A new children’s book involving farm animals has been released today (Thursday, March 28).
Entitled ‘The Little Lamb Who Led’, it is a tale that introduces children to animals on the mountainside, while also teaching them coping skills.
Author of ‘The Little Lamb Who Led’, Katie O’ Donoghue told Agriland:
“The little lamb going up the mountainside is inspired by the Macgillicuddy reeks, as we are very privileged that we have all these national parks and mountains.
“I think something like 125,000 people go up the Carrauntoohil every year, and that’s all privately-owned by farmers, and they let us use that land out of the goodness of their own hearts and goodwill.”
Katie O’Donoghue is an art psychotherapist and is accredited with the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapist (ICAT) and is also a psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counsellors (IACP).
The author added that these are special areas of conservation and that the farmers are “custodians” of that land, protecting it and the wildlife, while also trying to make a living off it.
‘Little lamb’ has been separated from her mother, but she knows she will find her at the top of the mountain.
The journey scares her, but she becomes more confident as she climbs. She even ends up helping others by taking the lead.
O’Donoghue told Agriland that she wanted to send the message to children that no matter their size, that everyone has the potential to develop confidence, empathy and leadership skills.
She said that many children would be able to relate to the lamb, as they may be going to school and experience being apart from their parents for the first time.
The children will have to experience making friends and maybe at times, take the initiative to be the leader just like little lamb, the author said.
She decided to use a lamb for the main character, as she felt lambs were often underestimated and not seen as the leader type.
The first book of the series is entitled ‘The Little Squirrel Who Worried’. This book was created to support children with anxiety and was inspired by the forestry in Clarity National Park, the author said.
The book will be available in all bookstores and online to purchase from today.