Myron's Magic Cow [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

'Plaudits must go to Barefoot Books, though, for the season's most colourful and consistently high-quality titles... [In Myron's Magic Cow] the story - by first-timer Marlene Newman - is wonderfully served by illustrator Jago's pictures. It incorporates genies, Jack and the beanstalk, Ali Baba and a golden egg. And all in the course of a trip to the shops for a carton of milk.' - The Independent on Sunday --The Independent on Sunday. 'Different, deadpan and surreal is Myron's Magic Cow, a modern, inner- city fable - great for reception age. They will thoroughly enjoy the way actions have consequences - sometimes wryly unpredictable.' - The Bookseller --The Bookseller. 'This is a fast-paced and actually pretty funny tale of an inner city boy, Myron, who is sent by his stressed-out mother to the shops for milk but bumps into a mysterious girl en route and instead returns home with a massive talking cow that offers full, semi-skimmed or skimmed' and grants wishes. As you do. It's modern day magical realism - if you want to be all literary about it. New York grandmother Newman pens an engaging narrative that recalls both Shrek and a 1950s detective novel and Cornishman Jago's accompanying pictures of outsize animals, tiny kids and multi-coloured apartment blocks are a delight. If you're sick of children's lit starring middle class caucasians in cottages, you'll appreciate everything about this - not least Myron's use of Whatever'. One for the little wise guy or gal in your home.' - Venue magazine --Venue magazine

'Different, deadpan and surreal is Myron's Magic Cow, a modern, inner- city fable - great for reception age. They will thoroughly enjoy the way actions have consequences - sometimes wryly unpredictable.' - The Bookseller --The Bookseller

'This is a fast-paced and actually pretty funny tale of an inner city boy, Myron, who is sent by his stressed-out mother to the shops for milk but bumps into a mysterious girl en route and instead returns home with a massive talking cow that offers full, semi-skimmed or skimmed' and grants wishes. As you do. It's modern day magical realism - if you want to be all literary about it. New York grandmother Newman pens an engaging narrative that recalls both Shrek and a 1950s detective novel and Cornishman Jago's accompanying pictures of outsize animals, tiny kids and multi-coloured apartment blocks are a delight. If you're sick of children's lit starring middle class caucasians in cottages, you'll appreciate everything about this - not least Myron's use of Whatever'. One for the little wise guy or gal in your home.' - Venue magazine --Venue magazine

Myron doesn't like being the one who always has to go to the shops for his mother. But one Sunday, an ordinary errand to buy milk turns into a most unusual adventure when Myron meets a golden-haired girl travelling with three bears - and one real, life-sized cow. Before Myron knows what has happened, the girl has convinced him to trade his milk money for the cow! Children will identify with Myrons plight and everyone will enjoy the storyâs adventure and humour. The distinctive illustrations perfectly complement the quirky and playful storyline. This makes a fresh, playful addition to fairy tale collections in schools or at home.

Marlene Newman, mother of four, grandmother of two, shared her knowledge of reading, writing and libraries with students and fellow teachers as an elementary school teacher for 19 years. Marlene lives in Delmar, New York with her husband. This is her first book. Jago uses a mixture of scanned, painted, drawn and photographed sources to produce his illustrations. In 2003, he graduated from Falmouth College of Arts and has since been working as a professional illustrator. Jago lives in Cornwall. This is his first project with Barefoot Books.