Tuesday, January 26, 2016

CRITTER TALES BOOK REVIEW

I had the pleasure of reading another book from a fellow blogger.  Many of you know Leigh Tate from her blog 5 Acres and a Dream where she is chronicling their journey.  If you don't know her, well then get on over there and check it out!  In 2014, she released her first book, which I reviewed HERE.

Now she is back (not that she ever went anywhere, ha) with a new book that is just as wonderfully informative as the first one.  It's called "Critter Tales".  A book that covers everything you might want to know (or were afraid to ask) about having animals/livestock on your homestead.  From dogs and cats, to chickens and guineas, to llamas and goats, even honeybees!  The book is well over 300 hundred pages long and chock full of photos and resources.


This covers it all.  In fact you might say the good, the bad and the ugly.  We all know in our hearts that we want animals and livestock on our homesteads and farms but we also know, somewhere in the back of our heads, that it's not going to be as easy as it looks or sounds.  But she and her husband have been through it all, from first getting them and figuring out where to put them, to what to feed them, to what happens during illness and yes, even the end of life...and in this book, she covers all of that.  Since each section (covering different animals) ends with a description from Leigh about how the particular animal you just read about fits into their self sufficiency goals for their homestead, it really helps us to piece together the puzzle of how we are all, animals included, connected.




Will we make mistakes when any of us get animals for our farms/homes?  Sure.  Does this book mean we won't have to experience what she has?  Of course not.  There will be loss, there will be trials, and there will be tribulations.  But as you learn from Leigh, there will be many more moments of joy and hope and satisfaction.  Animals, as she so eloquently reminds us in each section, have minds and personalities of their own.  They don't follow what every book says, what the vet says, what the 'expert' says, but with Leigh's shared experience, you just might at least be prepared for the inevitable missing animal, sick animal, predator, surprise birth, etc that can happen.  You'll also fall in love with many of her animals, especially the dogs and cats.

Click here to visit her blog
So grab a copy of the book, it's both a reference manual and a personal story in one engaging book.  It would make a great gift for your own reading list or for someone on your gift list.  It's both hopeful and realistic, both uplifting and informative.

Here is the Amazon link:

Critter Tales: What my homestead critters have taught me about themselves, their world, and how to be a part of it


This link to the publishing company has all the online places where the book is available:


Just like her last book, we will use this one as a very valuable addition to our permanent collection of homesteading books.  It's a must have for sure.  We still hope that someday, when our farm grows up, it will be as awesome as hers.

Thanks, once again, for sharing your journey and knowledge with us Leigh!



18 comments:

  1. Leigh is amazing!! Love her blog (and yours ha)

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    1. Well thank you for that, I'm sure she will read this as well. She does have a great blog!

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  2. Ditto for Leigh's journey I've learned SO. Much from her. DC

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    1. Yes, she's so wonderful to share everything they've been through. Thanks!!

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  3. Thanks I have her last book looking forward to this!!

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    1. Hello Mike, haven't seen you in awhile, nice to see you. Yes, her last book is a wonderful resource for sure.

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  4. thats amazing!!sounds wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, it was a great read...makes us want livestock...

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  5. Thanks for the link. Eventually when we settle at the lake I want chickens and a couple of goats. I am definitely going to read this!

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    1. yes, chickens here for us too (when we get settled), and maybe goats too!! This will be a great resource for sure...

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  6. Very good book review. Looks like a wonderful book!

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  7. I love to be with animal.These books would be useful for me. Thank you for sharing link. I'm gonna read both these books.

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    1. I hope you do, she writes in a very engaging style and packs it with information. Hope you enjoy!

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  8. Very nice to see a review of Leigh's new book! We've been blogger-friends for years, she's an excellent writer, and I can relate to just about every adventure she and Dan share in their striving for self-sufficient small farming.

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    1. Isn't she wonderful? They have taught us so much and we've barely scratched the surface. She's also a very kind soul!

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