Bully Goat to the Rescue

About the Book

Bully Goat comes to live on a ranch in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, and soon exhibits his bullying behaviors. Gradually Bully learns to care more about his goat friends, even defending them against nasty goat visitors. While learning to become a rescue goat, Bully becomes more confident and no longer needs to bully others. He changes his name to Billy Goat after winning first place at the county 4-H fair. When called upon to rescue a young boy involved in a serious hiking accident, Billy demonstrates what a good friend and rescue goat he has become. Children will understand more about bullying behaviors, safe hiking and rescue techniques, and goats. Appendices about 4-H of America and President Theodore Roosevelt.

About the Author

Nancy Lee Mervar’s first children’s picture book, Nana’s Silly Goats, is a $16 hard-cover picture book which is a suitable read-aloud for preschool through primary grade children. Readability level is second to third grade. Illustrations are colorful and whimsical, and support young readers’ understanding and humor. True facts about goats are included for discussion. Readers and listeners can try to sort real from imaginary events. The text is easily adapted to reader’s theater enactment, and a free script can be found on her web site, www.indiangappress.com. The setting for the story is the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Her second book, Bully Goat to the Rescue, is available for $5.99. This story is best for third through fifth grade readers. Children learn about bullying, hiking and rescue best-practices, as well as 4-H Clubs of America. Dr. Mervar offers free writing workshops to area school children. By involving students in the writing process, students learn the importance of revision and see the Six Traits of Writing curriculum applied to real writing. Nana’s Silly Goats was written with the assistance of students in grades 1-3 of Whittier Elementary International Baccalaureate School in Boulder, CO. Bully Goat to the Rescue was written with the assistance of more than 200 students in grades 3-5. Dr. Mervar is a retired teacher and principal who worked in public and private schools in Colorado for her >30 year career. Dr. Mervar earned her B.S. degree from State University of New York - Geneseo (1972), and completed advanced degrees (M.S. CU-Boulder, 1974; Ph.D. University of Denver, 1985) after moving to Colorado nearly 40 years ago. Her professional life included working with children with special learning needs and their families. She also enjoyed classroom teaching, and administrative roles in both regular and special education. Dr. Mervar currently lives on a small ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Lyons, CO, where she and her husband raise goats and golden retrievers. She has always loved books, animals, farm life, and teaching. Her family participated in 4-H activities and she continues to support this opportunity for young people to learn about science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. After retiring, Dr. Mervar realized her dream of writing children’s books. She currently is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators) and CIPA (Colorado Independent Publishers Association) as well as CASE (Colorado Association of School Executives).