By Linda White
It is difficult not to smile, tap your foot, or sing along when you meet the group of cows who love to laugh, sing, and dance created by Jim Petipas. The Cows Go Moo! is a colorful, light-hearted, visually busy board book, and a humorous romp for children. These are not ordinary cows confined to the barnyard. These are cows with an exciting lifestyle who have the privilege of going moo in a wide variety of locations and settings.
The Cows Go Moo! is the first foray into writing, illustrating, and publishing for Petipas. Following a long career as a youth counselor and youth pastor, Petipas was prompted by his daughters, Olivia and Sophia, to share a story and song he created as a teenager for a skit when he was at summer camp. Petipas has always enjoyed making and sharing music both as a drummer and a guitar player in a blues/rock band. Sketching and drawing were interests he developed in childhood. “Creating The Cows Go Moo! brought together so many of my interests and skills. It allowed me a venue to share joy, laughter, fun, quality time with kids, and a new opportunity to do something that matters.”
Petipas has a strong desire to give back and show gratitude for his many blessings. Buy-A-Book! Give-A-Cow! is designed to meet that goal. To that end, he has partnered with Heifer International, a program that provides cows for children and families living in poverty around the globe. “We enthusiastically donate 10 percent of our profits towards providing these life-saving cows to enable people to start their own cow milking businesses and provide for their needs.”
Petipas spent dedicated time to educate himself on the process of taking his initial idea through the various stages of storyboard, design, illustration, materials, etc. to publication. He has been an active and visible advocate to promote and market his book. His outgoing personality and love of working with and performing for people of all ages to bring a smile and a sense of joy have been key elements to his marketing effort. Petipas is quick to share his song The Cows Go Moo! with an audience and encourage spirited participation.
A second book, The Cows Go Moo Shuffle, is in progress. Although he has a full travel schedule for the summer, Petipas has selected Fellowship of the Suffering by Paul Borthwick and many books for children for his travel/summer reading bag.
The Cows Go Moo! is available at The Bedford Library, local bookstores, Amazon and through www.thecowsgomoo.com. The website also offers several interactive activities and games for children as well as an opportunity to listen to and moo along with the song.
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