WHO
Who are the two children introduced in Chapter 1?
Lily and Liam
What do Lily and Liam worry about most as they get ready to go to their grandparents' house?
That they will not have enough books to read while they are visiting their grandparents' farm
Where do the children go every Christmas?
To their grandparents' farm
How do you know that Liam is worried about White Cow?
He spends extra time with him, goes out to pet him, reads and talks about cows, and he says the meadow may not be enough to keep White Cow happy. He's very quiet during their dinner and stares at his pie as if he's deep in thought.
Why is Papa called "The Weather Man?"
Because he is always concerned about the weather and talks about it
Who taught Liam to read and love books?
Lily
What does "lured" mean when Gran says that Charlie is "lured by food."
Where did Rosie the donkey go?
Her owner purchased new land, so Rosie was taken there since there was more room.
How does Lily feel about White Cow in the first section of the book?
Negative--she dismisses the cow as "just a cow" with no feelings and tells Liam not to read about the cows in the library.
Why did Lily and Liam work so hard on the weekends and after school?
To earn money to buy Christmas presents
Who mentions that White Cow is not eating as well as she used to?
Grandpa
What is Lily's response to Liam reading about cows and wanting to do something about White Cow?
She is very angry. She calls him dumb and tells him that he will spoil Christmas. BONUS: Why do you think Lily then has "surprising tears" in her eyes?
Where is Lily and Liam's "second home" at their grandparents' farm?
The stone library, which is also called the lilac library. BONUS: Why is the stone library called the lilac library?
How do you know that Liam is thinking about White Cow in his bedroom, on the first night at his grandparents' farm?
He is looking out at the meadow, says that he always feeds White Cow, and says "maybe" a couple of times when Lily says that White Cow is happy in the field and the barn.
Why do Lily and Liam look forward to visiting their grandparents each Christmas?
Because it is a perfect trip (giving gifts, trimming the tree, the stone library)
Who is Lambie?
Lily - her Grandpa is "the only person in the world" who calls her Lambie.
What is a meadow?
A field, often large and open.
When will the children's parents return to the farm after dropping off Lily and Liam?
Christmas Day
While eating pie after dinner, how does Lily respond when Liam says having the meadow all to herself "maybe isn't good enough" for White Cow?
She has a "trickle of dread" come over her. BONUS: Why do you think she feels dread after Liam says this?
Why does Liam decide he has to do something about White Cow?
Because of what he reads about cows--they are social creatures and need others around them.
Which family member works at the newspaper in town?
Grandpa
What is Liam reading in Grandpa's study?
A book about cows that says cows are social and have feelings.
When does Liam first have the feeling that he must do something about White Cow?
When he reads about cows in his Grandpa's study and discovers that cows can have feelings such as grief, loss, and loneliness.
How do you know that Liam has spent time with White Cow in years past?
He says "I always feed White Cow. And Rosie, when she was here." Also, after dinner in Chapter Two when Liam is missing, Lily knows where "Liam always is when we visit Grandpa and Gran."
Why do you think Liam quickly decides that he and Lily should walk to town after he reads about cows?
He wants to figure out something to do about White Cow.