A Runtamuffin Tale is a charming farm tale about farm owner Lasse, barn girls, fourteen chickens, a very protective dog named Bodo, and a prize-winning horse named Mariett. This hard cover children’s storybook is 57 pages in length. The illustrations by Marc Beauregard, master painter and muralist, add a sense of endearment to the story. The book retails for $21.50.

A Runtamuffin Tale begins when fourteen baby chicks come to live on the farm as a birthday gift for Lasse. The barn girls insist that each chick needs a name. The smallest of the chicks, a small, tiny little speckled brown hen needed an extra special name. They decide to name her Runtamuffin, Runti for short. Runti soon becomes a favorite and gets lots of special attention. The barn girls learn how to build a hen house in order to protect the chickens from invaders such as coyotes, snakes, and raccoons. Bodo the dog soon becomes a loyal watch dog for the chickens. As the chickens grow and are let out to explore the farm they soon discover the horse barn and are very intrigued. Upon further inspection, they met Mariett, a very special horse who tell the chickens fascinating stories about her many travels. Mariett is a show horse. Some of the chicks become jealous and want to be just like Mariett. A big surprise is on the way when Mariett comes home from one of her trips.

My daughter said, “I really enjoyed reading this book. I love animals and “A Runtamuffin Tale” made me wish that I could visit that farm. I would love to meet all of those chickens, especially Runti. I would love to brush Mariett and watch her race.”

This is definitely a book that I would recommend to others. After reading the book it would make a great tie in for visiting a local farm or petting zoo for a field trip. Young children will be drawn to the illustrations as well as the storyline.

- Product review by Jennifer Ladewig, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May, 2018