Children who fell for Minnie and Moo's unusual brand of humor (in their beginning reader adventures) will enjoy this chapter book episode, in which the bovine best buddies throw a talent show.
Moo came up with the idea for the First Annual Hoot, Holler and Moo Talent Festival to raise money so that Mr. and Mrs. Farmer could make a down payment on a new tractor. Denys Cazet's drawings before the title page and on the table of contents page show overviews of Red Tractor Farm plus the preparations being made for the show, and the opening scene depicts the cast of characters. Elvis, who introduces himself as "the rooster with the voice that's so melodious, it makes the sun come up every morning," thinks so highly of himself that he continually tries to grab the mic. Among the other contestants are Zeke and Zack, "Siamese turkeys" born joined at the beak; Don Juan del Toro, a "bravissimo" bull who dances to the "Hooves of Fire" named in the title; Porkus, a porcine blues singer and guitarist; and a couple of suspicious coyote magicians who--voila!--make the money box with the ticket proceeds disappear.
A prank involving rolling Porta Potties, and Minnie's suggestion that the sheep use the word "gluteus maximus" as a substitute rhyme for "mutt" ("What's [that]?... A Roman gladiator," one sheep asks) keep the tone light, and Elvis gets a chance to redeem himself when he helps apprehend the thieves. A fun diversion for budding chapter book readers. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness