If you asked me, “Why write about your farm animals in your books?”, I would have to say “because they are amazing” . I believe that unless you experience knowing and caring for them, you can’t know how special they are. When Mocha became mine, I learned to love her by taking care of her and spending time with her. This happened with each of my animals! I realized that many children do not have the opportunity to know farm animals well. I want to share that with them. When I visit a classroom and read one of my farm books to the students, they are definitely interested and engaged.
Mocha, Jersey Dairy Cow
I immediately fell in love with Mocha, a two-week-old Jersey heifer, when I began getting milk from her farmer. I knew that someday I wanted her to be mine, although at the time, the farmer had his doubts. This, my first published book, is her story, told from her perspective. By the way, right now, this book is on sale at Amazon for more than 50% off! You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Mocha-Good-Life/dp/1950454568/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HKGJXOXBVSMV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o2SfT-xN1mMEqXo26MXj4w.lbl-7Kt7wrzhvD8p34Fqva56sMhfDQBcyV9bqKRQhfc&dib_tag=se&keywords=my+name+is+mocha+by+diane+orr&qid=1714847970&sprefix=my+name+is+mocha+by+diane+orr%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1
Students seem to favor the books about Mocha and the books about Odin, our Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog. The books about Merlin come in third. So what makes my books about farm animals resonate with the students? I think several things are true: Mocha’s story is unique. She tells of leaving her mom and coming to a new place. She was scared and lonely. Then she made a new friend and tells about her life as a dairy cow on a small farm.
Odin, Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dog
The books about Odin: My Name is Odin, Odin and Merlin: The Amazing Team, and Odin and Freya’s Big Surprise! are loved by the children. I think the children love these books because 1)children love dogs; 2) Odin’s ability to guard our livestock is truly amazing, and 3) children love puppies!
Merlin, Rooster
My Name is Merlin is the story of our rooster Merlin. Of all the farm animals, I think he is probably the unsung hero of de Good Life Farm. A lot of people don’t understand the role of the rooster. They think of them crowing in the morning…or maybe even all day! They are often disrespected or under-respected. Until I had a rooster, I really had no idea what their job entailed. Our first good rooster, Griffin, was an amazing rooster. His sole job was to protect his hens and he died doing just that, attempting to protect them from a ruthless mink!
But in watching Merlin, I have come to understand so much more! He teaches the hens and trains them to listen to him. Merlin has been now been a vital part of our farm for 6 years. He also works with Odin to protect the hens. As incredible as it may sound, I have personally witnessed them communicating with each other to keep the hens safe from a flying predator. Read this post for more stories of Odin and Merlin: https://livingdegoodlife.com/2021/11/08/farm-funnies-more-stories-of-odin-and-merlin/
So, Why Write About My Farm Animals?
So, a lot of people have farm animals! Why did I choose to write children’s books about mine? I have several reasons. One reason is that the more I observed the animals doing what they do best, I became amazed at how little I knew about them. There are so many fascinating things about cows: the bond between a mama and her calf, the sweet “lowing” sound she makes as soon as they are born, how she trains them to follow her and the intense maternal instinct. A person who is not involved with them on a daily basis would have no idea! I wanted to share that insider perspective.
Sharing My Farm Animals with Children
It’s one of the reasons I love doing author visits in local schools. Watching children’s eyes sparkle with intrigue and their faces light up with anticipation of the page turning, is so thrilling to me! Having the opportunity to answer their questions or listen to their stories is a privilege to me (sometimes the line between questions and statements is a bit blurred). It is both invigorating and inspirational to interact with them.
If you would like to know more about author visits, visit here: https://dianeorrauthor.com/events/. You may also contact me at: mailto:info@dianeorrauthor.com.
Why My Farm Books?
I just quickly want to share what is special about my farm books. First, the illustrations are my own photographs of my own animals. Besides wanting the children to read and learn about the animals, I wanted them to see real pictures of the animals doing real things!
Another distinguishing feature of my farm books is that I use real words. Especially as a former homeschool mom interested in educating children, it was important to me that the children have the opportunity to learn new words. To help facilitate that goal, each farm book includes a glossary where the children can become familiar with those new words. I have heard many wonderful comments about this feature of my books.
For more information on my books, please check out https://dianeorrauthor.com/books/.