A Co. Laois man, currently based in Paris, looked back to life on the family farm for inspiration in writing his fourth children’s book ‘The Cow Who Lost Her Moo.’
Brendan McDonald from Killeen in south Laois, launched ‘The Cow Who Lost Her Moo’ in Killeen Hall recently.
The book explores themes such as loss, seeking help and ultimately finding your voice. The tale follows Betsy the bovine as she strives to find her voice.
McDonald, who has three brothers and one sister, enjoyed growing up on the family cattle, sheep and tillage farm, which is now run by his brother Paul.
“There was always something going on. My farming background has given me plenty of inspiration for all the books so far.
“My first book ‘Elephant On The Farm’ features the oak tree at the entrance to the farm and some of the farm machinery that we see down the yard, so I didn’t have to go far to be inspired,” he said.
Working with IDA Ireland in Paris for the past two-and-a-half years, McDonald who studied law at the University of Limerick (UL), helps engineering and sustainability companies set up in Ireland.
Donegal-based Martin Beckett once again did the illustrations for the book.
This tale of loss, friendship and finding your voice shows that we all need our voice and that when we have it, we need to use it, said McDonald.
“Having visited so many primary schools with my books over the last few years, it has really shown me how important it is that younger children know that their voice is important and unique, and that they learn to use it,” he added.
McDonad’s nephews and nieces are always willing to chat about themes and story lines. He liked the idea of an animal that was to lose its voice and then regain it.
`’I wanted to reflect how important that is as younger kids grow,” he said.
In ‘The Cow Who Lost Her Moo’, Betsy wakens and realises that she has lost her voice, and decides to ask some of the other animals is she can borrow theirs.
However, she realises that all the other animals need their own unique voices, and that she must find hers. With the help of some medicine from the vet, she rediscovers and values her voice.
Some of the characters from McDonald’s first three books appear in ‘The Cow Who Lost Her Moo.’
“I wanted a link with the other books so ‘Olive the Owl’, ‘Sally the Sheep’ and ‘Deed the Duck’ all star once again. So who knows, some of the characters in book four may also feature in future books,” he said.
10% of net profits from the sale of the book will go to Embrace Farm, a Laois-based charity which resonates with McDonald, as he almost lost his arm in a farm accident when he was seven-years-old.
While the books have great appeal to children living on farms, McDonald said it is also good to be able to bring farming books and stories to non-farming families who have given positive feedback on the illustrations and the different farm animals.