Welcome to the serene pastures of literature where cows are more than just part of the scenery—they’re heroes, companions, and sometimes, the stars of the show. If you’ve ever been captivated by the calm, knowing eyes of a cow or chuckled at their curious antics, this post is for you. Cows in books offer us stories filled with humor, heart, and, sometimes, a dash of bovine wisdom.
Whether it’s tales of countryside adventures, the bond between humans and animals, or simply the joyous life of cows, there’s a richness to be discovered in these narratives. So, pull up a hay bale, get comfortable, and let’s mosey through a handpicked selection of books about cows. From the whimsical to the profound, these stories promise to deliver a new appreciation for these beloved animals, showcasing their intelligence, emotional depth, and the peaceful presence they bring to the pages they inhabit.
6 Books About Cows
Cows have played a significant role in human history and culture for thousands of years. Books about cows explore their cultural and historical significance, including their roles in agriculture, religion, mythology, and folklore. Here are six books on cows and other domestic animals.
Most of them are for children, and two are for adults. These books provide insights into how cows have shaped human societies and influenced our beliefs, traditions, and practices. Let’s read!
| Name | Key Focus | Rating (Goodreads) |
|---|---|---|
| Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin | The story between animals and farmers where animals want their rights. | 4.2/5 |
| Good Night Farm by Patricia Hegarty | The animals have families, and the story focuses on how they care for their families. | 4/5 |
| Holy Cow by David Duchovny | Three animals are trying to survive and not turning into food. | 3.3/5 |
| Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy Ph.D., Yuval Noah Harari | The story focuses on the brutality and behavior of human among animals. | 4.1/5 |
| The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf | A bull tries to discover itself and struggles with difficulties. | 4.3/5 |
| Cows by Mr. Matthew Stokoe | The story focuses on how a psycho man turns into a cow for his sin and what happens afterward. | 3.2/5 |
1. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Have you ever wondered what would happen if animals could talk? In this book, you can explore this question fun and excitingly. Farmer Brown’s cows have come across a typewriter. They now take it upon themselves to ask for or demand electric blankets in a cold barn at night by writing notes to the farmer.
Farmer Brown is forced to consider whether he should give the cows what they want or face the consequences of leaving them unhappy. He convinced the cows to stop asking for an electric blanket. Will the cows win the argument and take over the whole farm? Find out.
This book has an excellent story for young learners aged 5 to 8. The idea is the farmer is getting messages from the cows. That’s how it starts, and he’s wondering what the problem is. The cows are typing messages and leaving them for the farmer, a funny story. You have the chickens, indeed. They say no milk and no eggs. Also, you’ve got a duck talking about: Okay, we’ll exchange our typewriters for some electric blankets.
So, it’s a lot of fun and simple to go through. You will get wonderfully funny pictures with vivid imagery, bright colors, and animated characters that add to the story. It was even named an honor book for its pictures. The humor and excitement of this story in vivid and colorful pictures and enjoyable storytelling elements combine to make for a book that is so much fun to read.
Author: Doreen Cronin
Narrator: Randy Travis
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Average Rating: 4.9/5
Tropes: Humorous Fiction, Fantasy
Number Of Pages: 32
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Spiral-bound
2. Good Night Farm
A nighttime routine makes nighttime a little easier for everyone with three kids. That is a perfect addition to a bedtime story. Good Night Farm is a board bedtime book. So, the pages are hard cardboard to hold up to your baby’s super grip. It’s amazing how much grip those babies have. So the book is perfect because it is about saying good night to all farm animals.
You’re taken through a farm and encounter pigs, cows, and horses, and how those animals prepare for the evening with their families and say goodnight. You’ll encounter a little spot with each animal that kids can touch. They can pet the horse’s mane when saying goodnight to the animal. The touch and feel are nice in an interactive sense. It’s also tied into a goodnight routine, showing animals going through their goodnight routine. So, the story alone adds to that and the ritual of reading it.
Unlike many other board books aimed at babies, there is quite a bit of word on the pages, which makes this book great for babies, but as they age, they can see the words, say words, and repeat them. Also, babies can read the story themselves as part of the goodnight routine. So, if you love animals and teach your baby about them, pick it.
Author: Patricia Hegarty
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Average Rating: 4.8/5
Tropes: Sleep Issues, Nature, Science, Travel
Grade level: 1 – Kindergarten
Number Of Pages: 18
Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
Dimensions: 8.38 x 0.75 x 9 inches
Available: Boardbook
3. Holy Cow
The story is about a cow, a turkey, and a pig. But more specifically, cow Elsie is her name, and she is the main character named Holy Cow. But she escapes. So Elsie goes up to the window of the barn house because she notices that the latch on their gate isn’t all the way closed.
Then she peeks into the window, sees them watching TV, and sees what happens to terrified cows. So she decides to escape, and she doesn’t go alone. The pig and the turkey go with her.
You go with them on all these adventures, trying to survive as animals and not turning into food. You learn about Elsie’s story during these adventures, which is fun. You can see it in this book if you’re familiar with David Duchovny and his humor. I enjoyed reading it because it was funny. Adults who are kids at heart can appreciate this because of that aspect. Give it a try if you can get it from a library or see if it’s for you.
Author: David Duchovny
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Average Rating: 4.2/5
Tropes: Satire, Comedy
Number Of Pages: 224
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD
4. Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows
The book was published in 2010. Fun fact: It was Melanie Joy’s Ph.D. dissertation about why we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows. So you know that this is all scientifically proven; otherwise, she wouldn’t have received her Ph.D. The story is about animals and how we treat them.
The book describes the lives of millions of cows, pigs, and other domestic animals. The cruelty that stands behind the processes that go on in the system. It partly explains why most of the readers don’t eat dogs. Still, it gives us some leeway to think and connect the dots, which is excellent. The author introduces us to Carnism, which is the opposite of vegetarianism.
Carnism is meat-eating, and vegetarianism is plant-eating. It can be compared to patriarchy and genocide. If you think about it, carnism is also based on prejudice and violence against animals. But Carnivores aren’t necessarily bad people who don’t know what’s happening in the slaughterhouses and how the animals are treated. It’s mostly those two options.
So, the meat-producing factories are a whole new level of violence. The brutality involved in the process is unreal. That makes you question and rethink all the food choices you ever made. Many people who have been too exposed to the system of producing meat have PTSD.
You’re getting nightmares and all other post-traumatic experiences. It even stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. I will not explain what happens in those factories in detail, but I hope you will read the book and see it yourself. Don’t pick hardcover because paperback quality is much better than any other print. The paperback/kindle’s font size and color combination are perfect for reading.
Author: Melanie Joy Ph.D., Yuval Noah Harari
Narrator: Heather Wynne
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Animal Rights, Food Science, Nature & Ecology, Psychology, Philosophy
Number Of Pages: 224
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
5. The Story of Ferdinand
The story is about a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights after Ferdinand accidentally sits on a bumblebee. He is mistakenly selected as a ferocious bull. When Ferdinand is taken to the bullfight, he lies in the middle of the ring and smells the flowers. Ferdinand is taken back to his pasture, still smelling the flowers, where he can be found today.
In 1938, this book ranked number-one bestseller in the United States. Ferdinand was dubbed the most excellent juvenile classic since Winnie the Pooh. As a parent, if you’re looking for a child’s book, a classic, a number one bestseller with good reading skills, good teaching lessons, stirs the imagination, and is more than a run, then this book is for you and your teachers’ pick.
Author: Munro Leaf
Narrator: Brian Amador
Publisher: Listening Library
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Cultural studies, Dystopian
Number Of Pages: 72
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
6. Cows
The book is regarded as the most disturbing horror novel. It comes up in discussion a lot on the horror-lit subreddit. There are different sexualities and animal cruelty with dogs and cows. So, I wouldn’t recommend it to almost anyone unless you know what you’re getting into and are curious. While I was reading it, I wanted to know what would happen. So, it’s a tough one to pin down.
Our main character, Steven, lives with his mom in a little apartment. His mom’s a horrible human who tortures him physically and mentally. So Steven’s stuck there, and he watches TV all day. All he does is sit in his room, watch TV, and fantasize about having a life. He wants a wife and kids, and he wants to be happy.
One day, Steven comes up with a plan to escape this bad situation. So he’s trying to figure out a way to kill his mom and get out of there. He’s got a girlfriend who lives a couple of floors above him. She’s also a depraved human. So, there are no good people, and everyone’s horrible in this book.
Steven gets a job at a slaughterhouse, killing cows. Going with the book’s theme, everyone who works there is the worst person you’ve ever imagined. They all love killing. So after he works there for a while, they take him under their wing and start teaching him to be a lover of killing.
Then, the second half gets into this territory where there are talking cows and another strange underground sewer stuff. I expected an American psycho-type reveal for a massive chunk of the book. I do not recommend this book unless you’re brave enough to read it.
Author: Mr. Matthew Stokoe
Average Rating: 3.5/5
Tropes: Dystopian Fiction, Horror Literature, Psychological-thriller
Number Of Pages: 216
Available: Paperback | Kindle
5 Nonfiction Books About Cows
- “The Secret Life of Cows” by Rosamund Young
This book offers a delightful and eye-opening look into the lives of cows based on the author’s experiences on her organic farm. Young shares stories that reveal cows’ intelligence, personality, and social complexity, challenging conventional perceptions and highlighting the depth of their emotional lives. It’s a heartwarming read that advocates for a more compassionate and respectful approach to farming.
- “Cowed: The Hidden Impact of 93 Million Cows on America’s Health, Economy, Politics, Culture, and Environment” by Denis Hayes and Gail Boyer Hayes
“Cowed” is a comprehensive examination of the cow’s impact on various aspects of American life and the global environment. The authors describe the history of cattle in America, the environmental effects of beef and dairy production, and the health implications of consuming cow products. This book critically examines the industry and suggests more sustainable practices for the future.
- “Moo: A Book About Cows” by Jane Smiley
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley turns her attention to the subject of cows, combining her personal experiences with extensive research. Smiley explores cows’ biology, history, and cultural significance, infused with her characteristic wit and insight. While partly a memoir of her own experiences on a farm, the book also serves as a broader cultural and scientific exploration of cows.
- “Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production” by Nicolette Hahn Niman
Written by an environmental lawyer and vegetarian turned cattle rancher, “Defending Beef” argues against common criticisms of beef production. Niman presents the case for sustainable, regenerative grazing practices that benefit the environment, animal welfare, and human health. This book challenges conventional wisdom about the impact of beef and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of cattle’s role in the ecosystem.
- “Beautiful Cows” by Val Porter, Jeremy Hopley, and Andrew Perris
“Beautiful Cows” showcases the beauty and diversity of cow breeds through stunning photography and informative breed descriptions. This book celebrates cows beyond their agricultural value, highlighting their unique characteristics, history, and the passion of those who raise and care for them. It’s a visual and educational tribute to cows around the world.
5 Fiction Books About Cows
- “The Cow Who Clucked” by Denise Fleming
This delightful picture book tells the story of a cow who wakes up one morning to find that she can only cluck instead of moo. She journeys to find her lost moo, meeting various animals along the way. It’s a charming story of identity, communication, and friendship, suitable for young readers and beautifully illustrated to capture their imagination.
- “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
This humorous and cleverly written book features a group of cows who find a typewriter in their barn and start making demands to the farmer, typing letters that negotiate for better living conditions. It’s a fun read that explores themes of negotiation, collective bargaining, and the power of communication, making it a hit among children and adults alike.
- “The Book of the Dun Cow” by Walter Wangerin Jr.
This novel is a fantastical allegory that centers around Chauntecleer the Rooster and a band of farmyard animals who face an apocalyptic battle against evil. Among the memorable characters is a cow named Pertelote, who plays a crucial role in the story. The book blends elements of heroism, myth, and the profound bond between animals and the earth, offering a narrative that is both epic and deeply moving.
- “Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale” by David Duchovny
Written by actor David Duchovny, this novel is a witty and satirical look at the life of Elsie Bovary, a cow who gains consciousness about her existence and the world beyond the farm. Along with a turkey and a pig, she sets off on an adventurous quest for freedom and understanding. Duchovny uses humor and insight to explore themes of animal rights, religion, and humanity’s impact on the earth, making it an engaging read for a thoughtful audience.
- “Paula Spencer” by Roddy Doyle
While not exclusively about cows, “Paula Spencer” features moments that highlight the character’s connection to these animals, symbolizing her journey towards recovery and self-discovery. The novel follows Paula Spencer as she struggles with sobriety and the challenges of family life. Doyle’s portrayal of everyday life is realistic and compassionate, with moments of interaction with cows as metaphors for Paula’s personal growth and resilience.
Last Words
The books we’ve explored together have taken us across verdant fields and into the hearts of cows and those who care for them, offering tales of friendship, adventure, and the simple pleasures of life on the farm. These stories remind us of the beauty in the every day, the soulful eyes that watch the world with quiet wisdom, and the unexpected moments of connection between humans and animals.
Whether you’ve discovered a new favorite among these bovine tales or are simply left with a warm feeling and a smile, we hope this exploration has opened the gate to more reading adventures celebrating the animal kingdom in all its diversity. So, until our next literary excursion, happy reading, and may the gentle spirit of cows inspire you to find joy in the peaceful moments and companionship in the pages you turn.
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