Buckley the Highland Cow and Ralphy the Goat: A True Story about Kindness, Friendship, and Being Yourself

Follow this charming true story of Buckley, an orphaned cow, and his best friend Ralphy, along their journey to overcome barnyard bullying and loneliness, and discover the power of resilience, diverse friendships, and loving who you are!

When a baby highland cow named Buckley suddenly finds himself all alone at a brand-new farm with no other cows, surrounded by unfamiliar, unfriendly faces, he isn’t sure what to do.

However, friends come from unlikely places! Ralphy, a rambunctious goat, decides to take Buckley under his wing. Ralphy and Buckley are different in every way, but despite this they become fast friends. Buckley soon learns that a loving, supportive farmyard family can come in all shapes and sizes.

With adorable photographs of Insta-famous Buckley (@buckleythehighlandcow) and beautiful illustrations, this unforgettable real-life story of childhood resilience will inspire kids of all ages to overcome tough social situations and thrive.

Leslie Ackerman is the (human) mom of Buckley the Highland Cow and Ralphy the Mini Nubian Goat, Buckley’s best friend. All three live on a farm in Shingle Springs, California.

Renee M. Rutledge's stories and articles about family, parenting, and the meaning of home have been widely published. She dedicated her award-winning novel, The Hour of Daydreams—a reimagined Filipino folk tale—to her daughters, Maya and Raina. Renee lives with her familyin the San Francisco Bay Area, where they love to hike and explore. Connect with her on Instagram @renee_rutledge or find her at ReneeRutledge.com.