Sammy's Shelter Project - Children's Book assisting humane organizations!

I don't often do book reviews, but when Tracy Ahrens approached me to talk about her children's book Sammy Sparrow's First Flight, I was intrigued by the premise and the project behind it. I received my copy and read it there and then - well, to be fair, I delegated to The Staff Person! She says "it is well presented, beautifully illustrated and the sentiment within the story resonates. I think parents with young children who are just learning to read will love it!" 

Background to the project:

Tracy says: Over 20 years ago artwork for a children’s story, “Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight” was born. I was on holiday break from college and sat on the floor in my bedroom using chalks to free images for the story that lived in my mind. The images have been tucked away in a scrapbook album until now. “Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight” (ages 2-8) was released Dec. 25, 2014 by Guardian Angel Publishing. It is my third children’s book.  

In conjunction with the book, I have created the Sammy Shelter Project to help NINE area humane organizations with the book sales. By ordering through the project website, $2 Grassroots Animal Rescue (Medinah, Il.), from each book purchase will be donated to the organization chosen and noted on the form. Use this link to visit that page where you will see the current humane organizations set to benefit.


This Saturday 4th April I am at an event for River Valley Animal Rescue and will sell my books. ALL proceeds at that event will go to RVAR. My goal is to sell at least 10.

On April 26 I'll be at Illinois Horse Rescue for National Help a Horse Day events and I'll sell the book there. ALL proceeds at that event go to IHR

About the book:

In “Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight,” a young sparrow named Sammy quickly learns why

parents set rules. He was told not to fly alone at night. His wings are weak and Sammy falls into a bush below. The world looks scary from the ground. A friendly owl flies Sammy back home to sleep under his parents’ wings.

The story is based on my childhood years of rescuing baby sparrows that fell out of a multi-room birdhouse high up on a pole in a neighbor’s backyard. Initially I went to college to be a veterinarian and changed my major to English. I continue to help creatures with the written word, my art and volunteering for humane organizations. It’s only fitting that I finally let Sammy fly with a mission to help area humane organizations I have grown to know and volunteer with.

You can also find information about the project on Facebook under Sammy Shelter Project.

Otherwise, “Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight” can be ordered in eBook form ($5) and print form ($9.95 + $5.95) through Guardian Angel Publishing. It can also be ordered in print form through a variety of other book order sites such as www.barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com and Amazon UK. To donate to a participating rescue organization, you must use the form available for download from the Sammy Shelter Project website.

Book & Author Facts:

Tracy is the author of six books, two that are designated to help humane organizations. She is a 20-plus-year veteran journalist and editor. 

She is also an artist who has donated pet portraits for charity events to benefit humane organizations. One portrait is on permanent display at the Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation cat museum in Alliance, Ohio and another is displayed in the House Rabbit Society's Rabbit Center in Richmond, Calif.

Tracy is the parent of three cats (Joan of Arc and Jack Sparrow who were found as kittens, and Forest who was adopted at age 4 months) and one dog (Trucker who was adopted at age 5).

Author Contact Information:

Tracy Ahrens, Momence, Il. 815-472-0038 mylittleforie@yahoo.com

Tracy is a founding member of B.A.R.K (in 2000) and a founding member of the Kankakee County Animal Foundation which merged with the Kankakee County Humane Society (in 2010) and was renamed Kankakee County Humane Foundation.

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ONE TIME OFFER!

Austin says: I will send my copy to someone (in the UK only) who leaves a comment here before midday Monday 6th April. If you have young children in the family it will make a super gift!

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