Polly and Her Duck Costume tells the true story of Polly, a little blind goat who was rescued by Leanne Lauricella, rescuer of farmyard animals and founder of the immensely popular Instagram account The Goats of Anarchy. Polly has some trouble adapting to her new life until her new mom gives her a warm and fuzzy duck costume, which turns out to be the perfect fit!
Over a year ago, Polly was born to a mother who rejected her due to her blindness (mother goats sometimes reject babies who do not seem like they will survive). Leanne Lauricella at Goats of Anarchy rescued Polly, at just a few days old, when she heard that sweet little baby goat was not getting the care that she needed. Polly was underweight from malnourishment, suffered anxiety whenever left alone, and did not interact with the other goats. Polly would often follow Leanne’s voice around the farmhouse, bleating to be held and cuddled. Laurciella found that wrapping Polly in blankets would help the anxiety, but the blankets would fall off whenever Polly got up for food or water. And that’s when Leanne thought to try putting a cuddly duck costume on Polly…and Polly loved it! It’s Lauricella’s goat mama attentiveness and personal care that has allowed Polly to flourish to the point of overcoming the anxiety and struggles of her disability and become an active and social part of the Goats of Anarchy family. Polly now lives happily outside in the baby barn and eats, plays, and explores with her goat friends.
Check out the adorable book promo clip for Polly and Her Duck Costume below!
Leanne Laurciella knew nothing about animal sanctuaries when she left New York City for the wilds of New Jersey in 2011. She started her Instagram account, @goatsofanarchy, shortly after getting her first two goats, Jax and Opie. Over 500,000 followers and one Webby Award later, Leanne’s Instagram has turned into a non-profit organization that?continues to provide special-needs goats a happy and loving forever home. Today, Leanne somehow finds time to write while caring for her goat family,?and has written a coffee table book, children’s books, and calendars about everyday life at her sanctuary.
Polly and Her Duck Costume is picture book perfection. You have a sweet story that is based off a real live cute animal and then you have adorable illustrations to bring the story to life. At the end of the book you even get to see real photographs of Polly and Leanne. After reading this story we had to become fans of her Instagram account! You can get your copy conveniently on Amazon. This picture book encourages kids to be brave, try new things and be a good friend despite differences.
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