William's Nine Lives: A Story for Children

"Johnny and Sue thought Tuesday would never come. That was the day they were to take their first train ride—all by themselves, too! Not only that, but they were going to spend ten whole days at Grandpa’s farm! They loved to visit the farm. For Grandma would let them hunt eggs in the hay mow, and Grandpa would let them ride on the tractor. And they could hug the soft, wooly lambs and let the baby calves suck their fingers. Besides, there were Grandma’s wonderful fried chicken dinners and delicious cherry pies! And Grandpa’s exciting bedtime stories! They could hardly wait!" Most of today’s children have never visited a farm and have no notion of daily chores or of picking vegetables anywhere but in the supermarket. Children need to know that without farmers there would be no food. They need to know that milk doesn’t come from square cardboard containers in the supermarket cooler. Joe’s book will introduce them to a way of life that is as rewarding as it is difficult, and it may make them more appreciative of what is set in front of them at supper, before their story time and bed.