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The Importance Of Perseverance
My Life at Sweetbrier shares your experiences growing up on the Sweetbrier horse farm in Easton, Connecticut and conveys all the obstacles and emotions of that time. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In My Life at Sweetbrier, I wanted to convey the importance of perseverance in life. I firmly believe young readers would benefit from this story because it shows that determination can change the direction of your life. Also, many people have a negative attitude about things and they may be deterred from following their dreams if other people discourage them. But I’d like children to know that you can succeed against the odds if you refuse to give up on your dreams. Imagine what I would have missed if I didn’t pursue mine.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It was difficult to write about the fire in our barn that killed two of the horses. One of those was my mom’s beautiful, talented, Arabian stallion, Chiefie. Mom adored him. They had a rare connection and I was so hard for her to carry on without him. As always, she was a role model for her courage. Also as a family, we had to choose whether or not to rebuild our barn The fire showed us that we must carry on after a tragedy.
What is one memory that this book has helped you to remember?
My Life at Sweetbrier helped me recall how thrilled and blessed I am to have Peach, my remarkable horse who helped us become champions together. We had the kind of connection that Mom had with Chiefie. Peach understood me and seemed to be so sensitive to the pressure of my legs when I wanted her to lengthen her stride before a jump. She was beautiful and gifted at jumping. Peach loved jumping and that’s the reason she never grew tired of it, even when my sisters and I shared her at shows. Other horses were dragging themselves around the course by the end of the day, while she was still shaking her head and playing around. We won first place in our debut show together. As you can imagine, I was elated.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I hope readers remember to always follow their dreams because they may accomplish much more than they imagine if they refuse to quit. Every person has bad days and fails from time to time. Even champions experience days when things do not go well. But every winner knows it’s what happens after your fall that matters.
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Wilbur’s New Home
Wilbur’s New Home: A Surprise for Wilbur, written by author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is an engaging picture book for toddler and preschool-age children. Wilbur the tractor is getting older, and working on Farmer Jim’s land is getting to be too much for him. Jim is worried about Wilbur and wants him to go to a new home where he won’t have to work so hard and be with people who will love and appreciate him. Jim is more than Wilbur’s owner; he is Wilbur’s best friend. After meeting several people that were not a good fit, Wilbur is afraid to leave Jim. Jim, however, reassures him, washing his wheels, covering him with his favorite blanket, and telling him that he would not let him go somewhere he did not want to go.
This heartwarming story teaches children about friendship, patience, trust, and openness to change and new things in life. Wilbur is happy with Jim but trusts Jim when he says he needs to go to a home where he can still be helpful but not overworked. Change is hard, and Wilbur is anxious as new people come to meet him, especially when they are unkind. Change is hard for many people, especially children. This exceptional book shows children that it is ok to be worried, it is normal, and finding ways to deal with strong emotions is key. Wilber uses his blanket not just to stay warm but for the comfort of something familiar. Jim makes sure to reassure Wilber that the owner will know what he needs to be comfortable in his new home. He also promises to visit him and make sure things are going well. The author includes at the end a list of quiz questions to open up discussions with children on these important topics.
Illustrators Wanda L. Urabazo and Holly Humphrys-Bajaj use strong colors and bold lines to portray the excitement and emotions of the characters. Their creative portrayals will engage children as they listen to this meaningful story.
Wilbur’s New Home: A Surprise for Wilbur is a feel-good picture book for preschoolers and young children that introduces challenging topics in an age-appropriate manner. This is an excellent resource for teachers, parents, and caregivers looking for a fun and lighthearted way to introduce the concept of friendship and change.
Pages: 53 | ASIN : B09N9YZJBD
LITERARY TITAN 