New children’s book shares lessons on purpose and confidence through farm life
A new children’s book titled Little Tractor Brown focuses on helping children understand important values such as self-worth identity and purpose. Written by Jolene Pisel along with Terry Stearns, the book is a rhyming story set on an Iowa farm and is inspired by real life farming experiences.
The story follows a small brown tractor that feels different and less capable when compared to larger and newer tractors. The tractor wishes it looked and worked like the others and struggles with feelings of inadequacy. When the tractor is brought to a working farm owned by Farmer Frank, its journey begins in a meaningful way.
As the story moves forward, the small tractor starts helping with daily farm chores. It soon learns that its size and abilities are not weaknesses. Instead, these qualities make it especially useful for certain jobs on the farm. Through these experiences, the tractor discovers that it has an important role and purpose.
"I hope to help children understand that they are wonderfully and perfectly made," said Pisel. "They have tremendous value exactly as they have been made. They don't need different attributes to be acceptable."
The book includes simple and realistic descriptions of farm life, machinery, and animals. These details are drawn from the author’s own years of living and working on a farm with her family. The character Farmer Frank is inspired by Pisel’s husband, Kirk, and also honors her late father, who was a farmer.
According to the author, the goal of the story is to help children understand that they are valuable just as they are. The book encourages young readers to avoid comparing themselves with others and to recognize their unique strengths. It also highlights the importance of encouragement of friendship and kindness.
Little Tractor Brown is written in an easy language that young readers can understand. It serves as a gentle reminder that everyone has a role to play, and that confidence often grows through everyday efforts and self-belief.