Comments on: Moody Cow Meditates, by Kerry Lee MacLean

By: Dana Eisenberg

Dana Eisenberg — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:41:45 +0000

I’m not sure if you’re implying that I’m a friend of the writer Acey but, for the record, I don’t know the writer at all and nobody worked on that post with or for me. I invested my thought and care in my reply because I was hoping to give a different perspective that might be helpful to those who care about children. If I’ve misunderstood the meaning of your comment, I apologize.

By: Acey

Acey — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:39:00 +0000

Might still be a good book though after reading all reviews.

By: Acey

Acey — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:23:19 +0000

Dana Eisenberg = Very good friend of the writer’s who both worked on that post. Very long and thought out defense. hmmm

By: Dana Eisenberg

Dana Eisenberg — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:31:47 +0000

I’d have to say that I disagree with your review. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a School Counselor who works with elementary school kids and I plan to use this book in my classroom guidance lessons. I interpreted the book very differently. Not being able to find mother was concerning for sure, but not that unusual. Mom may have run out to the garage for a few minutes to look for something. Or maybe the child didn’t really look everywhere. Or maybe it is a neglect situation but, neglect does happen. I know many real live kids who can’t always find a parent to be available when they need one. As for the bus, I read it that it was missed because of the tumult of the altercation, not as a punishment. The book uses exaggeration here and elsewhere, which is a common and useful approach to story telling. It validates the sometimes exaggerated reactions we, and especially kids, can have to troubling situations. Besides, for all we know the school was only a block away, it just felt like miles. (Remember: I used to have to walk 10 miles to school barefoot, uphill, both ways).
The violence is pretty harsh for ordinary children. However, my experience is that kids prone to violence will feel that someone understands their feelings when reading this book. Kids not prone to violence will be shocked by the violent choices Peter and his sister make and understand that they are reading an exaggerated story. Even kids who aren’t violent by nature sometimes have violent thoughts or impulses. It’s okay to talk about these rather than pretend they don’t exist and write only sweet stories of well-mannered, clean thinking children and their ideal parents.
As for “Moody Cow” I read it that Mom was being affectionate (“I think she felt sorry for me.”) when she said “You are a moody cow aren’t you” rather than cruel or harsh. The sister just happened to over hear and turn the term into a slur (how many siblings haven’t done something mean like that?)
Overall, I find the story refreshingly honest about the range of feelings and the stresses that children experience. I’ll be making mind jars with my second graders and hopefully with the third grade classes as well. If you decide to get rid of the book still, I’d be glad to receive your copy as we have a pretty tight budget at my low income public school.
Thanks for hearing me out. And, by the way, I do agree that the problem with a “cow” designation will most likely be picked up on by my rural students.
Dana

By: Bodhipaksa

Bodhipaksa — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:00:49 +0000

Hi PJ,

I’ll look out for them. Thanks for the tip.

Bodhipaksa

By: PJ

PJ — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:05:12 +0000

By chance, have you checked out any of Lori Lite’s books? I haven’t bought/read them yet, but they appear to take a different approach in getting their message across.
http://stressfreekids.com/

By: Bodhipaksa

Bodhipaksa — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:25:15 +0000

I have to say I didn’t feel entirely happy about giving a bad review to a children’s author, but while it can be easier just not to review books you don’t like I think it’s fairer to let people know what I think of a particular book.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:32:14 +0000

Hmmm. Bodhipaksa, I heard about your review in another blog and I was curious enough to track it down. A book about children’s meditation given a negative review puzzled me. After reading your review (four times. I wanted to make sure I understood what your were saying) my puzzlement is gone. I totally agree with everything you say. As a children’s fiction writer I’m always interested in what’s new and I can only theorize that in this case the publisher thought ‘Meditation and kids…we can’t lose’. Big mistake.
Have fun with your young family, they grow up so fast, as children they’re only on loan to us.
Maureen hume http://www.thepizzagang.com