#1 Mr. Cow Builds a Swing

Mr. Cow saw that his neighbor needed a new swing and he wanted to help!

Questions

1. Do you know anyone that has a problem you can help solve?
   Maybe it's something as simple as... picking up clutter around the house. It doesn't have to be BIG or complicated to be helpful.
2. What's one thing you can do to help a parent, brother or sister, a friend or a neighbor?
3. What's your plan? When you think about who you want to help... how would you do it? Mr. Cow dove right in without a plan and... it did NOT work! He had to slow down, start over, come up with a plan and try again. THEN it worked!
4. What kind of tools do you think are needed to build a swing?
5. Have you ever tried to build something from scratch?
   What was it and how did it go?

#2 The Duke of Duct Tape

Mr. Cow tried to fix many things with duct tape. He didn't consider if duct tape was a good solution. He just used the first thing that came to mind and ran with it.

Questions

1. How well do you think duct tape worked to fix all those things?
2. Can you think of a better way to fix those things?
3. Have you noticed anything broken in your home?
   Maybe a door knob that rattles, a drawer that sticks, a hinge that squeaks, something loose or something too tight? Maybe it could be fixed without a lot of effort!
4. Can you think of some good solutions that might fix those things - solutions that are better than duct tape?
   You have to think! Sometimes it's not the first solution you think of that's the best one. Sometimes you have to think of a second, third maybe even a fourth solution before you arrive at a really GOOD idea. Don't give up! Just think.

#3 The Friendly Disagreement

Questions

1. Have you and a friend ever had an argument?
2. What happened? What did you argue about?
3. Did it break your friendship? Are you still friends?
4. Do you know that people can disagree, sometimes strongly, and still be friends?
   Adults do this all the time! Kids can learn how to do this too.
   We can disagree about something and still be friends.
5. What are some things you and your friends or family members disagree about?
   • Favorite food
   • Music
   • Movies or shows
   • Books
   • Maybe BIGGER things

#4 Space Patrol: the Pesky Potato Pirates

Questions

1. Have you ever fallen asleep watching a show or movie?
2. Do you ever have pretend adventures based on a movie or show you've watched?
   What was the show?
   What was your pretend story?
3. Did you notice the faint green edge on the pages after Mr. Cow and Chuckles fell asleep?
   It's green... to match the green couch. It shows that the story is now a pretend adventure — a couchland adventure!
4. Can you draw a super cool spaceship?
   Is it big or really small?
   How many people are in your spaceship?
5. What do you think Chuckles meant when we said, "FLERP"?
   We can infer what he says based on Mr. Cow's response. Being able to make an inference - a logical conclusion based on information you have - is a good skill to develop.
6. Do you like root beer?
   Do you like french fries?
   Do you like root beer and french fries together?

#5 Sad Friend

Mr. Cow saw that his neighbor was sad. He really tried to cheer her up, but she didn't seem to respond. She must have been really sad.

Questions

1. What's your favorite sandwich?
2. What's your favorite cookie?
3. Do you have a favorite milkshake?
4. Do you have a favorite joke?
5. Can you make a funny face?
6. Have you ever gotten something stuck in a tree?
   What was it?
   Was it funny?
7. Have you tried to cheer up a sad friend or family member?
   What did you do?
8. Why do you think the little girl was sad?
9. Are you sad sometimes?
   Do you have a good, trusted friend or family member you can talk to when you're sad?
   Are you sad about something now?

Discussion

We want our friends and family to be happy, not sad. But sometimes you can't make someone cheer up. Sometimes people go through things that just make them really sad. It doesn't mean you can't help. Sometimes just being with someone - even in silence - so they know they are not alone helps.

There's a bible verse - Romans 12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

We can be happy with our friends and family when they are happy. We can celebrate with them.

We can also be sad for them when they are sad. We might not be able to 'fix it', but we can let them know this: "You are not alone in your grief. I'm here as a friend."

#6 The Fantastical Forklifter

Questions

1. Do you think Mr. Cow really knew how to drive a forklift?
2. What do you think of the experience he said he had?
   "Oh yea. I drove one in couchland."
3. When Mr. Cow used the forklift to pick up ALL the crates - a big stack of crates - the back wheels of the forklift lifted off the ground. Do you know why that happened?
4. Foreman Joe thought Mr. Cow did a great job. Do you think Mr. Cow is a good forklift driver or a bad forklift driver?
   What are things you see in the story that make you think that?
   ( How did you come to that conclusion? )
5. Foreman Joe was happy that Mr. Cow used duct tape to fix the ripped seat on the forklift. Can you see other things Mr. Cow fixed with duct tape?
   Do you think Mr. Cow fixed those things the right way?
6. What should Mr. Cow have done when he damaged things or had accidents?
   Mr. Cow should have told Foreman Joe!

#7 Doorway of Forgetfulness

Questions

1. Have you ever experienced this - walking through a doorway and forgetting what you were going to do?
2. Why do you think that happens?
3. How does the lightbulb respond to what Mr. Cow is doing?
   Sometimes the lightbulb is lit up (illuminated) and sometimes it's dark. Why is that?
4. What do you think of Mr. Cow's solution of making a list?
5. Are there times you are sure you're going to remember something... but you forget?
   Would making a list help?
6. Have you ever needed to get or do some things and you forgot some of it?

#8 Grumbling Shoveler

Questions

1. Did you notice how, at first, Mr. Cow LOVED to see the beautiful snow, but then he realized he would have to shovel it all?
   Have you ever experienced something like that? "Oh, boy!!!" turns to "Oh, no!"
2. Have you ever had a chore you had to do and you grumbled all the way through it?
   Did grumbling make the work go faster... or slower?
3. Mr. Cow was so busy grumbling that he didn't realize he shoveled the sidewalk past his house and kept shoveling all the way to the street. Mr. Cow's hard work shoveling the sidewalk helped Larry the mailman. Larry really appreciated it.
   When you're doing work do you think about how much it will affect other people?
   Does that change how well you do the work?
4. Are there any chores you do that help others?
   You might not like to do certain chores but it's not always about the work - it's about how it helps other people. Most chores are like that. A lot of work is like that.
5. How do you think Larry the mailman felt delivering mail in all that snow?
6. Have you ever had to trudge through snow - like going to school for example?
   What was that like?
7. Mr. Cow really enjoyed the cookies and hot cocoa after all that hard work of shoveling the snow.
   Have you ever noticed how treats taste so yummy after you do a lot of work?

#9 Space Bugs

Questions

1. Have you ever wanted to be a hero... in space?!
   What about just someone who solves the problems and saves the day?
2. Have you ever fixed something and felt like a hero?
3. Have you ever tried to fix something... and it didn't work?
4. Do you think computer bugs are really bugs?
5. Are there times you want to solve a problem... but you don't know how?
   Do you feel tempted to just... make up some crazy solution, like Mr. Cow did?

#10 Famous Author / Illustrator

Questions

1. Have you ever had a great idea hit you so suddenly it shocked you?
2. If you wrote a story what would you choose for the following:
   • main character
   • setting (where it takes place)
   • plot (the main idea of the story - what's it about?)
3. Does it look like Mr. Cow spent a lot of time coming up with ideas for his story - did he work on it a lot?
4. Do you think Mr. Cow's story will make him famous?
5. What did you think of Mr. Cow's finished story?
   Do you think it was as good as Mr. Cow thought it was?
6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
7. What do you think it will take to achieve that?
8. Do you think it'll take a lot of hard work or... not very much?
9. Do you know anyone that does what you dream of doing? Can you ask them about it?

#11 Snowman

Questions

1. Have you ever built a snowman?
   Was it big or little?
   How did you decorate it?
   Did you name it?
   Did you get really cold making it?
2. How do you dress when you go outside in the cold?
3. How long do you think it takes to make a snowman?
4. What's the biggest snowman you've seen?
5. What are some things that make it hard to build a snowman, like... the snow won't pack, or it's getting too warm, or there's not enough snow, or it's too cold? What else?
6. If you've made a snowman maybe you could take a photo of it so others can see how awesome it is.
7. Chuckles is a toad. How do you think a toad handles really cold weather?
   How do you think cows handle cold weather?
8. Why do you think Mr. Cow chose a shady spot for his snowman?
9. Why do you think Mr. Cow's final snowman looks so much like him?

Discussion

Mr. Cow was overly confident that he could easily and quickly build a snowman. At first it was TOO SMALL. So then he tried to make a HUGE one but he made it so big he couldn't even finish it. Mr. Cow tends to dive into things thinking it'll be great but he often fails to actually think it through. This is something kids... and sometimes adults... do.

#12 Rubber Ducky Developers

Questions

1. Mr. Cow was told that asking a rubber ducky a question might provide the answer to his problem. What do you think is going on with that?!
2. Do you think a rubber ducky or a stuffed animal will really tell you things?
3. Here's an experiment. Think of something you're having difficulty with. Tell the problem to some thing - anything - it could be your pet, a piece of furniture, a plant, a rock, a stuffed animal - anything.
   • Describe the problem OUT LOUD like you're talking to a person. Get into the details.
   • Describe what you think might be solutions to the problem.
   • Describe things you've tried to solve the problem, if they worked or failed and why.
   • Now... as you talked out loud (verbalized) the problem and the solutions you've tried, did you notice that you started to get a new idea of the solution?
   Sometimes explaining a problem does something in our brain that helps us understand it better, and then we suddenly figure out the solution!
   If we can communicate the problem, we have a better chance of figuring out the solution.

#13 Clutter

Questions

1. Where do you see clutter in your home - in your bed room, a living room, a desk or table?
2. Is there clutter outside your house?
3. Have you ever thought of clutter as a creature slowly invading your space... like a weed or mold?
4. Is there some clutter in your home that you might be able to organize?
5. Did you see how Mr. Cow cleaned up the clutter in his home?
   Is that a good way to do it?
   What do you think is a better way to clean up a cluttered mess?
   Maybe some things need to go in the trash. Sometimes people get something out and don't put it away, so... maybe some things need to be put away!

#14 Bigfoot

Questions

1. Do you think the people chasing Mr. Cow really wanted his autograph?
2. Why do you think those guys were chasing Mr. Cow?
3. Do you think they really knew who... or what... Mr. Cow was?
4. Have you ever spent time outside in nature?
5. How many different kinds of trees do you see?
   Do you know what kind they are?
6. How many different kinds of birds do you see?
   Notice they're colors and if they're big or little. Listen to how they sound.
7. Do you see different types of bushes?
8. Do you see any grass? Is it tall or short?
9. Are there other animals you can find?
   How about a rabbit, turtle, ants, worms, beetles, squirrels, or other critters?

#15 Waffler

Questions

1. What's your favorite food?
2. If you were in a bad mood would yummy food change your mood?
3. Can you think of a time when food cheered you up?
4. Do you make food - cook or bake?
   What are some things you like to make?
   Do you ever make up things in the kitchen - experiment?
   Have you ever made something so yummy people ask you to make it again?

#16 Free Chair

Questions

1. Ask your parent if they've had something free?
   What was it?
   Do they still use it?
2. Do you have a favorite piece of furniture?
3. Where do you think Mr. Cow should have put the chair?
4. Do you think Larry the mailman took the chair?
   How do you think he got it home?
5. Do you think any other furniture we see in Mr. Cow's house was free?
   What makes you think that?
6. Have you ever acquired something for free and later realized you didn't need it, have a place for it, or want to use it?
   What happened with that?

#17 Firewood

Questions

1. Have you ever seen a chainsaw be used?
2. Do you know how a chainsaw works?
   The loud engine makes a chain spin around the bar really fast. The bar has sharp metal teeth that cut through wood.
3. Why do you think glasses and ear protection are important when using a chainsaw?
   A chainsaw is very loud and the noise can hurt your ears over time so ear protection is good to use. When cutting, chips of wood can fly around and get in your eyes so safety glasses are important.
4. Do you know anyone who uses a chainsaw? Have you ever watched them?
5. Mr. Cow cut the logs to certain lengths. Why do you think that matters?
   Logs have to fit in a fireplace so you have to cut logs so that they fit... simple as that.
6. Do you know why Mr. Cow split the logs?
   If logs are too thick they won't burn well. Smaller logs burn better, especially when the fire isn't very hot.
7. Did you know that different types of trees burn differently?
   Here's a chart that lists the amount of BTU's from different types of wood. The higher the BTU, the more amount of heat (energy) the wood has when burning.
8. At the end of the book, Mr. Cow is eating a sandwich. What kind of sandwich do you think Mr. Cow is eating?
   What's your favorite kind of sandwich?

#18 Peanut Butter Baker

Questions

1. Have you ever baked any of the following?
   chocolate chip cookies
   bread
   banana bread
   muffins
   apple cinnamon muffins
2. Have you ever changed the recipe?
3. Do you know someone who likes to change the recipe all the time?

#19 Garage Sale

Questions

1. Have you ever helped out with a garage sale?
   What was that like?
   Did you get a lot of customers?
   Did you sell a lot of stuff?
   How tiring was it?
   Did customers try to bargain with you?
2. Have you ever been to a garage sale?
   Did you purchase anything - what did you buy?
   Did you try to bargain over the price?

#20 Pirates

Questions

1. Mr. Cow pretended a stump was a pirate ship.
   If there's a stump or a tree or a big rock in your yard can you pretend it's something else?
2. How realistic do you think Mr. Cow's hat and sword were?
3. Do you think Chuckles was pleased with his cleaning bucket?
4. Did you notice how the images shift in and out of Mr. Cow's imagination?

#21 Mows the Lawn

Questions

1. Have you ever mowed the lawn?
   Did you notice the things Mr. Cow noticed - the sound of the mower, the vibration of the engine, the smell of the exhaust, and the smell of freshly cut grass?
2. Have you noticed what freshly cut grass smells like?
   What do you think of that smell?
3. Do you ever have to do chores that are a little boring - like mowing the lawn, vacuuming, doing the dishes, homework, etc?
4. Mr. Cow enjoyed seeing the progress he was making as he mowed.
   When you work on something do you like to see how much you're getting done?

Discussion

Try to pay attention to your senses.

• When you're in a car you can feel if it's moving - the vibration of engine and road on your feet and in your seat; the force of gravity and momentum shifting as the vehicle accelerates, decelerates and turns.
• If you're outside - the feel of the bright sun or cool breeze on your face.
• When you pick up something...
  Is the texture smooth or rough?
  Is it heavy or light?
  Does it have an awkward shape making it difficult to hold onto?
• Consider smell...
  Do certain places have a unique aroma?
  • your home
  • a friend's house
  • school
  • a store
  • different places in a grocery store
  • your vehicles - do different vehicles smell differently

#22 Rhubarb Rustler

Questions

1. Have you ever heard of rhubarb?
2. Mr. Cow was so upset about chicken fried rhubarb that he considered arresting George who was making it.
   Do you think Mr. Cow's threat to arrest George was reasonable or was he overreacting?
3. Do you think chicken fried rhubarb sounds like something you might try to eat?
4. Have you ever eaten any baked goods with rhubarb - like rhubarb bread?
5. Do you know anyone who has used rhubarb when baking food?
6. Are there things that are sometimes added to food that you think are strange?
   How about... walnuts on brownies?
   Or zucchini bread?
7. When the sheriff and his deputy found the thief that stole the rhubarb what kind of creature did you think it was?