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.

Annie-Circle_Lo-ResIn 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.

Upcoming Events

Join Melissa and Jennifer at two book signing events this spring!

Saturday, May 16, 2015, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
The Gaithersburg Book Festival
Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds
31 S. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Sunday, April 26, 2015, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Kensington Day of the Book
Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895

Past Events

December 6, 2014, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Public Reading, Hooray for Books!
1555 King Street, Alexandria, VA
Hooray for Books!

June 7, 2014, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Common, Brattleboro, Vermont
The Strolling of the Heifers Slow Living Expo
Join Melissa on the Common for a live reading of the Littlest Cow and book signings. There will be fun and games for all!

June 6, 2014, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont
Gallery Walk Street Festival at the Strolling of the Heifers
Melissa will be signing copies of The Littlest Cow.

June 4, 2014, 12:00 noon
The Robert H. Gibson River Garden, Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont
The Strolling of the Heifers Brown Bag Lunch Series
Melissa will read The Littlest Cow and sign copies. We'll have games to play, too!

June 4, 2014, 10:00 am
WKVT 100.3 FM/1490 AM Live and Local
Chris Lenois talks to Melissa about The Littlest Cow