18 December 2008

Virtual book tour - Give a Goat, by Jan West Schrock

I am honoured to be a stop in the virtual book tour for Give a Goat (Honoured? I am utterly jazzed!) The timing could not be better! Not only have I given beehives for holiday gifts, but I was just given a Basket of Hope by my friends at the library as my Chanukah gift. Everyone in my life knows about my passion for Heifer International, and this gives me yet another way to share.

JanLaughGoatLo Mahatma Gandhi once said "Be the change you want to see in the world." In Give a Goat, the fifth-graders in Mrs. Roswell's class learn that big changes for themselves and others can begin with small actions when they hear the story of Ugandan girl named Beatrice whose family receives a goat from Heifer International. Not only does the goat provide nourishing milk for the family - she also provides enough milk for family to sell, and to make Beatrice's dream of going to school a reality.
The children are inspired to raise money to give a goat to another needy family. By selling healthy snacks to students and teachers, they amass enough for a goat plus chickens plus ducks. By the end of the book, many classes are raising money for local food banks and the Red Cross. Giving feels good!

The story that Ms. Schrock has written is true. The language is simple for a child to understand and enjoy, and the illustrations are so clever and whimsical that everyone - parents and teachers alike -will be delighted. The children are real children; they throw paper airplanes, they fall asleep in class, they use computers, and they have splashy, soapy fun at a car wash. Once they begin the project, a goat appears on every page, chewing on posters, reading a book, butting a boy's leg, and bathing in soapy water. It even pilots the biplane that brings the chickens and ducks to Uganda!



I can't say enough about this book, Heifer International, and the opportunities they provide to change the world, one family at a time. We can be the change we want to see in the world. Buy a book, read to a child, give a goat (or a beehive) - it's easy!

You can find more links about the tour and the author here and here. Thank you, Sarah McGinnis, for letting me share my passion for change.

9 comments:

Aunt Kathy said...

That book sounds wonderful.

Stefanie said...

I love Heifer International. My husband an I have been giving beehives and trees and alpacas as gifts to family for the past several years.

adina said...

Thanks for this review! This book sounds really inspiring!

Donna Lee said...

What a great book. I have nephews and nieces just the right age. Or maybe one for myself would be good. I love the illustrations.

Nana Sadie said...

Delightful!
:)

Unknown said...

Fabulous! I want to get at least two - one for my library and one to send to a little friend. I love when I can send beehives and chicks :)! Thank you so much for introducing us to this book! Hooray to Maine again!
:)

Stacey said...

Adding this to my must read list... very inspirational.

Carrie K said...

It's good to see the word getting out.

J said...

What a lovely book. :) We also love Heifer. It's where some of our 'giving money' goes.