By Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen
Sleeping Bear Press
www.sleepingbearpress.com
310 North Main Street, Suite 300
Chelsea, MI 48118
800-487-2323
The folks at Hazel Ridge Farm have dedicated their lives to caring for and rehabilitating injured and abandoned animals and wildlife. Though they have had many animals in their loving care, this is the heartwarming story of Itsy Bitsy (a weak fawn discovered in a hayfield by a local farmer) and Teeny Weeny (a newborn "runt" lamb who was rejected by her mother). The little orphans have much to overcome, and they start their days together nestled in a playpen with a heating pad. Robbyn, their human "mother," sleeps beside their pen and tenderly feeds and interacts with them around the clock to help build their strength. Within weeks, the "twins" are strong and energetic enough to escape from their playpen, and it's time to move to their new home in the barn! From there, they encounter other animals on the farm, follow their "mother" on walks, frolic together in nature, and continue to grow. As the seasons pass, it becomes evident that Itsy Bitsy, now a young buck, is displaying a wild and restless nature that sets him apart from the domesticated farm animals. This leads to a bittersweet ending to the story of these siblings. This book is filled with lovely, warm illustrations of farm life as well as a lesson about wildlife. It's a blessing to have on the family bookshelf. Also be sure to check out the downloadable teacher's guides from www.sleepingbearpress.com! They are a wonderful resource filled with vocabulary, writing exercises, puzzles, and other educational activities related to this story.
Product review by Amy Christy, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March 2010
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