Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit
by Joan Carris (Author), Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator)
Last week, the boys and I finished this book and it's two sequels (Magic at the Bed and Biscuit, Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit).
All three books are set at the "Bed and Biscuit", a farm and boarding house for animals, run by veterinarian Grampa (Adam) Bender.
Grampa Bender has cows, a horse, llamas, a rooster named Rory and chickens, boarders - dogs, cats and birds. In the third book, Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit, he hosts injured wild animals that are normally housed at the local wildlife shelter (while the shelter builds new pens).
Grampa Bender has several assistants: Ernest, the mini-pig, who loves showering in his outdoor shower, built especially for him. Gabby, the mynah bird, who makes phone calls and can mimic anyone and anything; Milly, an orange tabby cat, mouse catcher extraordinaire and Sir Walter Scott, a rescued scottie dog.
In the stories, the animals are able to communicate with each other. The stories examine feelings; for example: jealousy (following the arrival of a new pet), and anger (poor treatment by a rascally magic chicken named Malicia). They demonstrate the animals working together to solve problems as well.
At the end of each book, the author explains a little bit about the different creatures that participate in the stories.
A wonderful series, available at the Napa County Library!
