Customer Reviews

The Goat Lady (Aspca Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards (Awards))

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was touched by this story of an old lady whose love exudes from every inch of her aging body. This is a great story to read to children because it teaches them that appearances are not all that they seem. Recent research shows that children identify with thing of beauty straight from the womb. However, it takes time to realize that not all beauty is external.

This book approaches children at a level they can understand yet communicates an ideal deeper than they have yet imagined. The beautiful artistry from Bregoli shines throughout, and never appears rushed. Each (done by jane herself) painting is exquisitely and intricately crafted by a master with the brush. For some, it comes rather effortlessly. I sense this is the case with Jane, but I do not know her personally.

One of my favorite children's books in years. Perhaps the best I've read since The Ox Cart Man.

"The Goat Lady" is a beautiful book for every member of the family to savor. It is a true story told with gentleness as if to forgive readers who might have been among the irascible neighbors making trivial complaints about her goats and unkempt property. Through the story we learn to appreciate Noelie's spirit and kindnesses, and can recognize those objections as poorly disguised attempts to protect so-called 'property values'! Ironically, the neighbors' homesites were once land owned by the elderly woman and sold to pay bills when her husband was dying.

It was in 1988 that "the Goat Lady" introduces herself to the author's children: "I am Noelie Lemire Houle, French Canadian, born in 1899." NOELIE ! With that lovely name how could she NOT be filled with kindness 'for man & beast'? She began raising goats after learning that she needed to drink goats' milk to strengthen her bones and alleviate the arthritis she suffered. In time her herd increased, milk products were sold or traded to benefit many, and the extra kids were donated to the HEIFER PROJECT which sent her good will on a trip around the globe! This story will give great impetus to the work of that organization, and increase its influence a hundred-fold.

Author Jane Bregoli (www.janebregoli.com) illustrated her book with delicately perceptive portraits of Noelie. I am still taken with the artists's ability to paint the fuzziness of Noelie's cartigan sweater and the fine goat hairs, as well as subtle shadings of color. Reviewer mcHAIKU points to her favorite portrait on p.22 and exclaims, "This is truly superb!" I hope all readers are equally enthusiastic about this fascinating story of a stalwart lady and her goats.

In this tale of a young girl who is curious about her odd neighbor, the girl takes a journey to find out that her neighbor is not that strange after all. Her neighbor is an old woman who takes care of goats to receive the nick name goat lady. The girl soon befriends the old woman and ends up helping her tend to the goats and other animals on her farm. The old woman tells her of how she became a goat farmer and she teaches her about the goats. The girl has her mother paint a portrait of the old woman and she ends up painting so many that she has an entire gallery exhibit. After the exhibit, the neighbors learn more about the goat lady as well at stop complaining about her un-kept yard when they realize what a nice person she is. Along with a great storyline, this book has wonderful illustrations. This book could be used in the classroom for so many different activities, one of the most important being kind to your neighbors and not "judging a book by its cover."

I was looking for a book for my nephews and neices. We raise goats. I am extremely delighted with the lessons taught by this book;the tenderness of the relationship between the wonderful lady and her animals; and the illustrating.
Overall excellent rating . Would recommend for young and old.

This is a beautiful book on so many levels.... The story itself is one of tolerance, compassion and healing. Then there is the love of art that shines through in both text and paintings. The artwork alone brought tears to my eyes with its sensitivity to the spirit that shines through the old woman, the goats, the landscape (there is one particularly beautiful two-page illustration of a child and goats against the backdrop of bare trees and a wintery sunset), even an old washer.... Then there are the goats, so charmingly captured in their odd combination of dignity, innocence and playfulness. I have been falling in love with goats for some time (though I am primarily a cat person) and was delighted to read that many of Noelie's goats were given to the Heifer Project. (Perhaps one of their descendants is the goat my fiance and I sponsored last Christmas!) All in all, this is a book to warm the heart and raise the spirit, a book for children and adults, artists and animal lovers, and a celebration of love and beauty in all its forms.

I purchased this book for my 98-year old mother, who grew up on a farm, and for my four year old grandson who lives in very 21st century CA, and they both thought it was an exceptionally fine story. The author tells a meaningful book for people of all ages, and the beautiful art work further enhances the text.

Jane Bregoli captivates audiences with her friendly depiction of goats and neighbors of all ages! Delightful, inspired paintings illustrate her true story. Readers from all over will enjoy this classic story, solid in values, strong in spirit, and a joy to read over again.

I couldn't find any goat stuff for my stepmother for mothers day and she has baby goats that she loves as her children. When i found this book, i was so excited! and she absolutely loved it! Great Book!

Wonderful book my grandchildren love to have me read this to them over and over. My 87 year old mother loves it too.

Teaching a child to have compassion is important. Jane Bregoli's "The Goat Lady" is a true story that shows how love can bring an elderly outcast back into the folds of society. When Jessica and David move to Dartmouth, Mass., they bring with them acceptance and understanding. They do not ridicule Noelie, who dresses funny and lets goats inside her house. Instead, they get to know her for who she truly is. By looking past her exterior appearance, they get to experience her generous, caring heart.

Jessica and David also share Noelie's true personality with others. Their mother (Bregoli) begins to capture Noelie's essence with her paintbrush - the impetus behind the book's creation. "The Goat Lady's" endearing portraits are intensely moving. They depict Noelie's quirkiness - one sock on, one sock off, her frugality - twine as a belt, and her gentleness - with a baby goat on her lap. For the town, the paintings provide a window into her life. With a new insight into their most-talked-about resident, the community embraces Noelie. She is asked to lead the Fourth of July parade and receives an award for providing the town with fresh goat's milk. Thanks to the interest of two children, she no longer lives in isolation.

What makes this story special is that it actually happened. It is not a packaged narrative with a simplistic moral tone. Instead, legitimate concerns, regarding hygiene and mental competency, are subjects that are mentioned, if only in passing. People may shy away from those who are eccentric, but usually not without reason. Noelie lives in a ramshackle, old farmhouse in desperate need of repair. Her poverty as well as her age are additional factors working against her in the realm of public opinion. The story does not gloss over the root causes behind these embedded perceptions.

Today, many forms of children's entertainment feature the antics of wise-cracking, know-it-all characters. It is refreshing to encounter a story that is so grounded in reality. It shows how a child has the power to make a difference in the life of an adult. Children are not powerless beings adrift in a world beyond their control. They have a voice, and when they use it, can effect change where it is most needed. Their influence is not to be underestimated.

Overall, this lady will get your goat, but in a good way.