The Goat Lady »

Tells the story of an elderly French-Canadian woman who lived in Massachusetts and raised goats to provide milk for people who needed it.

Lisa P. Hill - Children's Literature

A family moves into their new home. All the houses in the neighborhood except for one have new paint and well-kept lawns. One old farmhouse sticks out with peeling paint, rickety old fences, rusty barrels lying about, and lots of frisky farm animals. Neighbors living nearby in their modern houses do not approve. The goose chases a jogger, the rooster crows day and night, and the goats hop over the fence to eat newly planted trees. Something has to be done about this neighbor with all the goats and farm animals! One cold October morning, two young children brave the honking goose and meet the Goat Lady, Noelie Lemire Houle. Miss Houle welcomes them into her life teaching them about farm animals, friendship and a different way of living. The children introduce the Goat Lady to their mother, an artist. By painting Miss Houle's picture and her daily activities, the neighbors and community gradually come to learn about and appreciate the Goat Lady. They discover how she donates young goats, "kids," to the Heifer Project, an International nonprofit organization. The Heifer Project has helped over 5 million families in 125 countries escape hunger, become more self-sufficient and become environmental aware. Two children help the Goat Lady teach her neighbors and community about the giving, courage and kindness. 2004, Tilbury House Publishers, Ages 8 to 11.