Children are the Future Leaders of World Compassion

Although I do not have children, I worked with children ages four to twelve at a private day school in the 1990s. Because of this enlightening experience, I developed the utmost respect for children. My students taught me an ever-lasting, priceless lesson.

Children are very astute. They are extremely perceptive and highly aware of the world around them. Kids are open-minded, observant, highly curious, and love to ask questions.

When children ask questions, we adults are their guiding light. Teachers, parents, and older siblings can all play a positive role and provide guidance in the development of young children. In addition to teaching children facts, we possess the tools to teach children kindness, understanding, love, and compassion for all sentient animals.

Reading is one of the best tools to teach compassion for animals.

In October 2024, the world’s leading animal rights organization, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) published their first children’s picture book, Harvey and the Lightning Herd by Helga Tacreiter and PETA.

Helga Tacreiter is the Founder of The Cow Sanctuary in Bridgeton, New Jersey. In 2022, Tacreiter won PETA’s 7th Annual Gregory J. Reiter Animal Rescue Award for dedicating more than 30 years of her life to rescuing cows and other farmed animals.

The picture book is breathtakingly illustrated by Denise V. Tremblay. Tremblay’s smooth, gentle, and charming artistry successfully balances the story.

The story is based on Tacreiter’s personal journey of love, sadness, determination, resilience, and supreme accomplishment. The book, 36 pages long for children ages 4 to 7, is a soul stirring life lesson for children - and adults.

The storytelling is written both cleanly and clearly. Empathy and the gentle ebb and flow of emotion will encourage questions and stimulate enthusiasm.

Another brilliant tool used to teach compassion for animals is music.

A QR code on the back cover of Harvey and the Lightning Herd links to “Cow Wow,” an original song by Tony Award–winning composers Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. The two-minute animated video and song are magnificently produced.

The book, illustrations, and song with video, is a supreme combination that will engage, inspire, and lead the entire family on an enlightened path of compassion for animals. Helga and Harvey’s compassionate story of togetherness, adversity, and bravery ignite the spirit. Harvey and the Lightning Herd is a testament to our bond and oneness with animals.

All proceeds from the sale of Harvey and the Lightning Herd go directly to The Cow Sanctuary:

* Visit The Cow Sanctuary website.

* Purchase Harvey and the Lightning Herd and the Plush Cow on The PETA shop.

* Visit TeachKind, PETA’s humane education division. Former classroom teachers help schools, educators, and parents promote compassion for animals through free lessons, virtual classroom presentations, advice, online materials, and more.

* Kids can learn more on their own at PETA Kids. Don’t forget: there is PETA Kids for Parents!

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