Based on a true story about an elderly French Canadian named Noelle who drew criticism from the people in her town because she kept a herd of white goats in her yard. The author and her children befriend the woman, and the author paints a series of portraits of her, which end up in a local art museum. The story is told from the point of view of one of the children and is ideal for reading aloud. A winner of the Aspca Henry Bergh Children's Award.

An impoverished Ugandan family begins to flourish after receiving a goat from Heifer International, a nonprofit group working to end global hunger by providing livestock to people in need. As the months pass, the animal provides the family with milk to enjoy and sell and with a pair of kids to sell. With the goat's bounty, the family soon has enough money to send Beatrice to school. Story inspired by actual events.

Reprint of Newberry Honor Book. The stories reflect the traditions, heroes and villains of middle European folklore.