childrens

Beatrice’s Goat, written by Page McBrier and illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter, is the true story of ordinary people chipping in to make a big impact on the lives of others.  One goat gave Beatrice Biira a chance at an education.  I’ve written about my love for Heifer International, an organization that provides livestock to families to help them feed their family and earn money to lift their family out of poverty.  Heifer gave 12 goats to 12 families in Kisinga, Uganda and the Biira family received one of them.  Prior to owning the goat, Beatrice begged her parents to let her attend school, but the school required the students to pay for their books and uniform.  Beatrice’s family did not have the money to pay for her supplies.  After receiving the Heifer goat, it gave enough milk for Beatrice’s family and extra to sell, thereby providing the funds for school. 

For Beatrice, the story continued.  She loved learning, excelled in school, and caught the attention of Heifer supporters who paid for her way through prep school and college.  Last June she graduated from Connecticut College.  She plans to return to Africa to help other impoverished communities.  All because of a goat.

Page McBrier tells this modern day fairytale-come-true in a beautiful children’s book.  I.  Love.  This.  Book.  I marvel at the beauty of the story itself and how it empowers readers to contribute a little to make a big difference.  Ms. McBrier will be at the LA Times Festival of Books in the Heifer booth on Saturday from 11AM to 3PM autographing Beatrice’s Goat.  I’m buying three autographed books to giveaway.  I’ll be at the booth on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3PM, so if you’re attending the Festival, please stop by and visit.

Here’s how you can win:

1.  Comment on this post.

2.  In honor of Heifer’s Pass-on-the-Gift Month, we’re donating $1 for each commenter on any Heifer post during the month of April on Bookstore People (the original donation post, this post or one coming up next week with more exciting Heifer news), Traveling Mamas and Type-A Mom.  We’re giving away up to $1,500.  Comment on the Heifer post at Traveling Mamas and Type-A Mom so we donate another $1, leave another comment here letting us know, and you have another entry.

3.  Share this giveaway on one or more social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, My Space, etc) and let us know for another entry.

I’ll be holding the drawing on April 30th.  This book is precious to me, you will love it, so try to win it.