Life's a real zoo at Legacy Farms, where 14 chickens, a couple of dogs and an assortment of horses with diverse temperaments learn to share their days on the sprawling homestead.

 

Based on the true life adventures of author Melissa Taylor's charming chickens, A Runtamuffin Tale is a delightful new children's book that follows the life of Runtamuffin — or Runti — a tiny chicken with a big personality. Runti becomes the first chicken brave enough to form a bond with one of the farm's largest inhabitants — a beautiful horse named Mariett.

All the animals on the farm soon learn that differences in size and outward appearances don't mean a thing in this colorful tale that subtly interweaves valuable life lessons on sharing, believing in yourself, love, friendship, anti-bullying and mutual respect.

 

The 57-page book, wonderfully illustrated by Marc Beauregard, targets children ages 6 to 12 and would make a treasured addition to any family's home or elementary school library.

 

 

Author Melissa Taylor was born and raised in the small town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Melissa's mom filled her childhood home with animals, which cultivated Melissa's love and desire to surround herself with all types of four- and two-legged creatures. She currently lives, owns and runs a farm with her husband in South Florida with 14 chickens, 34 horses, 5 dogs and a cockatiel.

 

 

 

For more information about Melissa and her children's book, please visit: www.runtavision.com.

 

Excerpt from Kirkus Review: "Whatever their temporary differences, the farm is a little family where everyone has fun. In her debut, Taylor provides warm scenarios of friendship, growing trust, and simple pleasures, such as splashing in puddles.”

Excerpt from The Portsmouth Review: "A Runtamuffin Tale is a children's book that showcases a bucolic farm life and relationships between animals with an anthropomorphic flair. Semi-centered on a tiny hen called Runtamuffin ("Runti”), author Melissa Taylor based the story on the adventures of her real-life chickens on the farm. … A Runtamuffin Tale is a sweet and simple story filled with lessons on friendship and the different worlds we can live when a new friendship is cultivated.”

 

Runtamuffin Tale is available in hardcover and digital format.