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. It is a heartwarming story about a father who helps his young daughter care for a weak lamb named Ramona. The story captures the nurturing spirit of what it means to raise sheep and live on a farm.
Inspiration
Inspiration for this story comes from a true story about a tiny lamb born on our farm named Ramona. Ramona 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.
Pre-Orders Are Coming Soon!
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.