THE SECRET LIFE OF COWS

Rosamund Young relates funny and sweet vignettes about the cows and other livestock living at Kite's Nest Farm in England. The gentle and meandering style of this audiobook is charming and also provides evidence against factory farming. Young's tone, along with her Worcestershire accent, suggests warmth and practicality. One cow plays hide-and-seek with her on the way to milking; another whips the hat off a farmhand (only that hat, on that worker). Without feeling the need to convince or cajole the listener, Young is matter-of-fact when she states that the cows talk to her--to convey thanks for assistance, pleasure in being brushed, or to ask to be left alone. Young describes distinctive personalities, intelligence, and emotional connections that contradict any notions that farm animals might be stupid or unaware. A.B. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2018]