critterstory & critterstory2:
children’s animal picture books
about the author:
when niki was 7 years old she wrote a song about wanting a horse, which is the first poem in critterstory. niki has been singing “i want a horse” song to friends and children ever since (especially when she sees a palomino).
special thanks to musician ben winship of victor, idaho for writing the musical score to match the lyrics of “i want a horse” song in critterstory for children to learn! as a result, it is available in the first poem of critterstory.
enjoy listening to our recording of critterstory’s “I want a horse” song featuring a favorite mccall, idaho local musician bob burns (singing and playing the mandolin) and his daughter keelee (singing). thanks bob and keelee!
when niki was 10 years old her teacher had students write a poem for class. “beulah” was niki’s dog at the time. as a result, “beulah the beautiful basset hound” poem came from that assignment (the second poem in critterstory).
half a century later, janet (illustrator of critterstory) learned of “i want a horse” song and “beulah the beautiful basset hound” poem while on hikes with niki in their mccall, idaho home. they laughed while they sang “i want a horse”. janet imagined colorful watercolor illustrations of a golden palomino and a happy basset hound named beulah running with stilts through the snow (can a dog wear stilts?). … and so their first book critterstory was launched in 2018…
What’s YOUR critterstory?
to learn more about the illustrator, Janet Murphy visit: 
