Tuesday, June 15, 2010
My First Post- by Brittany Jean
<3, Brittany Jean :P Peace
P.S.
I love quotes so why not leave one-
"No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle"
-Winston Churchill
*must be appropriate for all ages.
Gabe and "Gracie Lou"
Gabe and "Gracie Lou" are two of the main characters in "Jadon and Gabe:The Not so Saintly Horses"
Gabe is quite the character!
To order a copy of the book, click on the image of the book cover over on the right or you may order a signed copy by sending a check to the address on the right.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"The Horse"
Friendship without envy,
Or beauty without vanity?
Here, where grace is served with muscle
And strength by gentleness confined
He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.
There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.
~Ronald Duncan, "The Horse," 1954
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Will he break a World Record?
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Examiner/Jadon and Gabe Article-Updated
Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses

Jadon and Gabe (Used with permission)
Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses was written by two Texans: Barbara Janet Cooper and her granddaughter Brittany Jean Schonert, who live in College Station.
Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses is the first in the Jadon and Gabe series, and features the adorable miniature horse Jadon as the narrator.
This story is about how two horses with opposite personalities meet; and how against all odds they become friends and learn to live together in peace.
As they face tough life problems, they are directed to look to God for direction. In return, they master the skill of manners and respect for others.
This book offers enlightenment as it inspires children to reach for higher values; to seek the higher road in their own lives as they learn a variety of spiritual lessons thoughout the engaging and very entertaining stories. Each new adventure of challenge played out in this book opens up opportunities for discussion between parent or caregiver and child.
Come along on their journey as they embark on a path, finding a life, which is truly pleasing to their humans and to God. Great family read. --Author notes

Barbara and Brittany (Used with permission)
Bio
I am a mother, grandmother and published author of several books. I have lived in Texas for the past 35 years close to family and friends. My co-author, Brittany, who is also my granddaughter, was born in Texas."
Interview with Barbara Janet Cooper
Examiner: How long have your been writing?
Barbara Janet Cooper: I stared writing when I was a child. I published my first book three years ago.
Examiner: What made you decide to become a self-publisher?
Barbara Janet Cooper: I like the idea of being able to tell my story in my words, not someone else's words.
Examiner: How long have you been self-publishing your work?
Barbara Janet Cooper: Three years.
Examiner: How many books have you written?
Barbara Janet Cooper: I have published three books so far. The Other Surviver: Head Injury From a Wife's Perspective; Upside down and Back Again: and Hope for the Caregiver, all of which can be found at wordsofhopeforcaregivers.com and also on amazon.com.
I have another book for caregivers in the works, which will be a study guide for caregivers.
Brittany and I are working on the second in the Jadon and Gabe series, Missing in Action, which we hope to have out this summer.
I have also been working on a novel for the last few years, The Attic on Lockwood Avenue.
Examiner: Are you looking for an agent or publisher?
Barbara Janet Cooper: No, I'm not looking but if one finds me, we can talk about it.
Examiner: What is the hardest part about being a self-publisher?
Barbara Janet Cooper: The amount of time that it takes to promote takes away from the time to write.
Examiner: Do you have any advice for new writers?
Barbara Janet Cooper: Follow your dream. Believe in yourself and keep writing.
Examiner: Can you tell us some other interesting things about yourself ?
Barbara Janet Cooper: A portion of the proceeds from my books is donated to the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns. Also our local library has asked my granddaughter to give a talk at a summer reading workshop in July. We will be offering our book, Jadon and Gabe, for sale at this event.

Brittany Jean Schonert (Used with permission)
About Brittany
(Pictures and information posted with permission.)
The Larry J. Ringer Public Library in College Station, Texas will be holding a Summer Reading Program on Tuesday, July 13, from 9 am to 11 am. Another local author, Richard Bradford, will be presenting writing workshops for children ages 6-8.
Brittany will be giving a presentation on writing and talking about the book she wrote with her grandmother: Jadon and Gabe, at this event. She will also help out with the writing workshop.
Brittany has won three story contests with a local newspaper in College Station.
She is an A student in fifth grade, and hopes to attend Texas A & M University upon graduation from high school. She plans to pursue a career as an attorney-at-law.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A Review by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle/Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses
I enjoyed reading it and wrote a review:
This enchanting book for children and families alike is written from a horse's point of view. It is illustrated with sweet pictures throughout. If you're looking for a book that will both entertain your child and teach worthwhile life lessons and good values at the same time, this is the book. Books like this are difficult to find these days. This one is a treasure for sure. The engaging chapters flow together with ease and many valuable life lessons are woven through the delightful and entertaining text.
Jadon and Gabe: The Not So Saintly Miniature Horses contains a spiritual element as well, while we watch the two horses look to God for direction and help as they navigate their lives through the challenges and the joys that beset them. Each new adventure or challenge played out in this book opens up opportunities for discussion between parent or caregiver and child. I highly recommend this wholesome and delightful book for your family!
Thank you very much for this interview, Barbara. Your newest book: Jadon and Gabe: The Not So Saintly Horses is a sweet children's story of adventure and seeking God for help as told from a horse's perspective. I really enjoyed reading it. Can you tell us why you decided to use Miniature horses to tell the story?
We always had at least one horse as part of our family since my children were very young.
In the early 80’s, we met and became friends with Sister Bernadette Muller. The Poor Claire Nuns, in Brenham, Texas raise miniature horses and Sister Bernadette introduced us to our very first mini. Although Sister Bernadette has since passed on, the sisters still raise the miniatures for their livelihood.
After a while we had a small herd - not all from The Monastery. They were not related to each other. I loved to sit in the barn or out near the pasture and just watch, for hours on end, these wonderful little horses interact with each other. Each horse has their own personality, but each horse, has the same goal as the other, which is pleasing their Master. Just like our human children, they may forget their manners from time to time, but their mothers, will help to lead them back on the right path.
When I decided to write this book, it felt it only natural to allow Jadon and Gabe, to tell their story and share their perspective on life.
What age range do you think your book will serve best?
I feel that Jadon and Gabe is a book that the whole family will enjoy.
Can you tell us about the writing process for this book? I understand that you have a co-author.
Yes, I do have a co-author, my ten year old grand-daughter, Brittany Jean. At the age of nine, she has won three story contests which were published, in our local newspaper. She also won a blue ribbon at a horse show when she was just three years old.
I feel blessed to have her as a co-author and the reader will receive the perspective of one of their peers.
That’s really wonderful. I’m sure it’s a blessing working with your grand-daughter on your book projects. What are your hopes for this book?
My hopes are that, Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses, will not only entertain, but also encourage the reader to reach higher in their efforts in settings a good example for their peers. I also hope that the words of Jadon and Gabe will remind the reader that it is much better to please God than to succumb to peer pressure.
Can you tell us about the illustrations?
Yes, Brittany Jean drew all the illustrations for this book. It is her way of introducing the characters to our readers. Her illustrations also help to tell the story. The cover of the book is an image of the real Jadon and Gabe, Jadon being the smaller of the two.
That’s very interesting. Do you have any plans for future books?
Yes, we do! Thank you for asking. Brittany and I are working, at the moment, on the 2nd in the series of the Jadon and Gabe books. I don’t want to give too much away. I can tell you that they will learn the hard way, that God gives us parents, to protect us from the evils of the world.
Jadon and Gabe: Missing in Action, will be available, late summer of 2010.
Well, I will certainly be looking forward to the next in the series. Finally, where can we purchase your book?
If ordering a signed copy, you may send a check or money order, in the amount of $7.00 plus $3.95 S/H to: B.J. Cooper-Schonert, P.O. Box 9077, College Station, Texas 77842
Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses is also available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
Also on my website at, http://wordsfromthehayloft.blogspot.com
Thank you very much for this interview, Barbara! Have fun writing the next Jadon and Gabe book. May God bless you and your whole family!


