Impeccable Little Book About A Dogs Role in Protecting Livestock – My Book Review

My Book Review

Impeccable Little Book About A Dogs Role in Protecting Livestock – My Book Review

“There are more stars in the sky than there are wildflowers in a Texas field. Throughout the pasture, fireflies flash and glow.”

I love dogs. I adore dogs. I am simply bewitched by dogs. If I see a dog nine times out of ten I either speak to it or I will ask to pet it. I have two charismatic dogs myself, one who is a protector. I was overjoyed to be able to read and review of this little book I Am Jax, Protector Of The Ranch, by Catherine Stier.

This is a delightful chapter book that introduces kids to the significance of having protector dogs around for livestock. Unless you grew up around livestock and farming and ranching, most kids will be unfamiliar with the chief role dogs like Jax are in working at keeping sheep, goats, and cattle safe.

Raise your hand if you have ever hugged the neck of Great Pyrenees. I have. You can literally use them as pillows.

In this little book kids are introduced to Jax, a Great Pyrenees, and his other protector companions who guard sheep. In the span of a night, Jax encounters some coyotes, a bobcat, a mountain lion, and the birth of a lamb. As the story moves along it relates the possible dangers livestock faces while living out in the country. Stier handles the realistic writing about the coyotes, bobcat, and mountain lion impeccably from a wildlife biological perspective.

One of the most important lessons from this chapter book is that not all dogs need to be in a home every night.

The illustrations by Francesca Rosa are charming and carry the story quite well. My favorite illustration is of the mockingbird and Jax. The end reading materials go into more details about working dogs and offer the possibility of further discussions. Plus, Stier adds additional information about Great Pyreneess and Anatolian Shepherds.

I Am Jax, Protector Of The Ranch, is a perfect read for kids between 2 – 5 grades. I can even see a read-along of the book for 1^st graders.

This is an impeccable little book relating the importance of livestock protector dogs. Check it out to expand your children’s world and most definitely check it out if your kids loves dogs like I do!