Trudy

Written and illustrated by Henry Cole

When your child says, "Mom, I want to see a cow," and "Let’s go see some goats now,” grab this book.

One day Esme and her grandpa go to the auction looking for a medium-size pet. Esme first sees a cow, a pig, and various feathery friends. Too big, too smelly, and grandma just happens to be allergic to feathers. Finally, Esme spots a bright eye peeking through a stall. Meet Trudy, a brown and white goat who adopts Esme and her grandparents. Esme helps Trudy settle into farm life with her very own mini-barn, blankets, and hay. One day Trudy goes inside her barn and then it snows. This happens the next day and suddenly the whole town is talking about the goat who predicts snow. Winter is coming to an end, Trudy goes inside her barn one last time. Snow does not fall and when Trudy does not come out of her barn, Esme begins to worry. What could be wrong with Trudy?

The pages of this book remind me of fall, more than I ever imagined it would and it makes me long for a roaring fire, a blanket, and a cup of hot cocoa! Even though it's super hot here. I love the crisp colors and seemingly quiet country setting that comes to life on each page. It also has somewhat of a 1950’s feel to the drawings.

My daughter loves it because it’s about a goat. I love it because it teaches her to be kind to animals, we must take care of them, and that animals can be a part of any family.

A Mama for Owen

Written by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by John Butler

Owen is a young hippo who loves his mama. He loves her more than anything else in the world. They snuggle, play hide-n-go seek in the African safari, swim gracefully in the river, and spend all their time together. This is one happy hippo and family. That all changes one day – a day the rains came and would not stop.

It rained so much, that Owen became separated his mama and the entire family. Owen calls and calls for his mama, but she doesn’t respond. The never ending waves washed Owen onto a different shore, some strange and new place, where he must make new friends. No longer at home on the Sabaki River, a tired Owen spies a grayish brown hump. Could this be his mama? No, it’s a big, old turtle named Emzee, who becomes Owen’s surrogate mother. Now they explore the safari and play games and snuggle.

This true story about brave little Owen teaches children that while it's sometimes hard to make new friends, you can make a new friends! Even though it may be scary to be without parents, it is possible to venture into the unknown

This book is easy-to-read and delightfully illustrated. As this sad, yet beautiful story unfolds, you and your little one will enjoy the striking and mellow water-colors. Take the time to sit down and pour over each page, look at each detail.

A Mama for Owen will get your little hippo ready to settle down for the night or a long afternoon nap.