I NEVER COULD DRAW COWS when I was growing up, even though I lived on a farm and was surrounded by them. I remember tearing up a lot of drawings. Now I like sketching cows - they're funny-looking, bony, expressive. In some ways I think that writing this book on ice cream may have been my excuse to watch cows, and an excuse to drive up to Point Reyes.

I spent weeks going up to Point Reyes, just north of San Francisco, hanging out at the beautiful dairies there and talking to the farmers and watching the milking process, before jumping in the ocean and coming home. Later I went to the Clover Stornetta milk co-op in Petaluma to see how milk gets separated from cream. Then I went to the Dreyer's ice cream factory in Hayward to observe the actual ice cream making. The factory taster gave me a tour; I was amazed at the size and sound of the ice cream machine. I also went to Mitchell's, a small shop in San Francisco that makes its own ice cream. It was a cool process following the milk trail. I had a great appreciation for ice cream before writing this book and that hasn't changed.

REVIEWS

Publishers Weekly 2.18.02
 STARRED REVIEW
"Cooper’s deliciously diverting book tackles a subject of intrinsic appeal to kids. The author gives the scoop on ice-cream making and anticipates all of their questions, answering them with, well, good humor—and with many specifics that may surprise event the most ardent aficionados."

Kirkus 2.15.02
"Cooper is a master at transforming dabs and wiggles of paint into people at play (Ballpark, 1998) or architecture (Building, 1999) or vistas (Country Fair, 1997). Starting with cows—a lot of cows—he tells the tale of ice cream as it happens, from the milking, to the processing, to the blending and tasting. Children (and adults, probably) will be fascinated by the scientists concocting recipes, the taster with the gold spoon whose tongue is insured, and the final journey back to the farm for the farmer’s delivery of ice cream."

New York Times 5.19.02
"Throughout, the text is crystal clear, all facts summoned up and then tweaked
with personality. A real person with a wry sense of humor shaped this
information into a good story. Cooper never condescends. True, he does have
the advantage of one very alluring topic on his side."

San Francisco Magazine 6.02
 Best of the Bay Area — Illustrated Children’s Book

Recommended in Parent's Choice

Published by:
Greenwillow (HarperCollins) 2002
ISBN 0-06-001423-7 $16