The bus from Brayton Elementary School in North Adams, Mass. pulled up around 10:30, Lisa Tanner, one of the very dedicated teachers there, had read “Saving Simon” to the class, and she said the story had captured their attention and imagination more than any other thing this year. She urged me to let her bring the class, I hesitated a bit – 50 kids her on the farm? – but Maria and I both loved the idea, and we are so grateful they came. These were great kids, smart, polite, interested, fun.

After they saw the animals, I pulled up a chair and we talked about Simon, abuse, the importance of animals, and the real meaning of compassion. I think I never had a more attentive audience. I am grateful they came, I hope they came back. It was humbling and wonderful. Kids need animals in their lives, and so do adults. Glad they come to see ours.