The OBOT book is chosen each year by a committee comprised of members of the Fairfield Public Library, the Pequot Library, Fairfield University, Fairfield University Bookstore, and the Fairfield Public Schools. The committee reads throughout many (many) books over the summer and fall to make their selection. This year is the twelfth One Book One Town (OBOT) celebration in Fairfield and we are excited that the 2020 pick is Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero by Christopher McDougall. Copies of the books are available at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library on the display near the Library Services & Information Desk.
While a rescue donkey seems an unlikely hero, Sherman’s story also embraces the story of his owner and the friends they make along the way. When Christopher McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder, he thought it would be no harder than the rest of the adjustments he and his family had made after moving from Philadelphia to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. When Sherman arrived, he was so sick he could barely move but Chris decided to undertake a radical rehabilitation program designed to heal Sherman’s body and mind. He decided to teach Sherman to run. He had heard about burro racing – where humans and donkeys run together in a call-back to mining days – and decided the goal would be for them to enter the World Championship in Colorado. Running with Sherman is the heartwarming story of that rehabilitation as Chris and a community of others help Sherman transform from a scared, misunderstood animal into a confident champion and trusted companion.
Here are just a few upcoming OBOT events that touch on the themes presented in Running with Sherman:
- On Sunday Feb. 23rd stop by the stag statue on campus between 11am-1pm to meet a rescue donkey and hear about Ray of Light Farm's rescue efforts and animal therapy programs from 12-12:30 in the Dogwood Room of the Barone Campus Center.
- On Thursday, March 5th at 7pm Counseling & Psychological Services presents a program at the Fairfield Public Library. Julia Smith, LCSW and Mark Celano, PhD, will give a talk focusing on understanding the origins and symptoms of depression and anxiety, and how parents can help their teens.
- And don’t miss the chance to meet the author – Christopher McDougall will visit Fairfield to talk about Running with Sherman on Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. Registration opens on Feb. 1st and the free tickets are expected to be snatched up rather quickly. McDougall is also the best-selling book Born to Run. For One Book One Town event details, visit the events page.
One Book One Town is made possible through the sponsorship of the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, The Junior Women’s Club of Fairfield, the Fairfield Public Library, the Pequot Library and Fairfield University.