“Rudder” is a large, gregarious golden retriever puppy who likes to put his considerable energy into making new friends.
The first book in the series, Rudder and the Great Blue Heron details his lively interactions with people and animals on a Maine island.
Rudder meets seals, a porcupine, cows, ducklings, loons, and finally the Great Blue Heron. In every encounter, Rudder finds a common thread that makes friendship possible. The theme of the book is intended to teach children the possibility of friendship in everyone they meet no matter their differences.
Rudder and the Great Blue Heron, the first in the series called Rudder and Friends is coming soon to bookstores near you!
AUTHOR
Steve Westra has volunteered for many years in a classroom and as a tutor teaching English as a Second Language to refugees and asylum seekers from Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Far from a “second language”, English is often the fifth or sixth language to be learned by these students. He is grateful for all he learns about the common ties of humanity from students who persevere over great obstacles to be vital contributors to our community. Steve lives on Chebeague Island, ME with his wife Beth. Their children Katie and Peter have flown the coop. Granddaughter Ceci joyfully rings in the next generation.
“Rudder” Illustration by Anne Ryan
Excerpt from Rudder and the Great Blue Heron
Rudder never misses a chance to swim after the loons, the ducks, and their ducklings when he spots them from the beach. As he gets closer, they always fly a bit further ahead and Rudder continues to follow them until he is quite far from the beach.
I yell several times, “Rudder, come, you are too far out.” Eventually, he listens after the ducks have flown ahead several times and he swims back to the beach quite tired.
Rudder asks me, “Are they my friends?”
“Yes Rudder, they are your friends, but they love to fly as much as you love to swim.”