This is a beautiful book, with a good message that comes through without being preachy. Check out the giveaway where you can win a bundle.
Book Title: Mia and Nattie: One Great Team by Marlene M. Bell
Illustrated by Grace Sandford
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Release date: October 3, 2020
Tour dates: Jan 18 to Feb 5, 2021
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect. In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story. MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving, teamwork, and love. On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around—one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Release date: October 3, 2020
Tour dates: Jan 18 to Feb 5, 2021
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect. In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story. MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving, teamwork, and love. On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around—one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.
My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani
Mia and Nattie is the story of a little girl named Mia who rescues a baby lamb born too soon and too little on her farm. Mia convinces her Grandma to let her keep Nattie even though Grandma tells her that Nattie can't give them baby lambs and wants to sell her. Mia, though, knows that Nattie is special and does have her place on the farm.
I was truly touched by this story because it emphasizes that we all have a place in this world, even those that society may think are useless. Mia felt a kinship with Nattie and she soon discovers Nattie's calming presence makes her a useful part of the flock. In addition, raising Nattie, getting to discover her personality traits, and developing a bond with her helped Mia have confidence in herself.
This is such a great book for kids who feel different, unloved, or worthless. Nattie just needed someone to love her for who she was, and to see beyond the physical imperfections to her nurturing nature. Mia, on the other hand, needed to prove to her grandma that her perception about Nattie was right.
The illustrations are cute and simplistic, appropriate for this book's target audience. The hardcover edition is a good size, not too big and not too small. At the end of the book, the author, who is also a sheep farmer for the last thirty years, shares a story about a sheep named Nathalie upon which this book is based. I loved that!
This is a beautiful book, with a good message that comes through without being preachy. It would make an ideal addition to any school or home library.
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Meet the Author:
Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning writer, artist, and crazy sheep lady who resides in beautiful East Texas. Her renown sheep photographs grace the covers of many livestock magazines where she also writes newsy articles about raising sheep from her hands-on experience. Marlene offers the first of her children's picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team which is based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. It's a touching story of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb. Marlene shares her life with her husband and dreadfully spoiled horned Dorset sheep: a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, and cats, Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks. The cats believe they rule the household—and do.
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