Dear Sótí, Love Glytja chapter book

From the herd

"I loved it. Found it so uplifting and was sorry to read the last page."

Kathleen, Wakefield RI

Hi. I'm Glytja.

I'm the Boss Mare at HestaRokk Farm, which is basically a slice of Iceland that accidentally landed in Wisconsin. I run a tight but loving herd, I know everyone's business, and yes, I have opinions.

In this book, I'm inviting you into our world.

You'll meet the herd (six hearts, one complicated family), hear about the night my life changed forever, and learn how I became the leader everyone looks to when things get hard. You'll cry a little in Dear Sótí, It's Not Goodbye. Don't worry, I did too. And you'll laugh when a shy, freckle-nosed horse from Iceland shows up with big stories, bigger feelings, and very distracting Blue Lagoon eyes.

There is love.
There is loss.
There is tölt. (So much tölt.)

I'll tell you what it's really like to grow up Icelandic, why we get along so well, why we don't freeze in winter, and why, listen carefully, you should not buy an Icelandic yearling unless you're ready for a lifetime commitment and opinions.

Along the way, you'll meet Yule-Lad suspects, long-lost legends, and Fróði (who deserves his own warning label). You'll learn farm life, herd life, and life-life. Straight from someone who walks the walk on four very sturdy legs.

This isn't just a horse book.

It's a story about family, belonging, and finding your place even when it takes you halfway across the world to do it.

So come on in.
The gate's open.
The herd's waiting.

And don't worry, I'll tell you everything.

101 pages, Paperback.

Table of Contents

1. Meet the Herd: A Slice of Iceland in Wisconsin
2. Nervous But Ready to Tell My Story
3. Boss Mare: The Heart and Soul of the Herd
4. Dear Sótí, It's Not Goodbye
5. The Night My Life Changed
6. Finding My Place in the World
7. My Sister is the Stjar
8. Where Do I Tölt from Here?
9. Love at First Neigh
10. From Iceland, With Love
11. Is He a Yule Lad?
12. Mr. Blue Lagoon Eyes
13. Six Hearts, One Fight
14. Enter Fróði
15. Our Farm
16. Proudly Icelandic
17. From My Hoofprints to Your Heart
18. Why Do Icelandic Horses Get Along So Well?
19. Don't Buy an Icelandic Yearling!
20. Life Lessons from an Icelandic Horse
21. Why Can't We Go Back to Iceland?
22. What Are the Gaits of the Icelandic Horse?
23. Why We Don't Get Cold in Winter
24. Boss Mare Advice: Read This Before You Lead
25. Icelandic Horse History: Vikings on Hooves
26. 10 Amazing Things About Icelandic Horses: Fun, Fluff, and Facts

More reviews

"This book is such an engaging, fun and funny well-written read, but you just might want to keep a Kleenex or two nearby as well. The stories are told from the perspective of the Boss Mare herself, a beautiful Icelandic horse named Glytja. You may already know her from the popular Facebook page IamGlytja. If you haven't yet, you'll want to check out those posts too! Glytja and her herd/family of 5 Icelandic horses live on a farm in Wisconsin with The Mom (author Robin) and The Dad (Robin's husband Wil). This book is full of cool information about this historic and unique breed. Please read this gem, you'll thank me later! It has heart…and it has MY heart!"

"This is a lovely and informative book about the Icelandic horse breed, and a small herd now living in Wisconsin. The 'Boss Mare,' Glytja, tells the story of the Icelandic breed and how her herd came together in Wisconsin. There are adorable photographs of the horses, as well as philosophical musings from 'the mom' and 'the dad.' These wonderful horses have been through difficult times, as have their parents, but have managed to stay strong and support each other through it all. A delightful book!"

"Wonderfully written and profound, funny, educational. I bought copies to give to my horse friends. Highly recommend."

"GREAT book! Enjoyed every page!!"

"I have this, I absolutely love it, but be prepared, you will laugh, and cry!"