"Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts" by Rene Townsend

Greetings, readers! As one of the final posts here on the blog, I am pleased to share another oldie but goodie from the archives about a dear friend and her unique book.

We can all do with an extra dose of kindness these days, right? I happen to know a writer who dispenses just that in her book, Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer and Edward. O’Bark Press, 2019. It’s a tender story accompanied by lovely illustrations.

The author, Rene Townsend, is one of my dear friends. She wrote the story primarily for ages 7 – 12, but you’ll find that it’s appropriate for any age. Think about making it a holiday or birthday gift for the kids and grandkids in your life.

Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts

“Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts is entertaining and heartwarming, celebrating the positive connection between animals and humans. In an engaging way, the miniature horses’ adventures will bring you into their story and help you realize you are not alone. Working in animal welfare for over 50 years, I was touched by the animal-human bonds portrayed.” ~ Michael Arms, President/CEO, Helen Woodward Animal Center.

“The days Rootbeer and Edward, two miniature horses, visited our school campus were special for students and staff. On these days our “toughest” students revealed a tender side they rarely showed others. Why? Simply because Rootbeer and Edward have a magical way with people of all ages, endearing them to all of us and making our day brighter.” ~ Chuck Hoover, Principal, Murray High School.

Rene the author

From the book’s cover:

Rene was a schoolteacher, principal, district superintendent, university lecturer, partner in a superintendent search firm, and education outreach director for Central America through a San Diego charity. Her passion for education continues with this book about the adventures of Rootbeer & Edward, smile ambassadors who live a life of learning, playing and serving others and who, every day, make Rene laugh.

Rene my writer friend

I am so fortunate to have Rene Townsend in my life. She’s a dear and talented friend. How did we meet? In 2013 we ended up on the same educational group tour abroad and began our friendship then. Our bond is still going strong today.

Over the years, Rene has generously helped me as a writer who provided a “second set of eyes” on my work, first with Undertow, then for posts I wrote for the Florida Writers Association (FWA) blog about the craft of writing. FWA published one of them every month for three years (2018, 2019, 2020). I was truly honored. Little did I imagine back then that I’d include those writing-focused posts in my second book, From the Porch to the Page: A Guidebook for the Writing Life. New Wings Press. 2022.

Today, Rene and I continue our friendship with weekly Nudge Reports that I email to her. They’re a way to help me be accountable for my writing life to someone other than myself. In them I set weekly goals and track my progress. When I was working on From the Porch, Rene was my “Nudge,” and after I published it, we decided to continue our Nudge correspondence just for fun. It may sound like a chore, but for me it’s a good way to keep track of what I’m doing and make plans for more, since time slips away before we know it, right? The best benefit of all, though, is sharing them with my lovely friend, Rene.

To learn more about this tool for the writing life, I invite you to read the chapter, “Nudge Reports: Making Impossible Dreams Come True,” in my book, From the Porch to the Page.

Rene’s wonderful book

I hope you check out Rene’s lovely book. You’ll have the unique chance to hear her therapy horses speak to you, letting you in on secrets to being a good friend and a kind human, like Rene!

You can get your copy right now at:

Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer and Edward: Townsend, Rene, Dodge, Gina: 9781732266803: Amazon.com: Books

Find me at Blogger

In case you missed it, this blog and my website at https://charleneedge.com will retire next month.

My final post will be September 1st. Here’s the scoop: Breaking Blog: The End is Near | Charlene L. Edge

BUT you can find me writing FREE posts on my other platform Blogger: User Profile: Charlene Lamy Edge

After you click that link, you’ll see two links that take you to my TWO already-existing FREE blogs. With a Gmail account, you can “Follow” those.

“Charlene Edge Speaks about The Way International.™ There I also write about Undertow, Christian fundamentalism, the subject of cults, and related topics. I’ve published more than 40 posts there already. On the left side of the screen, click the Follow button and sign up.
“Charlene Edge Speaks about Writing.” Again, on the left side of that screen, click the Follow button and sign up.

Next week’s post: “S.U.D.S. & G.U.S.”

Thanks for reading!

Your writer on the wing,

Charlene