Andy Griffiths | BOOKS | The Big Fat Cow Goes Kapow!

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow

Oh no — watch out!
Don’t look now!

Inside this book is an
EXPLODING cow!

FIVE...

FOUR...

THREE...

TWO...

ONE...

KAPOW!

More rhyming mayhem and comic madness from the bestselling duo of the inspired JUST! series. Andy Griffiths’ rhyming text — that will entice and engage the most reluctant child to read while laughing all the way — is hilariously counterpointed by Terry Denton’s delightfully wonky illustrations. A side-splitting companion to the award-winning and Children's Book Council shortlisted title, The Cat on the Mat is Flat.

Reviews

For the first time, my seven and a half year old twins wanted to read tonight. We had bought a copy of the big fat cow book...they have been really struggling, but the look on their faces tonight when they found a book they could not only enjoy but also read was so special. Thank you for writing a book for kids who have difficulties learning to read. Please write more. lots more. Maureen Germein

Broad slapstick humor and galloping, Seuss-like rhymes are just part of the reason this sequel to The Cat on the Mat Is Flat (Feiwel & Friends, 2007) has strong child appeal. Denton’s funny illustrations are full of action, and his use of stick figures and stink lines makes the book look as though it had been illustrated by a cheeky but talented kid. The type layout is peppy and appropriate, breaking the story up with words that shrink or become enormous as the rhymes dictate. The 10 brief stories allow for frequent pauses but also flow together well, with some unexpected and witty transitions. A few challenging words (“underwater”, “squirm”) make this a book for more-competent beginning readers. School Library Journal

Oh no! Watch out! Don’t look now! Inside Andy Griffiths’ book is an exploding cow!
The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow is as entertaining as it is ridiculous.
Fuelled by clever illustrations, Griffiths’ comical kids’ book sets fire to the imagination in a rhyming tale of fun.
Griffiths has created 11 whimsical characters, each fashioned with a special something that makes them unique. From Noel the mole to lumpy head Fred, Griffiths’ little characters are sure to make you giggle.
There’s Willy the worm who is a very bad learner. He’s wiggly on the sraight, and a terrible turner.
Through these entertaining creatures, Griffiths shows how sound can be used to make words more familiar.
The characters also follow their own simple plot, with Willy the worm ending up in a knot.
Having won more than 30 Australian children’s choice awards, Griffiths clearly knows what excites the imagination.
Illustrator Terry Denton brings to life the crazy ideas to give the books their youthful pizzazz.
As an added bonus for the lucky mummy or daddy bed-time reader, the book is short, sweet and sure to awaken the big kid in all of us. Sarah Warne, The Weekly Times, June 25 2008

Filled with Andy Griffiths’s rockin’ rhymes and wacky illustrations from Terry Denton, The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow isn’t just a story about explosive bovines, they’ve got space-cows, underwater cows and cowboy cows. Who ever heard of a cowboy cow? Pure genius! Northern Times, 9 December 2008

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow is obviously partially about exploding cows, but there are nine other little rhymes based on strange things; moles who play rock ‘n’ roll, a boy named Fred with a very lumpy head, just to name a couple.
Although, once you’ve read it (it took me five minutes) you will realise it is aimed at seven-year-olds and has lots of pictures. It is very similar to a previous book made by the duo, The Cat on the Mat is Flat.
If you have not read any of the Andy Griffiths’ books and you read this first, do not think all of Griffiths’ books are for younger children. You should try reading his books in the Just! series. They are very funny and clever.
I suppose that after publishing one of the Schooling Around books, Griffiths decided he needed to write something more for younger children, but he still managed to compose a funny and well illustrated book.
Joe Verity, Year 5, St Michaels School, Mittagong, Illawarra Mercury, 5 August 2008

Oh no! Watch out! Don’t look now! Inside this book is an exploding cow!
Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s funniest and most successful writers.
His books have won over 30 Australian children’s choice awards.
Terry Denton is a writer and illustrator of children’s books who has collaborated with Andy Griffiths on 10 books.
This hilarious duo, who created the popular Just! series, is back with a roll-on-the-floor-laughing new book.
Children will love to go on a strange and silly ride through a strange and silly land populated by a variety of strange and silly animals and people.
And be prepared for an invasion of big, fat cows – lots and lots and lots of them!
For beginning readers and for very reluctant readers this fun book is ideal with its simple text and very quirky pictures.
A romp through these 10 tales accompanied by their fabulous illustrations will tell the reader all about Klaus the Mouse’s problem, why Fred has such a lumpy, bumpy head, and why nobody likes Mike’s bike.
This wonderful book has lots of rhyming and fun and playing with words.
It teaches children that reading and language are lots of fun – almost a Dr Seuss approach to language but aimed at slightly older readers.
Julie Campbell, Dymocks Armidale Bookshop, Guyra Argus, 17 July 2008

Andy Griffiths knows his audience.
Even mentioning the title of this book produces giggles from my six-year-old.
This book is 10 smaller, nonsense rhymes that will entertain everyone.
The words are easy to read and the concepts especially funny for young readers who are proud of the fact they can get through a ‘chapter’ on their own.
Even though these are short stories, don’t expect this book to be back on the bookshelf any time soon.
Long after the words have been read you’ll still hear incessant giggles as every minute detail of Denton’s illustrations are pored over.
They’re fun, wacky and will bring a smile to your face.
Lsa Korycki, Bendigo Advertiser, 5 July 2008

In the grand tradition of Dr Seuss, this latest rhyming outing from Andy Griffiths contains his usual brand of silliness and humour, with unexpected twists and plays on words. With crazed illustrations from creative partner Denton, this is a book that demands to be read aloud with energetic expression! Australian Family Magazine

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow is a marvellously hilarious read as well as achieving what I had hoped that you would be able to do, which is to use words that contain some of the multiple phonograms. You have done this so cleverly and in a way that enables the children to read them without being swamped by too much text. Only the other day one of my students was feeling pretty pleased with himself because he was able to read ’The Fat Cat is Flat’ ON HIS OWN and it’s a PROPER chapter book. Thank you so much for your books! Liz Fitzpatrick, speech/language pathologist, Extra Ed Allied Health Services Speech Pathology

KAPOW THE COW IS WOW! Zeke, aged 9