Tess and Gabby Jo
The Beginning of Truest Friendship
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Tess Woolsey considered herself to be a so-average sheep. Her bestie was Gabby Jo Whiskers, whom Tess deemed a not-so-average goat. Through the years, they had found that it was all right to be yourself. For Tess, this meant being not much of a risk taker, puttering close to home, and giving others grace. For Gabby Jo, being herself meant racing to the farthest end of the pasture, leaping off the highest barrel in the barnyard—a lot—and having a tendency to judge others. They also discovered that it was all right to learn and grow and become an even better version of who you were meant to be. Tess didn’t like to remember that deep ache in her middle that she had felt when she was so afraid. As Tess finished her breakfast, Mama continued, “Sometimes we need to think about why people act the way they do. Are they frightened? Are they angry? Have they been hurt in some way? We must put ourselves in their place, trying to see things from where they stand. So Tess decided to try again, come what may. Perhaps Mama was right. With some patience and kindness (and quite possibly a helmet), maybe she and Gabby Jo could be friends—truest friends.
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About the Book
Tess considers herself to be a so-average sheep. Her best friend, Gabby Jo, is a not-so-average goat. Through the years of their friendship, they have embraced their differing personalities. Tess craves peace and quiet and can be anxious, but is braver than she knows. Gabby Jo starts in a panic and escalates. She has things to do and places to go. In the midst of their adventures, a colorful cast of animal characters, including a wise mama sheep, a sassy old goat, a pig who thinks he’s French, a retired workhorse, a laid-back donkey, and a germophobic cow, surrounds them. Tess and Gabby Jo remember the shaky beginning of their friendship. They weave their way through a hurtful first encounter, begin to learn empathy, and choose kindness and trust when these aren’t easy choices. If you or someone you know occasionally struggles with sadness like Gabby Jo or anxiety like Tess, don’t forget about hope and love. Remember that forgiveness and trying again might just lead to the kind of friendship that is encouraging and meaningful—truest friendship.
About the Author
Tracy Michael Shrader was born in Kansas on Kansas’s birthday, which, to her, is kind of a big deal. She loves spending time with her husband (who is her bestie), children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She was born with an old, dawdling soul, which is probably why she enjoys animals, antiques, farmhouse things, nature, and long drives in the country.