Pay It Forward

by Laura Miller

Nutsy the Squirrel needs help collecting nuts for the winter. Mama Bird can't find Baby Bird. Brown Cow's tail is stuck in the fence, and Scratch the Dog is lost! Who can help? And how will each repay the other? Follow these woodland and barnyard animals as they embark on an energetic and captivating journey of paying it forward through simple, everyday acts of kindness. And see how one, small deed can set off a chain of generosity that ultimately comes full circle.

76 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

About the author

Laura Miller is a best-selling author whose body of work spans eight novels, five poetry collections and a children’s book, reflecting both versatility and a deep commitment to storytelling. A recipient of the Mid-Missouri Writers First Place Award in Non-Fiction, Miller’s voice is rooted in both literary artistry and journalistic precision.

Born in the Missouri River bottoms, she went on to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), where she balanced academics with athletics as a 400-meter and 600-yard runner on the university’s track and field team. She graduated with a degree in newsprint journalism and a minor in sociology, later building a career as a newspaper reporter covering government and business—an experience that continues to inform the authenticity and depth of her writing.

Miller began her debut novel, Butterfly Weeds, while living in South Carolina in 2008; it was published in 2012 and quickly became one of her most recognized works.

Having spent time in Charleston, South Carolina, and San Diego, California, Miller eventually returned to her Midwestern roots. She now resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where she continues to write stories and poetry that illuminate love and the quiet beauty of small-town life.

Her newest poetry collection, Stray Thoughts, available for pre-order, is a whimsical yet deeply moving exploration of the human spirit, heart and soul. Through reflections on love, loss and self-discovery, Miller invites readers into an intimate journey that captures both the tenderness and ache of everyday life—offering a graceful meditation on what it means to live and to love.

You can follow Laura for signing dates, trailers and more on Facebook (AuthorLauraMiller); Instagram (@AuthorLauraMiller); and YouTube (@LauraMillerBooks).

Reviews

[Laura Miller]

I love the concept of paying it forward, and I wanted to capture that theme in a way that children can enjoy and understand. And because I grew up on a farm in a little, Midwestern town, I wanted to have barnyard and woodland animals tell the story. Rabbit starts the journey that meanders through the farm and ultimately ends with Rabbit's "gift" coming back to him. I hope you enjoy, and I also hope that these characters inspire children to pay it forward in their own way.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of "paying it forward" is an important lesson to teach our children but it's a big concept for some of them to grasp. I think Miller does an amazing job of taking it down to a level children can understand and really learn. This book is fun and the characters are great. My kids love reading it and I know they're learning something really valuable also.