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Saturday, January 22, 2022

Petal the Angry Cow, written by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Olga Demidova. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2022. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 


"Unfortunately, Petal had a temper. 

If the dog borrowed her stuff
without asking, she'd try to bite him. 

If the pigs played a practical joke on her, 
she'd try to kick them. 

If the chickens teased her, 
she'd shout bad words at them.
"

Petal is an amazing cow; she works hard, she creates appealing art, she dances like a champ, and she is smart and kind. She also has the most awful temper. She is a menace when things don't go her way. The farmer is not pleased with her behaviors. He lectures, he demands apologies, and he gives time-outs.  

 At times she gives in to thinking about other ways to handle things, but she prefers retribution. When the farmer makes an exciting announcement, the animals are delighted. They are going to the water park, with a stop for treats afterwards. In her exuberance, the horse jumps joyfully into the air. Regretfully, she lands on Petal's hoof. Petal's explosive anger and name calling upsets the farmer. Petal will no longer be able to attend their field trips until she can control her temper. 

Oh, dear! Petal hurries away, crying. A swan offers an ear, and then displays some pretty peculiar behaviors. As Petal watches the swan scream and knock things over when things don't go its way, or stalk off when the farmer doesn't choose the story it wants to hear, Petal quickly offers advice. 

"If you want to be our friend, you need 
to start acting like a friend. No screaming. 
No shrieking - "

Can Petal take her own advice? What do you think? 

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