"Oh My!’’ ’’What on Earth?!"

It seems the new Cow, whose name was Mary Elizabeth, had no spots!

’’Where are your spots??!!’’ Demanded the Cow called Anna Belle. ’’I don’t have any spots. I was born spotless, you see.’’

Well, Anna Belle and the other Cows were horrified.

(Not mad, you had to be very careful about mad)

About the author:

Sal is the author and illustrator of “A Sweetles Dream”® book series. As the Creative Director for Hartman-Barbera llc, a family media & entertainment company, he is also an animator, sculptor, painter and all around fun guy. Sal lives the phrase: “A day without laughter is a wasted day”. To that end, he uses his writing, illustrating and animation skills to create endearing characters and comedic stories.

Sal's sense of humor and empathy for his characters explore personal and social situations in ways that makes it enjoyable for both adults and children to experience together. Born in New York City, Sal moved to North Bergen, NJ where he grew up on a steep hillside neighborhood with his four older sisters. He currently lives in sunny Arizona with his wife and artistic partner, Sheri, who he defines as his inspiration. On any given day Sal might be painting, sculpting, drawing, animating, writing or enjoying one of his favorite pastimes: cooking, television, movies and golf.

Visit Sal Barbera’s website at http://www.salbarbera.com.

 

Disclaimer:

I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading. =D