In looking through my library - I came upon the book, Mountain Born.  A lovely book by Elizabeth Yates that we read back in 2001.  It sticks in my mind because it was one of the first read-aloud books that choked me up.  The kids kept saying, "mommy why are you crying".  And I really don't remember why, except it is such a sweet and pure story the touched me deep. 

The back of the book reads, "Wolves, weather, a black lamb, a trusty dog-all are part of Peter's life on a mountain farm.  His best friend is Benj, a wise old shepherd and Benj teaches him to care for the sprightly lamp that becomes his own special pet, his cosset.  As Biddy grows into her place as leader of the flock, Peter grows too, learning the skills and joys of the shepherd's life."

Being a mountain girl myself, the life Peter lives struck a chord - although I could only hope to lead such a simple life.  And Benj the Shepherd is wise - as David was perhaps, walking close to Jesus.  These two characters drew us in and I became very attached to little Peter.  I appreciated that he had to face life's harsh realities and how he did so bravely and without complaining.  Something, I hope to instill in my own boys.  He cared for nature and God's creation but did not worship it. 

The book is full of little gems such as this, "A man must have a care to what he puts in his mind, for when he's alone on a hillside and draws it out, he'll want treasures to be his company, not regrets."

I highly recommend this book - we read it when my oldest child was 7 and she remembers it still today.

It would be an excellent book as part of a study about David and the Psalms or a unit study about sheep and shepherding - or a nice snuggle book in the evenings before bed.  Written with the stuff of good dreams!