Tracy Michael Shrader Tess and Gabby Jo

Annotation

Tess considers herself to be a so-average sheep. Her best friend, Gabby Jo, is a not-so-average goat. Through the years of their friendship, they have embraced their differing personalities. Tess craves peace and quiet and can be anxious, but is braver than she knows. Gabby Jo starts in a panic and escalates. She has things to do and places to go. In the midst of their adventures, a colorful cast of animal characters, including a wise mama sheep, a sassy old goat, a pig who thinks he's French, a retired workhorse, a laid-back donkey, and a germophobic cow, surrounds them. Tess and Gabby Jo remember the shaky beginning of their friendship. They weave their way through a hurtful first encounter, begin to learn empathy, and choose kindness and trust when these aren't easy choices. If you or someone you know occasionally struggles with sadness like Gabby Jo or anxiety like Tess, don't forget about hope and love. Remember that forgiveness and trying again might just lead to the kind of friendship that is encouraging and meaningful-truest friendship.