Tova R Cladouhos

Little Molly, a registered Border Collie, was introduced to readers in 2019 with her own book. Jeanne Boudrieau contacted the author through the Idaho County Free Press in 2020 to purchase Little Molly's book and revealed she had "Secret," one of Little Molly's puppies. From that point, momentum grew to tell the rest of Secret's story. On St. Patrick's Day, 2018, Little Molly had a litter of nine puppies. The family veterinarian said the last one would not survive without bottle feeding. Ten-year-old Elsa volunteered to bottle-feed the runt, and it soon became an integral member of the Evans family. Young readers will appreciate Secret's uniqueness as the narrative deals with themes that are different from many children's books. Further, it enables readers to make predictions figuring out if Secret will succeed in dog trials. Clues are weaved in with plenty of action, creating authentic situations to enrich the suspense of this engaging and poignant story. The image of "cuteness" transforms a runt named "Secret" to becoming an unexpected champion.

This is a story about a special Border Collie herding sheep on the Camas Prairie in north central Idaho. In one year, our flock grew to 45. They were difficult to manage without the assistance of a herding dog. Why do sheep get out of fenced areas into alfalfa fields? Why are sheep so difficult to herd back inside the pasture? How can coyotes be foiled when looking for opportunities to take down lambs? The answers are revealed after a Border Collie came to work on a sheep farm. There are several aspects of the story connecting the reader with animal behavior. Molly's natural herding traits, eagerness to herd and move sheep, becomes an inside dog after living outside in a doghouse. The story jumps forward with a twist when Little Molly is found to be averse to loud noises, takes off, and runs away The author loves her life on the farm and writes with rich language and emotion that helps the reader learn about raising sheep and the crucial role of a trained Border Collie to help manage them. The most fulfilling aspect for a shepherd is to have help of a good herding dog. The shepherd and Molly learn to work together; she shares these experiences through storytelling. According to Jeffrey Rudolph's DOGS A Science Tail, "It's really not about dogs and science. It's really about how dogs and humans have evolved together over thousands of years. It's that social bond established between humans and dogs that enables us to communicate with dogs." Dogs help make our life complete. Where would we be without them?

Most of the adventures in this story really occurred, illustrating the philosophy of concern for life that includes a pet sheep. The story unfolds the life of a lamb, Lily, and multiple problems encountered for her survival. Although most of the book is intended for entertainment for boys and girls, I hope readers will be engaged in a positive way in that all life is important.

Most of the adventures in this story really occurred, illustrating the philosophy of concern for life that includes a pet sheep. The story unfolds the life of a lamb, Lily, and multiple problems encountered for her survival. Although most of the book is intended for entertainment for boys and girls, I hope readers will be engaged in a positive way in that all life is important.