The Littlest Shepherd – a children’s picture book by Kim Goodling

Kim is excited to bring you her first children’s picture book, The Littlest Shepherd. The story captures the tender bond between a father and his young daughter as he teaches her how to care for a weak, newborn lamb on their farm. Through gentle guidance, the father models patience and responsibility, helping his daughter develop a deep sense of empathy for the lamb. As the young girl cares for the lamb, readers are introduced to the natural rhythms of farm life.

Pre-Orders Now Available

Products by Category

Inspiration

Inspiration for this story comes from a true story about a tiny lamb born on our farm named Ramona. She was a triplet with two very big, very bold brothers who kept her from nursing. She grew weak and needed extra care and attention. The first ten days of her life were touch and go, requiring round the clock support.

There are many life lessons learned through farm life. Farm kids often find themselves problem solving, working hard and practicing patience, team work, and compassion. They work alongside their older siblings, neighbors, and parents – learning, watching, and growing. All of these skills shape who they are and their world view. The Littlest Shepherd helps children step into this role of caring for a little lamb while instilling the importance of nurturing those who are weak.

Meet The Author/Illustrator

Kim is a Vermont based author and illustrator inspired by years of teaching children in public schools as well as homeschooling her own children on a sheep farm. Kim feels farm kids have unique opportunities to learn about responsibility, empathy, and land stewardship through everyday farm life. They carry these experiences with them into adulthood shaping the way they see the world and the people in it. Through her illustrations and stories, these experiences and life lessons can find their way into the homes of of both rural and urban families.
When not illustrating, she can be found elbow deep in wool or running through the fields with my flock of sheep and border collie Tuf.