Monday, February 28, 2011

Book Review:"Morning Miss Moo" (story of an ornery cat) by Carrie Dow, Illustrations by Roxanne Macke

"Miss Moo"
"Ever been bossed around? Been told what to do? That's Miss Moo!"

"Morning Miss Moo" is  based on Carrie Dow's own cat, a stray found behind the garage.

Anyone who has been "owned" by a cat can relate to the infamous scene that occurs in most households, where before the sun has even had a chance to rise, our feline food machines are at-the-ready, game plans for how to awaken us ingrained in their crafty kitty craniums. This event is the crux of "Morning Miss Moo", author Carrie Dow's first children's book, .

The book, for me, a tad on the short side (approx 10 pages), but possibly purrfect for the 4 and under crowd's limited attention span) focuses on Miss Moo's quest for her breakfast,  and how she is going to waken her "blonde" (Mom) in order to to accomplish this task.

Once fed, like any kitty worthy of calling itself a cat, Miss Moo pretty much wants nothing more to do with the "blonde" other than to return to the "blonde's" bed after eating, curl up beside her and  go to sleep.



The illustrations by Roxanne Macke of Broomfield, CO. are quite good. Macke is a graphic artist and she was able to use digital photos of Miss Moo and put them into her illustrations.

Carrie Dow is hoping to turn the book into a series, an excellent idea. While being a cute, pleasant read, in my opinion "Morning Miss Moo (story of an ornery cat)" didn't quite show me enough of why Miss Moo is ornery. Tapping her "blonde's" face and chin to awaken her is far from "ornery" to me.

When attempting to awaken my husband for his breakfast,  Cody turns on the printer and knocks anything off of the bedroom dresser that he can get his paws on to make sure our feet hit the floor in short order! THAT'S "ornery!"

Children in particular love to read about silly and mischievous behavior (especially when it is an animal exhibiting objectionable behavior), that they can associate with, learn from and giggle like crazy at.

I would have liked to have seen Carrie Dow tie into the book (if it IS the first of a series), how she came to acquire Miss Moo and how Miss Moo earned her name. It is mentioned on the press release that the "Dows named her Miss Moo because instead of saying "meow" like other cats, she says "moo".


It is my hope that Carrie Dow DOES continue with the series. The title "Morning Miss Moo (story of an ornery cat) is great, but there was something missing in this story for me. More development of the actual story is needed, show us just how  "ornery" Miss Moo really is!




Miss Moo has her own blog. Read it at www.missmooblog.blogspot.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Carrie Dow is a freelance magazine writer who lives with her husband in Lakewood, Colorado. Along with Miss Moo, she also has an orange tabby Snickers, and a black English Labrador named Jasmine.


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:Roxanne Macke is an environmental artist/graphic designer. She lives with her husband, their two dogs, Yorkiepoo Frodo and a black Labrador mix, Brodie, in Broomfield, Colorado. www.2roxstudios.com


The book is currently available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. ISBN 978-1-4269-1 879-7.

29 comments:

  1. Cute illustrations!!!
    It sounds an interesting and cute book for the little ones.

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  2. Hmmm, me guesses a picture book of me - the Cat From Hell and how I got my name, would NOT be appropriate for the Kddie crowd!
    Me can see it now, a book about me!
    Nellie

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  3. @Priscilla I love the illustrations too!

    @Nellie now YOU are an "ornery" cat!! lol!!!! But that is just why we LOVE YOU! You are an "ornery" cat with a giant heart!

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  4. Oh that sounds like a cute book for little kids. I always loved cat-related books when I was little. But it does sound like it would be fun to get more stories about Miss Moo!

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  5. Awww, that looks very sweet. I think mummy should get me that book for my bedtime read :) xx

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  6. Oh yeah, I agree with you-- my cats do a whole lot more than tap my face when they want their noms in the morning! I also don't like that she perpetuates the biggest cat myth of all -- that cats are aloof and don't want anything to do with their person after being fed. That's baloney! =^..^=

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  7. Cody and Caren,

    Thanks for the review of "Miss Moo"! It sounds like a cute story, although as you've pointed out (from your telling), it seems like there's something missing.

    The concept definitely has merit.

    If Carrie needs "naughty" examples, I can help her out with Mikey alone!

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  8. It looks like a cute book!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  9. For preschoolers, no sense in bludgeoning them with all that cats are capable of doing. And short is sometimes what's needed for antsy first graders too. I'm going to check out the book on-line. A friend of mine did a book on her kitties through Creative Memories on-line. Snapfish offers such things too for us who just want a book for themselves and their families.

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  10. ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday to You..♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to You..♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday..Dear Dakota ...♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to You!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

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  11. What a fair and honest and fab review!!! Thank you Caren!! Ten pages long with lots of illustrations sounds just right for me for the kiddies with lots of potential for a longer series - hopefully it's the kind that allows the reader to get to know Miss Moo better as the series develops! take care
    x

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  12. the illustrations are superb! I think I know who I can buy that book for!
    x

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  13. Dat sounds like a darling book. Will have to think about gifts for dat age range.

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  14. Hehe, tell me about it. I'm up at 430Am these days to feed Au. Book sounds great!

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  15. Thanks everyone for stopping by! Have been super busy today (still with cleanup and moving things over here) so I am not able to answer each commment individually today. I do appreciate everyone who stopped by...thanks to Nellie for wishing Dakota a Happy Birthday! That was beautiful!!
    Yes..the book is cute! I just think that there is waaaay more to tell and hopefully Carrie will.
    I love the illustrations as well!

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  16. Ha ha ha. I'd write a book but it would not be suitable reading for anyone under, oh, say, 65 or so. By then people are mostly unshockable.

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  17. I can really identify..I am blonde:) I live with 5 M-Cats in Hairball Alley.And Jazzpurr wakes me up every morning by patting me with his paw..I had to break him of the nipping me habit fast
    ..That is the story I have been trying to tell for the last few years. I think it's a good idea to keep the book short...and How Miss Moo got her name is great for a sequel.

    Maynard The Maine Coon - one of the M-Cats- says he isn't interested in any story that is not about him-....Hrumph...love the illustrations...

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  18. That sounds like a cute book! Maybe future books will develop Miss Moo's orneriness.

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  19. @Spitty I would LOVE to read your book lol! I am 55 (but mentally I am 25) and NOTHING shocks ME!

    @The Island Cats it is quite cute. I am hoping the same thing about future books and I am sure that they will.

    @The Big Girl love Maynard's "cattitude"...thanks much for sharing your opinion. I love when people interact with opposing viewpoints or when they mention things that we can stop and think about and you have done that quite well!

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  20. Dear Caren,
    Thank you for your HONEST Review !
    Mom said if you can say "Morning Miss Moo (story of an ornery cat) is great, but there was something missing in this story " She said she will stuck with her favorite kid book " The Little Book of Calm For Cat " by Stuart & Linda Macfarline. It's not actually a story, It's a kind of How to for Cat !
    She wish you read this book..IT's so Funny !!!!

    xxxx

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  21. Looks like so interesting, the illustrations are adorable!Thanks for this fabulous review!
    Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

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  22. I love the line "Anyone who has been "owned" by a cat" Man, that is true! Alex sure owns us!

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  23. @Puddy...THANK YOU!Now YOU are an "ornery" cat!!!! roflmao!!! (kidding!! You know I love you but you have a DEFINITE mind of your own and that is what makes you even more lovable!) I thought the book was cute and the illustrations were superb but when I finished it I said "That's it?" There is sooo much more (even in the morning routine) that could have been cultivated (even for small children) and I am hoping in the ensuing series that it is.Thanks for the tip on the other book, I may have to check it out. xoxoxo

    @Hilary, that line was mine but thank you!!!

    @Luna you are most welcome and thanks for your support as always!

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  24. I do like the illustrations. Perhaps the author will take your advice and do more with Miss Moo.

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  25. Nice to see a book that hopes to train the little ones on how to treat a feline.

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  26. Very helpful review. I think you should write a book about Cody waking you up! You already had me laughing.

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