“Crash, Splash, Moo!” by Bob Shea
Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2018, 32 pages, Grades K-2.
Primary school children love books that involve the class in activities. This can be rhythmic clapping, finger games or other interactive lessons. The books are usually fun and kids will sometimes want to repeat the lesson. Teachers need to exercise care on repeat performances lest the class becomes over-excited, but these books properly incorporated into lesson plans can add zest to the day.
Bob Shea has created such a book. It is entitled “Crash, Splash, Moo!” It resembles a television game show where the participants make guesses about the next event and are rewarded or penalized for their answers.
Like any good contestant show, Shea introduces the characters. First, we meet the Action Clam. Second, readers meet the Cow. Finally, Mr. Monkey makes his appearance. In the first scene, the Action Clam must drive a race car into a giant tower of blocks. Readers are asked to make a prediction. Will he crash, splash or moo afterward?
As the blocks cascade down on Action Clam, we discover that the right guess was crash. For those with the right answer, a banana is awarded. We learn that those with the most correct guesses will get the ultimate game prize at the end of the book.
The next scene is the Cow on a skateboard. What will she do, will she crash, splash or moo? Cow zings on her skateboard down a long, curving ramp. What is going to happen? Will Cow successfully maneuver the difficult ramp? When we turn the next page, we find out. I had guessed wrong, so I get no banana.
The obstacles keep coming. Now it is the Action Clam’s chance to get launched from a giant cannon into a glass of water. With a loud bang, Action Clam flies through the air. What happens?
Does Action Clam actually land in the glass of water? How many more episodes happen in the book? Who has the most interesting adventure in the story? Have you ever had an exciting thing happen in your life? My first exciting adventure was learning to ride a bicycle. Sometimes simple things can give us the most fun. To find out about all the action stories and the winner of the game prize, go to the library and check out this funny, humorous story, “Crash, Splash, Moo!” by Bob Shea.
This book makes no attempt to give students some kind of morally transforming experience. It is simply a delightful story. The pictures are clever and funny. I particularly liked those with Cow going “Moo” as she rode on skateboards and other objects. If you need a pick-me-up someday, read this to a child and laugh with them. It would also be very effective in a K-2 classroom on a rainy day when the students need some excitement.
“Crash, Splash, Moo!” won the Golden Sower Award in the K-3 category making it the most popular book in the State of Nebraska for primary school children. Do yourself a favor, read this charming book. Better yet, read it with a younger member of your family. It will create a memory moment.
