The Littlest Cow is a 48-page, full-color children’s picture book, with endearing text written by Melissa Glim and adorable illustrations by Jennifer Glimcher.

In the story, a little dog named Annie wants to march in the town’s cow parade, The Million Moo March. Unfortunately, the cows don’t want to share their parade with ‘outsiders.’ To reach her goal and bring harmony back to the town, Annie has to bring together the feuding cows and help them make friends with each other as well as with animals on other farms nearby.

The story demonstrates the importance of inclusion, looking for similarities among different groups, embracing differences, making friends, and solving a problem.

The book also contains a read-aloud guide and activities for parents, teachers, and librarians to use when reading to children. Written by an educator with more than 30 years of experience (okay, it’s Melissa’s Mom!), the guide helps children explore the central themes of the book and relate it to their own experiences.

Brattleboro, Vt, the author’s hometown, holds an annual parade and festival called the Strolling of the Heifers. It celebrates Vermont’s agricultural and in particular, dairy industry and culture and features children leading their young cows up Main Street, as well as bands, local groups, artists, business groups, farmers, etc. It is the biggest event in the state and it attracts tourists, political leaders, and local residents. Melissa initially conceived of the story after joking with friends and other onlookers about how her dog, Annie (also in attendance) had the same markings as the Holsteins going by. Annie was a particularly friendly dog, who had people, canine, and feline friends, so the idea of Annie bringing together area animals in friendship was born.

The list price is $10.95 on Amazon.com. It can be ordered through Amazon, downloaded as an eBook (Kindle), or bought by distributers such as bookstores and libraries through Amazon’s wholesale services.