Some of you in the kid lit community may have heard the sad news of the passing of Clara Bowman-Jahn. Clara was one of the first people who welcomed me into this picture book writing world. She was a bright light of kindness and was always looking for ways to help others.

Since today is Perfect Picture Book Friday, I am reblogging a portion of a post I did back in 2014 when her second picture book launched.

Edmund Pickle Chin – A Donkey Rescue Story

Written by Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood

Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly

Publisher: eTreasures Publishing (April 2014)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:Animal rescue, animal abuse

Synopsis: From eTreasures

“Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story is based on a true story. Edmund, the main character, is an abused donkey who is the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm, a small rescue in central Georgia, home. Susan, Edmund’s care giver in the story, not only gives the shy donkey the time and patience he needs but gives him a new name every day of the week. The title takes on one of those nicknames she so lovingly calls him. As Susan starts to take in new critters, Edmund finds himself changing. As his name grows, so does his trust and acceptance. Edmund soon learns that he is not only needed but wanted. This confused, frightened donkey’s life changes as he becomes a hero, a babysitter, and a companion to the other residents at Evermay Farm.”

Why I like this book:

• Beautiful illustrations
• Wonderful introduction for young children to the need to care for and be kind to animals
• Helps children understand that everyone feels strange in a new place…but we get more comfortable as time passes
• Based on a true story
• When you can make a non-fiction book appealing to children, you have a winner!

How a parent can use this book:

• Talk about how people need to be responsible pet owners – what do animals need?
• How do different animals help us? How should work animals be treated?
• Visit a local animal shelter
• Older children can take part in a fundraiser for a local animal shelter

Related Activities:

PAPER PLATE DONKEY

If you visit my blog often, you’ll know that I love to use paper plates as the base material in crafts for young children.

You will need: 1 paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons.

1. Color the plate gray or brown (depending on the crayon colors available or if desired, your child can paint it).
2. Cut out the eyes, nose, hair, teeth and ears from construction paper and glue in place.
3. Use the paper plate as a mask or puppet to role play parts of the story.

For more donkey crafts go here: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/donkeys.html

Clara Bowman-Jahn is one of the talented authors of Edmund Pickle Chin.

Clara Bowman-Jahn worked as a registered nurse for thirty two years finally trading that job for her true love, writing. Clara’s short stories have been published in three anthologies, Campaigner Challenges 2011, The ‘I’ Word and Charms Vol. 2. She is also the author of Annie’s Special Day, a children’s picture book. Her second picture book is a true story, Edmund Pickle Chin, a Donkey Rescue Story.

When Clara is not writing, she volunteers by teaching ESOL to adult students. She also likes Pilates, blogging, reading books and taking long walks with her husband. She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic, Pennwriters, Bethesda Writer’s Center and Round Hill Writer’s Group. She lives in rural Loudoun County, Virginia with her brilliant husband, and two cats. She is the proud mother of two wonderful grown sons and a grandmother to a delightful grandson.

Susan April Elwood is the other talented author of Edmund Pickle Chin.

Susan April Elwood has worked with children for over twenty years in Northern Virginia as a preschool teacher, kindergarten assistant, and a library assistant. With her passion for animals it made perfect sense to combine the two and write an animal story for children, teaming up with author Clara Bowman-Jahn.

Susan and her husband Tom moved from Northern Virginia in 2007 to central Georgia where they founded Evermay Farm, a non-profit rescue for farm animals. This is the setting for the book titled, Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story. The story is based on Edmund, a donkey, the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm home. Susan and her husband Tom have two treasured sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and a precious grandson. In her free time, Susan enjoys photographing animals and antiquing.

To read more awesome picture book reviews, please visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your precious time here. I hope you will stop by tomorrow as I continue remembering Clara on Will Write for Cookies with a post she did for me several years ago on GOALS.