Cow and Sow by Matthew Farina turns a winter outing into a funny, thoughtful story about friendship and sharing the spotlight. With expressive illustrations by Doug Salati and three starred reviews, this picture book offers plenty to discuss beneath its slips, spins, and skating wordplay.
Cow and Sow has been added to my October 2026 – New Release Spotlight list on Amazon.
Author: Matthew Farina
Illustrator: Doug Salati
Genre: picture book
Setting: winter
Themes: cabin fever, winter season, ice skating, cows, pigs, animal stories, friendship, conflict resolution, sharing credit, winter sports
Protagonist: anthropomorphic cow and a pig
Recommended for: PreS–Grade 2
Starred reviews: SLJ, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly
Publication date: October 6, 2026
WHAT IS COW AND SOW ABOUT?
Cow and Sow are tired of being stuck indoors during a winter that seems determined to last forever. A walk leads them to a frozen pond, where their first awkward steps become an exciting discovery: skating!
The friends help each other find their balance, experiment with new moves, and invite other animals to join the fun. Soon, the pond becomes a gathering place full of movement and invention. But when Cow and Sow both claim credit for a fancy jump, jealousy interrupts their good time. Their disagreement puts more than bragging rights at stake, giving the animals a reason to remember the value of working together.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
This would fit nicely into a winter storytime or a lesson about friendship, cooperation, and handling disagreements. Ask students how Cow and Sow support each other while learning, then compare that behavior with what happens when they become competitors. Can two friends contribute to the same idea?
For a movement break, invite children to mime gliding, balancing, and spinning while standing safely in their own spaces. Follow with a partner drawing activity: each child adds something to a shared winter scene, and both artists sign their creation.
Older listeners familiar with figure skating may also enjoy exploring the story’s playful connection to the Salchow jump. You can also show this 30-second YouTube video of the Salchow jump in regular-time and slow-motion.
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