Author: Juliet Dallas-Conté
Illustrator: Alison Bartlett
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Year: 2003
Language: English
Type of resource: Illustrated picture book
Themes: Farm animals, identity, helping others, humor, animal sounds
Age range: 4–8 years old
School levels: Kindergarten to Grade 2 (French GS to CE2 / Cycle 2)
Main learning objective: Learn animal sounds in English and build phonological awareness
Summary of the book
The farm’s rooster has forgotten how to crow. Every morning, he tries to greet the sunrise, but instead of “cock-a-doodle-doo,” he cries “Cock-a-moo-moo!” like a cow, then “Cock-a-quack-quack!” like a duck, and so on. The other animals gently correct him, but the poor rooster becomes discouraged and gives up trying. One night, however, he spots a sneaky fox entering the henhouse. By shouting all his mixed-up cries, he wakes the entire farm and saves the hens. The animals celebrate him as a hero, and the rooster finally crows properly: “Cock-a-doodle-doo!”
Culture and Vocabulary
- Farm animals: cow, duck, pig, sheep, fox, chicken, rooster.
- Animal sounds: moo, quack, oink, baa, cluck, cock-a-doodle-doo – a fun way to explore how animal sounds differ in English and French.
- Verbs and feelings: shout, try, say, go, wake up, be happy, be wrong.
Grammar and Structures
- Present simple, third person singular: he says, he goes, he tries – useful for early grammar practice.
- Repeated exclamatory structure: “That’s not right!” – useful for expressing judgment or pointing out that something is incorrect.
- Simple narrative phrases:
- “He took a deep breath and shouted…”
- “So he tried again.”
- “Rooster was very unhappy.”
- Direct speech: “said the cows,” “cried the animals” – ideal for drama and oral expression.
Phonology
- Onomatopoeia: moo, quack, oink, baa, cock-a-doodle-doo – excellent tools for rhythmic listening and pronunciation.
- Alliteration and repetition: Cock-a-quack-quack, Cock-a-baa-baa – great for fluency and rhythm.
- Focus on key sounds:
- Short vowels and diphthongs: quack [kwæk], oink [ɔɪŋk]
- Long vowels: baa [bɑː], moo [muː]
- Word stress and intonation: A great introduction to English sentence melody.
Teaching Suggestions
Before reading:
- Match animal pictures with their sounds in English.
- Act out animals while guessing their English names and cries.
While reading:
- Read expressively with gestures and sound effects.
- Pause before each new cry and have students predict what will come next.
After reading:
- Rebuild the sequence of the rooster’s cries in story order.
- Matching card game: animal + correct onomatopoeia.
Mini grammar lesson:
- Focus on third person present simple: he says, he goes, he tries.
Cross-Curricular Connections
- Social & Moral Education: Highlight kindness, inclusion, and celebrating differences.
- Art: Create illustrated animal sound flashcards.
- Music: Learn the song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
- Media Literacy: Make an audio soundbook using tablets or recording devices.
Project Idea: A Collaborative Storybook
Students create a new version of the story where a different animal has forgotten its sound. Each child illustrates one double-page spread with an animal, an incorrect sound, and the correct one. Bind the book and present it to another class or parents.
Conclusion
Cock-a-Moo-Moo is a fun, energetic, and memorable picture book that helps young learners develop oral English skills. Its repetitive structure, clear vocabulary, and theatrical appeal make it a highly effective ESL resource for lower primary classes.
