Keeper of the Gate: The Adventures of the Fox and the Magpie (Hardback or Cased Book)

This colorfully illustrated children's storybook captures a young child's attention while educating them about nature and unique differences between the animals which sends a clear message of kindness and respect while preserving an individual's uniqueness within the parameters of God.

Farley, a young red fox, takes off on an educational adventure when he sees flocks of geese migrating south over his farmland home. He questions if he should be migrating too. On the quest to find out, he befriends a magpie who guides him through the wilderness. On their journey they meet many animals who prepare for the coming winter in a variety of ways. These two memorable characters cross salmon-filled streams, trudge through deep snow, past a snowshoe hare, a hibernating grizzly bear, and finally to a wise old goat. Along the way, the fox and magpie become close friends, and the fox learns that God has made him a unique individual and he can rest in knowing that he does not need to be like everyone else.

The story teaches the values of friendship and accepting the difference in others while leaning on how God created each of us to be unique with a purpose. It is filled with educating nature and adventure written to be read to preschoolers and young children up to 10 years of age. The book is 32 pages, half of them are brilliant colorful watercolor illustrations visually supporting the 16 pages of large font text.

Born and raised in Idaho, Bill has spent much of his life living and working in rural Idaho and Montana. His love of farming and ranching is reflected in both his illustrations and his stories. Bill describes his writing style as outdoor humor with a solid Christian base. Bill recently retired from his "day job" and is now living the dream working as a full-time author/ illustrator and running the homestead.