I grew up as a singleton (That’s my kids’ name for an only child.) and  probably would have been lonely and bored  if I hadn’t found good friends between the pages of my favorite books. As a little girl, I loved stories about animals and my affection for furred or feathered critters continues.

Just recently I made a new feathered friend. Our  neighbors have chickens. The birds  have  a mansion level chicken coop and the best of care. I simply get to enjoy the happy sounds of clucking hens. The chickens are allowed out briefly  each afternoon to scratch for insects and run about the yard. When some  found their way under the fence to our squirrel feeder, their owner put up a blockade. She didn’t want them robbing our feeder.

I asked her to let them come, as it was fun to watch them. Then, I couldn’t resist walking close, hoping I could just touch one, feel the fluffy feathers. My new friend comes under the fence and across the yard to meet me and allows me to stroke her feathers in exchange for a few kernels of corn.    I’ve named her after a much-loved  Little Golden Book, The Little Red Hen.

I’ve recently been thinking of another book I loved long ago. It was about a little terrier type dog that tried to guard pies cooling on a windowsill. There was a butterscotch pie in the plot. Does this sound familiar? If you can name the book and give me a tip about finding it,  I’ll send you a copy of my book,  Four Furry Friends.

Happy Reading!