The basis of the story is this: Poor unwitting Farmer Brown has left an old typewriter in the barn, and his cows have gotten hold of it. Now he's receiving notes with the cows' demands for improved working conditions: i.e., electric blankets for those chilly farm nights. His refusal leads to a strike, not only by the cows, but by their compatriots the hens, who hope for some electric blankets themselves. Eventually Duck, a neutral party (the book really does use the term "neutral party"; "ultimatum," too) takes on the job of go-between, and in the end...Nope, you'll just have to see for yourself. The illustrations are in watercolor but have the lines and feel of cartoons, which is pretty cool. But the best part, I swear, is that last page, although, like every good ending, it wouldn't be what it is without everything that comes before it.
So here's my challenge if you're up for it. Take your kid--or borrow one if you don't have your own--and go to the bookstore or library. Take C, C, M off the shelf and read it out loud: cold. See if you can make it through the end without cracking up in public, causing the other adult shoppers to look askance at you and making your little companion impatient for you to get a grip on yourself and go back to reading like a normal person so he or she can find out how the story ends already.
To be fair, I'll admit I was at home when the crack-up happened to me, but I'll take my own challenge with Giggle, Giggle, Quack at my local Barnes & Noble. Sure, I could be setting myself up for embarrassment, but it'll be worth it. I love these books, I'll take any excuse to go to Barnes & Noble, and so far I even still love the look Isaiah gives me that says, "Hey, um...Mama, please pardon me for asking, but what the heck is wrong with you?" Ah, just wait until you can read, kid! Just wait. Then you'll understand.
