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Find a Cow Now!
Ruff! Ruff! Yip! Yip! Dog is rounding up whatever he can find in his urban apartment, even chairs. He is also driving his bird companion crazy with the commotion. Bird sends him to the countryside to find something more appropriate to herd, such as a cow. but since Dog has never seen a cow, he finds all the wrong animals. After being pecked by a chicken, spattered with mud by a pig, and walloped by a donkey, Dog needs a friend. By chance a mysterious and kindly animal helps lead him back to the city, only to cause chaos there, before revealing her identity -- as a cow!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
About the author
Janet Stevens
68 books59 followersJanet Stevens began drawing as a child. Pictures decorated her walls, mirrors, furniture and school work -- including math assignments. While this didn't always sit well with her teachers, it was what she loved to do.
Janet’s father was in the Navy therefore she moved a great deal and attended many schools while growing up.
After graduating from high school in Hawaii in 1971 she landed a job creating Hawaiian designs for fabric. The printed fabric was then made into aloha shirts and muumuus. After she graduated from the University of Colorado in 1975 with a degree in Fine Arts Janet began compiling a portfolio of “characters”, bears in tutus, rhinos in sneakers, and walruses in Hawaiian shirts. In 1977, she attended “The Illustrator's Workshop” in New York City, where it was suggested that her characters might find a home in a children's book. Luckily for libraries (and children's book readers in general), publishers agreed and her first book was published in 1979.
Janet is the author and illustrator of many original stories and frequently collaborates with her sister, Susan Stevens Crummel. Her trademark humorous animals also accompany the texts by such authors as Eric Kimmel and Coleen Salley,
Janet has received numerous book awards, including a Caldecott Honor Award, Time Magazine’s Ten Best Children’s Books , the Wanda Gág Best Read-Aloud Book. Child Magazine’s Best Books of the Year.. Janet's books have been named ALA Notables and have repeatedly appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List.
She is particularly proud of her state book awards, voted on by children -- which include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Nebraska and Washington. Janet has received the prestigious Texas Bluebonnet Award twice.
Janet’s father was in the Navy therefore she moved a great deal and attended many schools while growing up.
After graduating from high school in Hawaii in 1971 she landed a job creating Hawaiian designs for fabric. The printed fabric was then made into aloha shirts and muumuus. After she graduated from the University of Colorado in 1975 with a degree in Fine Arts Janet began compiling a portfolio of “characters”, bears in tutus, rhinos in sneakers, and walruses in Hawaiian shirts. In 1977, she attended “The Illustrator's Workshop” in New York City, where it was suggested that her characters might find a home in a children's book. Luckily for libraries (and children's book readers in general), publishers agreed and her first book was published in 1979.
Janet is the author and illustrator of many original stories and frequently collaborates with her sister, Susan Stevens Crummel. Her trademark humorous animals also accompany the texts by such authors as Eric Kimmel and Coleen Salley,
Janet has received numerous book awards, including a Caldecott Honor Award, Time Magazine’s Ten Best Children’s Books , the Wanda Gág Best Read-Aloud Book. Child Magazine’s Best Books of the Year.. Janet's books have been named ALA Notables and have repeatedly appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List.
She is particularly proud of her state book awards, voted on by children -- which include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Nebraska and Washington. Janet has received the prestigious Texas Bluebonnet Award twice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 11, 2017
Now that's a good dog! He may have no idea what he's doing but he finds himself a cow alright.
July 26, 2015
My 11 year old guest reader ruined this book with his robot reading. I'm sure the book is grand - with a more enthusiastic reader.
January 14, 2022
A bored and restless city dog is sent by his budgie best friend to go burn off energy and herd some cows (the title is the bird's irritated instruction). Off he goes to see if he can.
I enjoyed the illustrations, and I really enjoyed the very recognizable herding dog enthusiasm. It was a fun little adventure, full of animal noises, even if the idea of a dog wandering off on his own to the country was a little odd (as they are obviously living in a world of humans too), but picture book fiction right?
As much fun as all the farm animal noises can be, I don't know how well this would work as a storytime read. Like a lot of conversation-heavy books, it would take some rehearsals to make sure all the character's deliveries were smooth and recognizable. It could be fun as a puppet show, though, bringing all the potential "cows" to life.
I enjoyed the illustrations, and I really enjoyed the very recognizable herding dog enthusiasm. It was a fun little adventure, full of animal noises, even if the idea of a dog wandering off on his own to the country was a little odd (as they are obviously living in a world of humans too), but picture book fiction right?
As much fun as all the farm animal noises can be, I don't know how well this would work as a storytime read. Like a lot of conversation-heavy books, it would take some rehearsals to make sure all the character's deliveries were smooth and recognizable. It could be fun as a puppet show, though, bringing all the potential "cows" to life.
January 16, 2020
A Cattle Dog is stuck in a city apartment and really wants something to do besides nap. When he begins to get into trouble inside, the parrot tells him to go find a cow in the country to herd since that is what he is meant to do. Dog walks and walks and walks and eventually he finds a chicken, pig and donkey. Each animal tells him that they are not cows. Eventually Dog lays down, tired from his adventures and not finding a cow. And that is when he comes across a cow who escorts him home. But he is unaware it's a cow until they get to the city and the sight of the cow causes panic on the sidewalk. Dog herds the cow back home and is able to report back to parrot that, yes, he found a cow and yes, he was able to herd it like he was meant to do.
June 4, 2019
I loved this book! I am a little bias because my furry best friend is a blue heeler / cattle dog and she is pretty darn amazing. nonetheless, if you have ever met a cattle dog you probably will truly understand and appreciate this book. They need to be busy or they can cause some commotion. I thought this was really cute and funny, I can't wait to take this library book home to my family and read it with them. We all know Kip Adrienne (our dog) is adventurous, she makes us laugh and after she's put in some work (or play) she is finally ready for a nap, until then... watch out!
January 1, 2020
“You’re driving me crazy, silly cattle dog. You’re supposed to herd cows. Not chairs, not rugs. You need a cow.”
Dog is tired of napping and gets rambunctious. Bird doesn’t like it and tells the Dog that he needs to go find a cow. So, Dog heads for the country. The problem is he doesn’t know what a cow looks like so he tries to herd chickens, pigs, and even a donkey. Dog is discouraged and wants to do home and a kindly animal obliges him by carrying him back to the city. It is only then he discovers that it was a cow.
Dog is tired of napping and gets rambunctious. Bird doesn’t like it and tells the Dog that he needs to go find a cow. So, Dog heads for the country. The problem is he doesn’t know what a cow looks like so he tries to herd chickens, pigs, and even a donkey. Dog is discouraged and wants to do home and a kindly animal obliges him by carrying him back to the city. It is only then he discovers that it was a cow.
January 29, 2023
A cattle dog is bored, and getting pretty destructive in his big city apartment. Well, duh! His roommate, a perky parakeet who's no birdbrain, tells him to venture forth forthwith, and find a cow to herd. But . . . what the heck does a cow look like?
The story is cute enough though predictable.
The story is cute enough though predictable.
September 25, 2017
Very cute book about a dog who leaves the country to find a cow. I might shorten it for storytime...
December 6, 2017
Saw the title and HAD to read this one. It was okay. Cute, but a little odd for my taste. Sending a dog out on its own to the country? Ummm...yeah, no.
March 16, 2018
I love the bossy parakeet telling the dog what to do. The cattle dog is hilarious going from animal to animal looking for the cow. Lots of dry humor in this one!
August 9, 2021
I thought many of the animals in this book were mean. And I'm tired of meanness.
February 28, 2023
Dog goes into the country to find a cow. The only problem...he doesn't know what a cow is.
October 8, 2023
Cute book. Pictures were very nice. Recommend for ages 4 to 7.
July 7, 2024
Cute story. Young kiddos will like the dog's confusion on what a cow is.
September 11, 2023
fun. 12/12/17 Tue 12/01/22 Thu
March 10, 2014
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Incredibly cute, funny with earthy illustrations that add relevance to the story, Find a Cow Now is great for early learners. Dog is tired of living in the city, so Bird suggests he go to the country to find himself a cow to herd. As he travels to the country, Dog encounters lots of strange animals he tries to herd but neither the pig nor the chicken want anything to do with him. When he loses his way, he is helped by a large animal who coincidentally, as he learns out later, is a cow.
Cute story that will appeal to kids who love animals, Find a Cow Now uses simple words and sounds to tell its tale. Perfect for early readers, I personally enjoyed the different animal sounds that organically appeared throughout. The illustrations are very well done and in such a way to give credence to the story. All in all a darn cute story great for librarian’s needing a farm story in story time or that mom needing her next nighttime tale.
Incredibly cute, funny with earthy illustrations that add relevance to the story, Find a Cow Now is great for early learners. Dog is tired of living in the city, so Bird suggests he go to the country to find himself a cow to herd. As he travels to the country, Dog encounters lots of strange animals he tries to herd but neither the pig nor the chicken want anything to do with him. When he loses his way, he is helped by a large animal who coincidentally, as he learns out later, is a cow.
Cute story that will appeal to kids who love animals, Find a Cow Now uses simple words and sounds to tell its tale. Perfect for early readers, I personally enjoyed the different animal sounds that organically appeared throughout. The illustrations are very well done and in such a way to give credence to the story. All in all a darn cute story great for librarian’s needing a farm story in story time or that mom needing her next nighttime tale.
October 24, 2012
Dog is a cattle dog who lives in the city. He wants to run and chase and herd, but there isn't enough room in his house - nor are there any cows. Bird tells him to go find a cow, so he does. His adventures take him into the countryside where he tries to herd every animal he encounters. When he finally *does* meet a cow, he's exhausted. The cow carries him back to the city, but all of the hustle and bustle and attention they receive when they return causes the cow to panic. Dog has to take control and herd the cow back out to pasture.
This could be a fun read-aloud for kids who like dogs and doggie noises (there's a lot of repetition). Illustrations of Dog capture his doggy essence and his instinctive need to herd (OhSoExcited!!!). Not bad, but not outstanding either.
This could be a fun read-aloud for kids who like dogs and doggie noises (there's a lot of repetition). Illustrations of Dog capture his doggy essence and his instinctive need to herd (OhSoExcited!!!). Not bad, but not outstanding either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2013
Cattle dog is restless. He's tired of napping inside all day. He needs to get some of his energy out. He needs a cow to herd.
Before he manages to find an actual cow, he tries to herd a pig, a donkey, and more. They will not be herded, though, and a dejected dog just wants to go home. He finds an unusual ride back into town, though, and finally finds a cow.
I was a little disappointed in this story. It didn't have quite as much humor as some of the Stevens sisters' earlier books do, and kind of petered out at the end, like they just weren't sure how to end it. But it would still fit perfectly in to Pre-K units on Farm Animals, and those 4-year-olds would probably be pretty tickled with the simple humor.
Before he manages to find an actual cow, he tries to herd a pig, a donkey, and more. They will not be herded, though, and a dejected dog just wants to go home. He finds an unusual ride back into town, though, and finally finds a cow.
I was a little disappointed in this story. It didn't have quite as much humor as some of the Stevens sisters' earlier books do, and kind of petered out at the end, like they just weren't sure how to end it. But it would still fit perfectly in to Pre-K units on Farm Animals, and those 4-year-olds would probably be pretty tickled with the simple humor.
April 13, 2013
I had just watched a news story about cattle dogs when I picked up this book. And, sandwiching this book between presentations of information about working dogs or actual stories of such dogs would be the ideal way to share this book. Otherwise, I am not sure that kids will get the humor of a dog having such an urge to herd even the wrong animals, nor the significant feat of herding the cow through city crowds. Also, the dialogue assumes you can figure out when the dog is speaking and when the cow is talking and I didn't at first. Finally, there is enough humor there and the illustrations are large enough to make this a good storytime choice.
May 4, 2013
Dog is tired of naps. A city bird tells this city dog that it needs to find a cow to herd. The dog goes out into the country and finds a cow! No, wait. That's a chicken. That's a cow! No. That's a pig. A cow! Nope. That's a donkey. Finally, the dog decides to go home. Another large animal helps him out. They get to the city and the people become frantic! The dog herds the animal back to the country safely. When he asks the animal what his name is, he discovers that he finally found a cow! Then when he goes home, the bird asks him all sorts of questions about the cow. The dog is too tired to answer and needs a nap.
Super cute! Great for preschool storytimes.
Super cute! Great for preschool storytimes.
June 12, 2014
Even though this title has "cow" in the title, it is actually more about a restless dog. Dog begins to drive Bird crazy because of his need to move, chase, and round up everything in the house. Bird tells Dog, "You're supposed to herd cows. Not chiars, not rugs. You need a cow." Thus begins Dog's adventure. When he makes his way into the country he meets farm animals he mistakes for a cow, including a chicken, a pig, and a donkey. Does Dog find what he is searching for in the country? Does he make his way back home? Like all of their previous collaborations, the Stevens sisters are a dynamic duo in the children's picture book departement and never fail to satisfy their readers.
January 8, 2019
Bird sends her restless cattle dog housemate in search of a cow, with usual mistaken/unknown identity animals for Dog to encounter. Story is a bit uneven, but I adore the illustrations.
November 15, 2013
Fun book written by the expert team of Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel (Tops and Bottoms, Cook-a-dootle-doo). The a bored dog gets told by the parrot to go to the country and find a cow. The dog goes to the country not knowing what a cow is, thus every animal is a cow. After finding the cow they try to go back to the city together, but soon find a city isn't a place for a cow. The dog and cow return to the country, then the tired dog goes home and tells the bird that he met a cow.
Wonderful read for the PK-2nd set. Will be a Texas 2x2 next year!
Wonderful read for the PK-2nd set. Will be a Texas 2x2 next year!
January 24, 2016
I love the beginning of the book, and was fondly imagining reading it to a group of preschoolers, who would undoubtedly find it hysterical. Once the dog and cow meet, there's a shift in the rhythm and participation opportunities, making me a little unsure how it will go over. I'm curious to see if it will work anyway, but probably won't get a chance to read it for quite a while.
February 23, 2013
Dog needs something to herd. He can't herd chairs and rugs anymore. So he heads out to the country to find a cow to herd. Along the way he finds all kinds of other animals that don't need herding. Finally, just when he was going to give up, he finds a cow and he gets to herd it! Fun story with funny illustrations. Who doesn't love a dog?
March 17, 2013
A cow is bored with his city life and decides to walk to the country to her cows. First he finds a chicken, then a pig, then a donkey. When he finally finds a cow, ehe just wants to go home. The illustrations portray the farm animals as larger than the dog but with humorous results. The colors are soft and muted.
June 3, 2013
A city dog that was breed to herd cows gets restless, and is encouraged to find a cow by his parrot friend. Dog has a hard time finding one since he doesn't know what a cow looks like. I won't give it away, but the book is fun to read aloud or one on one. There's lots of animal sounds but the book is definitely for story times geared towards those out of diapers.
July 5, 2013
Audience: Primary-
Genre: picture book
Book share: Have you ever seen a cow? Well this dog has a problem. He's looking for a cow, but doesn't know what one looks like! If you're an animal lover you'll love this tale about K-9's, birds, and many more! Find out what happens to dog on his journey to find a cow.
Genre: picture book
Book share: Have you ever seen a cow? Well this dog has a problem. He's looking for a cow, but doesn't know what one looks like! If you're an animal lover you'll love this tale about K-9's, birds, and many more! Find out what happens to dog on his journey to find a cow.
November 12, 2016
As a storytime book this story was not a success. I thought it would be fun for the kids to help the dog identify the animals (for example, when the dog first got to the country and said a chicken was a cow, I thought kids would find that funny). However all though, that was no true. With the dialogue back and forth I lost the kids early on in the story.
September 8, 2019
Dog is bored and stircrazy. Bird recommends he head out to the country and herd cows. So dog sets out to find a cow, but he has no idea what a cow looks like.
The part with Dog investigating the farm animals is a great way to get kids to interact with the story. Too bad it makes up less than half of the book.
The part with Dog investigating the farm animals is a great way to get kids to interact with the story. Too bad it makes up less than half of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews