Shadow And Patch: The Garden Guardians

From the world of Edward Dogwood and Julius Ninebark comes a tale told from the porch rails...When a small black-and-white kitten appears silently on the Gardener's porch rail one spring morning, nobody suspects she will become the garden's fiercest protector. The Gardners name her Shadow - because she appeared from the dappled light without making a sound.Year by year, Shadow maps the Territory: the rock ring where young Edward grows, the vegetable beds the raccoons raid, the creek where Willow keeps watch. She chases off intruders, wins the grudging respect of the garden's elder trees, and learns that even a lone hunter can find family.Then, on a rainy Tuesday in Year Three, Shadow finds four abandoned kittens huddled beneath a cardboard box - and chooses the smallest one, a mottled orange-and-white kitten she names Patch. What follows is a story of parenthood, partnership, and growing old together: hunting lessons, night patrols, thunderstorms survived shoulder to shoulder, and a bond that lasts long after the humans who raised them have moved on.Perfect for young readers who love: - Animal stories with heart, humor, and real nature facts- Gentle tales about family, aging, and legacy- Cats with big personalities and bigger responsibilitiesWith cat care tips, a glossary of cat terms, and discussion questions for families and classrooms, Shadow and Patch: The Garden Guardians is a warm companion story that proves the best guardians aren't the biggest - they're the ones who stay.The Garden: Stories From Around the Rock Ring - Book Two