Several years ago, I worked on a friend’s (working, but more “gentlemanly” than “old school”) farm. One of the things I was asked to do was take goats to another pen, but only having a rope on the lead goat. I was told the rest would follow. And follow they did. All I can say is thank goodness I had hold of that main one! She was ready to show me goats could fly and I could fall face first in goop. That goop, yes friends, rhymed with goop. It was the pony goop, which after I put the goats in that pen was going to scoop (much to the amusement of my aunt after telling her “I scooped the goop!”). And scoop and scoop and have a goat walk up, turn her back to me, and pellets from the (not) sky fall into the cleaned spot. By the third time, the goats and I had words and I was going to see if there was a “return to sender” option on my shovel…..
Therefore, my relationship with goats has been love/hate. I hate to love them, but love to… like them. I also have a nephew who (for some reason) adores them. Especially babies. But then again, anything baby he takes too. Much like I took to Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna by Uschi Müller and illustrated by Brittany Lane. Perhaps this was because I was not the one minding the goats this time around. Perhaps this was because it is well written. Perhaps this was because of the delightfully colored and detailed illustrations. And maybe because it was about an earthquake, animals intelligence and not goop.
Based on true events, Salvatore is minding the family goat herd for the first time solo. And instead of listening to his father when the goats start to “act up” (he has been told to be the boss of the goats, not them boss him. And I speak from experience when I say, that isn’t easy!), he lets them run off, following them and eventually, getting them to safety. And because Salvatore does listen to the goats, especially the one he has a connection with, he is able to save his family’s livelihood (and himself) from the devastation of an earthquake. Not only is this a delightful book about bravery and listening to your own sixth senses, but also a book that is inspirational. Plus, it shows how scientists are able to study animals to learn how they could help us predict natural disasters.
Also included are back material on the science part of things. Due in October 2024, I was able to read via an online reader copy.
