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The Goat Lady
Her other neighbors bemoan the "Goat Lady's" rundown house and barnyard animals, but the children see how she cares for her goats, they hear her stories, and they come to love her. For many years Noelie has provided goat's milk for people who need it and has sent her extra goat kids to poor people in poor countries through the Heifer Project. The children's mother paints a series of portraits of the "Goat Lady," and her art show at the local town hall helps the rest of the community see Noelie's kindness and courage.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 19, 2010
When they first moved to their new home, the Bregolis, like their neighbors, were disapproving of the rundown old house with all the animals wandering around it. But when they got to know their elderly neighbor and her goats they came to love them. And after Bregoli's series of paintings -- the illustrations for this book -- were displayed, the community came to appreciate the "Goat Lady" as well.
Bregoli manages to incorporate a number of important themes in an impressively non-preachy way: generosity. kindness to animals. not judging based on appearances. the power of art.
When I was a kid I would most likely have declined to read this because it bears prominently the recommendation of a Teachers organization; hopefully other youngsters will be less judgmental than I.
Bregoli manages to incorporate a number of important themes in an impressively non-preachy way: generosity. kindness to animals. not judging based on appearances. the power of art.
When I was a kid I would most likely have declined to read this because it bears prominently the recommendation of a Teachers organization; hopefully other youngsters will be less judgmental than I.
May 4, 2019
The people of Dartmouth, Massachusetts didn't care for Noelie Lemire Houle, the elderly French-Canadian woman who lived in a rundown farmhouse with peeling paint, crooked doors, and white goats milling about in the yard. They didn't like the noise created by Noelie's animals, complained of the fact that her house was a neighborhood eyesore, and objected to her unkempt personal appearance - her mismatched clothing, and coat held together with twine.
And then one day, artist Jane Bregoli and her two young children moved into the area, and through their friendship with the "Goat Lady," and a series of portraits shown at a local art exhibit, they introduced Dartmouth to the Noelie they didn't know: the gentle, kind-hearted woman who treated her animals like her own children, and who was always willing to share her goat's milk with those in need. The widow whose family had once owned all the surrounding land, until it had had to be sold off, to pay for medical treatment for her husband's illness. The generous soul who frequently sent her extra goats to Heifer International, so that the impoverished people in other countries might also enjoy their good milk - milk that had helped with her own terrible arthritis.
I can see why The Goat Lady (yet another phenomenal picture-book from Maine-based publisher, Tilbury House) was given an ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award - "established to honor books that promote the humane ethic of compassion and respect for all living things" - as the gentle narrative, told from the perspective of one of Bregoli's children, really emphasizes Noelie's love for her animals, and the great care she took of them. It also highlights the importance of looking beneath the surface, and trying to really get to know other people, offering a poignant example of how easy it can be to devalue and disparage our fellow human beings - especially the elderly - based on nothing more than our own shallow misperception of who they are.
A tribute to a wonderful old woman, The Goat Lady is also a beautiful work of art, reproducing Bregoli's luminous portraits of Noelie - sitting in a chair with a goat on her lap, standing in the door of her barn, in her twine-bound coat - and presenting an engaging story that reminds us of our shared humanity. Highly recommended!
And then one day, artist Jane Bregoli and her two young children moved into the area, and through their friendship with the "Goat Lady," and a series of portraits shown at a local art exhibit, they introduced Dartmouth to the Noelie they didn't know: the gentle, kind-hearted woman who treated her animals like her own children, and who was always willing to share her goat's milk with those in need. The widow whose family had once owned all the surrounding land, until it had had to be sold off, to pay for medical treatment for her husband's illness. The generous soul who frequently sent her extra goats to Heifer International, so that the impoverished people in other countries might also enjoy their good milk - milk that had helped with her own terrible arthritis.
I can see why The Goat Lady (yet another phenomenal picture-book from Maine-based publisher, Tilbury House) was given an ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award - "established to honor books that promote the humane ethic of compassion and respect for all living things" - as the gentle narrative, told from the perspective of one of Bregoli's children, really emphasizes Noelie's love for her animals, and the great care she took of them. It also highlights the importance of looking beneath the surface, and trying to really get to know other people, offering a poignant example of how easy it can be to devalue and disparage our fellow human beings - especially the elderly - based on nothing more than our own shallow misperception of who they are.
A tribute to a wonderful old woman, The Goat Lady is also a beautiful work of art, reproducing Bregoli's luminous portraits of Noelie - sitting in a chair with a goat on her lap, standing in the door of her barn, in her twine-bound coat - and presenting an engaging story that reminds us of our shared humanity. Highly recommended!
April 21, 2021
You know I love 🐐! Also this connects to Heifer International, one of my favorite charities.
November 3, 2010
At its core, The Goat Lady is trying to be a sweet story about compassion and acceptance. I like the eventual acceptance of the offbeat woman and the pacing of the book.
However, I can't get past how NOT VEGAN this book is. I don't care how sweet and "humane" the woman treats her animals, it's still exploitation. The explanation- that goat's milk healed the woman's arthritis- is silly (studies have shown adopting a vegan diet can help alleviate the effects of arthritis). And the plug for Heifer International at the end of the book is just annoying. If she cared so much for her goats and sold them to a farmer who would keep the family herd together at the end, why would she donate some to Heifer International- tearing them away from their original family and farm (heck, their country!) and into the hand of someone she don't know, who may not care for them as much/as well as she does?
If you're not vegan, but trying to teach children to be kind to animals, you're morally schizophrenic.
However, I can't get past how NOT VEGAN this book is. I don't care how sweet and "humane" the woman treats her animals, it's still exploitation. The explanation- that goat's milk healed the woman's arthritis- is silly (studies have shown adopting a vegan diet can help alleviate the effects of arthritis). And the plug for Heifer International at the end of the book is just annoying. If she cared so much for her goats and sold them to a farmer who would keep the family herd together at the end, why would she donate some to Heifer International- tearing them away from their original family and farm (heck, their country!) and into the hand of someone she don't know, who may not care for them as much/as well as she does?
If you're not vegan, but trying to teach children to be kind to animals, you're morally schizophrenic.
April 5, 2018
Out of the hundreds of books I've read to our kids when they were little, THIS book was one of my very very favorites.
The illustrations were AMAZING and the story so heartwarming.
Our peeps are adults now, starting their own families.
I am going to have to purchase a copy for our grandbabies so I can enjoy it once again and share this moving story with them.
The illustrations were AMAZING and the story so heartwarming.
Our peeps are adults now, starting their own families.
I am going to have to purchase a copy for our grandbabies so I can enjoy it once again and share this moving story with them.
September 18, 2011
A touching story of how a child can make a difference. Great starting point for teachers looking to start a service learning project with a class. This book can be used as an introduction of the power a child has through action.
February 17, 2009
A sweet picture book about the people next door and the ideas we have about them before we know them.
June 11, 2010
I'm looking forward to sharing this touching story with my kids. This is just the kind of story that will inspire a great conversation about love, compassion, and what it really means to be human.
March 20, 2019
A pleasant reminder of caring farmers, neighbors, and those people they help. If you’ve ever had “The Goat Lady” as one of your neighbors, this precious story is for you.
April 2, 2020
For a little kid's book, this was pretty inspiring. It's the true story of an old lady that was doing amazing things helping people all over the world even while her neighbors were complaining. Before anyone took the time to really talk with her and learn her story, everyone was judging her based on what they could see on the outside. With all the animals and property in disrepair, people thought they knew everything they needed to.
Once the truth was known, people were amazed to see just how wrong they were. Noelie was more than anyone ever knew and with some help, was able to show everyone why you should never pass judgement about someone without knowing their story.
The fact that this is a true story makes it all the more inspiring. This one lady that everyone looked down on was doing so much good in the world without any thought of recognition. She had the ability to help, so she did. How many of us help others just because we can with no thought of being thanked or recognized for what we did? In a world where everything is based on how many likes we can get, I think everyone could learn something from the Goat Lady.
Author: Jane Bregoli
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Publication Date: September 1st 2004
Once the truth was known, people were amazed to see just how wrong they were. Noelie was more than anyone ever knew and with some help, was able to show everyone why you should never pass judgement about someone without knowing their story.
The fact that this is a true story makes it all the more inspiring. This one lady that everyone looked down on was doing so much good in the world without any thought of recognition. She had the ability to help, so she did. How many of us help others just because we can with no thought of being thanked or recognized for what we did? In a world where everything is based on how many likes we can get, I think everyone could learn something from the Goat Lady.
Author: Jane Bregoli
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Publication Date: September 1st 2004
October 19, 2020
This is a sweet story about how a town changes its attitudes about an elderly woman who lives in a rundown house surrounded by her goats, chickens, ducks, and a goose once someone takes the time to get to know her and share her story with others.
The frequent shifts between "I" and "we" in the narration made for a somewhat confusing read. Perhaps things were clearer in the pictures that accompany the text. Since I was reading a Braille version that didn't include pictures, I was confused, but not enough to prevent me from finishing the book and enjoying it.
The book also highlights the work of Heifer International, always a good thing for a worthy nonprofit organization that has helped many people improve their lives through agriculture and education.
The frequent shifts between "I" and "we" in the narration made for a somewhat confusing read. Perhaps things were clearer in the pictures that accompany the text. Since I was reading a Braille version that didn't include pictures, I was confused, but not enough to prevent me from finishing the book and enjoying it.
The book also highlights the work of Heifer International, always a good thing for a worthy nonprofit organization that has helped many people improve their lives through agriculture and education.
February 29, 2024
This book was given to me, as I lived in the house in 1995, after the goat lady was no longer living there. I had heard the stories of her from the following owner. The land was rich to grow delicious vegetables. And even now, I ran into a coworker 30 years later, who is from Dartmouth, and recalls the Goat Lady. She made an impact on the local community, and won people's hearts with her kindness.
Jane Bregoli captured the essence of what happens when we care for our neighbors and leave your judgements behind.
I reread it recently with one of my aging parents. It brought a smile to their face (and mine) that the mention of the Goat Lady house triggered memories of my time living there in my post collegiate years.
Jane Bregoli captured the essence of what happens when we care for our neighbors and leave your judgements behind.
I reread it recently with one of my aging parents. It brought a smile to their face (and mine) that the mention of the Goat Lady house triggered memories of my time living there in my post collegiate years.
October 27, 2018
Inspiring Story with beautiful art work. It brought tears to my eyes.
June 27, 2019
Just beautiful!
January 29, 2021
I loved this book about the Goat Lady from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which is two towns over from me. I've driven by her house many a time--she really is a local legend!
March 6, 2018
Two children and their mother, new to the neighborhood, befriend Noelie Houle, an elderly lady who raises goats. Her other neighbors bemoan the "Goat Lady's" rundown house and barnyard animals, but the children see how she cares for her goats, they hear her stories, and they come to love her.
For many years Noelie has provided goat's milk for people who need it and has sent her extra goat kids to poor people in poor countries through Heifer International. The children's mother paints a series of portraits of the "Goat Lady," and her art show at the local town hall helps the rest of the community see Noelie's kindness and courage.
In this wonderful children's book, The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli, children will learn that what they see on the outside isn't always what is going on inside. Looks can be deceiving much like judging a book by it's cover. The children come to learn about the wonderful old lady as well as the whole town and soon things that bothered people in the beginning didn't bother them as much any longer.
I received this book compliments of Tilbury House Publishers for my honest review and have to say, I loved this heartwarming tale of the Goat Lady and why she does the things she does. It's an important reminder that it isn't so much what you have in this world that makes you important as what you do with what you have instead. I rate this story a 5 out of 5 stars and can see this becoming a wonderful classic children's story.
November 26, 2012
This is a wonderful book in so many ways. It teaches that to love and accept other people, we need to get to know them. It teaches that elderly people who cannot do much by themselves have not always been that way, and that they have amazing experiences to share. It teaches the many ways we can help others. Best of all, it teaches children (and adults!) that there are organizations that help people become healthier and more self-sufficient through the donation of livestock (the example here is Heifer International). I love that so much is taught so simply and so lovingly, without being didactic. The art is also beautiful and a rich focus for study and contemplation.
We look forward to donating animals someday to Heifer International, once we get a bit of land in the country. Until then, we can donate money so they can buy livestock, even as small as chickens and guinea pigs. I highly recommend this book for teaching children to respect and care for the elderly, and for introducing children to the ideas of charitable giving.
We look forward to donating animals someday to Heifer International, once we get a bit of land in the country. Until then, we can donate money so they can buy livestock, even as small as chickens and guinea pigs. I highly recommend this book for teaching children to respect and care for the elderly, and for introducing children to the ideas of charitable giving.
April 14, 2016
A beautifully illustrated children's picture book about two kids and their mom new to the neighborhood who befriend the crazy goat lady in the rundown house nearby. Once hearing her stories and seeing the loving care she bestows on her goats they develop deep bonds. Based on the story of Noelie Houle, born in 1899 in Quebec, who moved to Dartmouth, MA in 1919.
April 27, 2016
This is a beautiful children's book that can be appreciated by all ages. Not only is the author's artwork delightful, but the story is touchingly sweet - and based on a real person in the author's life. The side story accompanying the book narrative is interesting and inspiring. I loved this book!
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September 30, 2013A story about a lady who raises goats and helps others in need.
August 8, 2010
This was a great book that i read with my little sis...
this book had a good lesson....
you'll have to read the book to find that out though.
this book had a good lesson....
you'll have to read the book to find that out though.
July 27, 2011
childrens picture book
March 6, 2013
This a delightful story about an elderly lady and her goats and an artist and her work. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews