Little Red: And His Friends in the Yard

By Norma Doremire

SYNOPSIS:

Little Red is a squirrel of the little red species. When we meet him, he is lost. He has looked for his family and the nest where he lived, but has not been able to find them. He has just arrived in The Yard.

The story ends one year later a whole generation in the life of the squirrel and we finds that we have come full circle as Reds son, Chuck, is lost and cannot be found. But, after much searching, thought, and grief, we come to understand as Red explains to the Friends in The Yard. Thats the way with little red squirrels.

But, during that year, we share many exiting adventures as Little Red makes a new home and meets and interacts with all the Friends in the yard, especially Grey Squirrel, Woodchuck, The Doves, Blue Jays, Little Lady, and, even, the evil Weasel. We follow Red through the tall trees, along the wires, and we enjoy the fun games in Woodchucks tunnels. We see Reds caring and thoughtful nature when Little Lady is hurt, and, again, when Chuck and Woody are born. The reader will identify with Red and with his friends in The Yard.

We laugh at, and with, this feisty and lovable little red squirrel as he zips through life in The Yard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 9, 2009
• ISBN: 9781477166635

Norma Doremire

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Norma Doremire is retired from teaching high school English and Speech, and counseling. Living in Lafayette, Indiana, she and husband John have become avid fans of Purdue Boilermaker basketball. She enjoys activities with church, family and friends, and hobbies such as reading, cooking, landscaping, and playing games bridge and uchre. EDUCATION: High School, Coulterville, IL Valparaiso Univ., Valparaiso, IN Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN B. A. English, History Education M. S. English, Guidance & Counseling Univ. of Oxford, Oxford, England Certificate in English & History Institute of Children’s Literature By correspondence Certificate PUBLISHING: local newspaper guest columns CAREER EXPERIENCE: Twin Lakes School Corp., Monticello IN Teaching secondary English and Speech Frontier School Corp., Brookston, Indiana Teaching secondary English and Speech Carroll High School, Flora, Indiana Contracted one semester to help-out Elective Curriculum Along with White County, IN Prosecutor, School Superintendent, and Catholic Priest, helped form the White County Youth Service Bureau. Served as Co-Director and Youth Counselor.

Book preview

Copyright © 2009 by Norma Doremire.

Text and illustration copyright C TXul-259-124 2005

by Norma Doremire

Library of Congress Control Number:       2008911893

ISBN:         Hardcover                         978-1-4363-9762-9

                   Softcover                          978-1-4363-9761-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

55012

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1  Little Red Finds A New Home

Chapter 2  The Doves

Chapter 3  The Large Gray Squirrel

Chapter 4  The Feederpost

Chapter 5  Woodchuck

Chapter 6  The Tunnels

Chapter 7  The Weasel

Chapter 8  Little Lady

Chapter 9  Getting Ready For Winter

Chapter 10  Woodchuck Retires For The Winter

Chapter 11  Time For Fun

Chapter 12  Suddenly, Winter

Chapter 13  Spring Is Just Around The Corner

Chapter 14  The Babes

Chapter 15  Chuck And Woody

Chapter 16  Chuck And Woody Grow Up

Chapter 17  Chuck Gets Himself Lost!

Chapter 18  That’s The Way With Little Red Squirrels

I dedicate this book

to

my daughter Catherine LaFara

who has taught me much

about nature.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank all who encouraged, helped and inspired me to write this book. Especially helpful were the following:

My daughter, Catherine LaFara, who drew the illustrations,

for her art, her encouragement, and her love of the story.

Amber Neth and Marcia Rhodes, each six years old,

my first listeners—and they commented!

Chuck and Mary Jo Grayson for a wonderful,

text-changing comment.

Harold Doremire and Dr. Jack Snellgrove for reading and applauding

what I wished to convey in the story.

My grandson, Clay, his second grade teacher, Mrs. Kitchen, and classmates,

who invited me to read the story. Their questions and enthusiasm

inspired me to consider publishing it.

Jan O, Shea, retired editor, for reading, editing and approving

the informational quality of the manuscript.

Dr. Richard Ellsworth for reading and approving the courtship of

Red and Little Lady, Chp. 8, and the birth of the Babes, Chp. 14.

Ron Grimsley for his great technical support for both the computer

and the internet.

REVIEWS OF BOOK:

Little Red and His Friends in The Yard

By Norma Doremire

In LITTLE RED, Norma Doremire had created a gentle nature story that provides us with information about the habitat, food, games, and friends of a squirrel who is curious, proud, self-reliant, sensible, and friendly. His friendly adventures parallel those we experience as we mature and establish our independence and develop lasting relationships—the classic story of the circle of life.

Janice E. O’Shea

Writer and Former Managing Editor for the Caylor-Nickel Medical Center

LITTLE RED is a wonderful book which I have found inspiring. It is a story for children and adults alike. This story is especially helpful for anyone going through a major life change such as parents sending a child off to college, or watching their child grow in different stages of life. Norma Doremire has done a beautiful job of blending both education and the beauty of nature to touch and inspire the reader.

Rev. Nancy Eberhard, Asst. Minister. First Christian, Lafayette, IN

Your sensitive portrayal of life’s cycle through Little Red is poetic. Thanks for letting me share in your story. I will look forward to having an autographed copy when it is published.

Agape, Dr. Jack Snellgrove

Senior Minister, Chattahaachee Christian Church, Duluth, GA

Delightful. Uplifting. Wholesome. Makes you look at the bright, adventurous, simple side of life and say, Thank you, Lord! Little Red is excellently developed. We enjoyed every character—they are a lot of fun! Thank you for sharing it.

Wes Tillet

Youth Minister, First Christian Church DOC, Lafayette IN

Little Red and his friends are believable. The behavior of the backyard animals is what we would choose for everyone. Prevalent throughout is the idea that these backyard creatures are meant to be treasured; even the weasel has a place and purpose. Thank you, Norma.

Harold Wayne Doremire

Conference Director, Retired, Purdue Univ. Agriculture Extension

Norma Doremire has listened to the call of her heart to share the life and activities of Little Red, a resident of her backyard. This story is full of life’s experiences which make the reader recall his life; youth through adult. All ages will appreciate this story.

Dr. Richard Ellsworth, Lafayette IN

I loved the story about Little Red. It is so heart-warming how