Oxette

"Virginia is a small cow with big dreams to work someday. She imagines the seasons of her life filled with plowing, haying, logging, and sleighing. Unfortunately, her feet are too long to actually work or play. Instead, she is always left out to pasture. Could making a new friend help her on the way?" 

The inspiration for Oxette came from Lea's experience of training a young single heifer calf to become an ox. And this is a good place to make a distinction. Traditionally, a single ox, or when plural, oxen, are typically trained as steers. They must wait until they are four years old and can demonstrate a well-rounded education to receive the title of ox or oxen. 

Oxette expands on this traditional concept of role for a working bovine with a playful, sweet, and endearing term. The plot goes on to connect the reader to the reality of caring for a working bovine, highlighting the importance of keeping their cloven hooves maintained. 

The release date for Oxette was thoughtfully chosen as October 12, 2024, which is also celebrated as National Farmer’s Day. The book is dedicated: “To every small farmer. Your work makes a difference.”
 
Lea Patrice Fales lives in Michigan with her partner, Brian. In their pursuit of learning traditional craft skills, they were first introduced to draft animal power in 2019 at Tillers International’s Plow Day in Scotts, Michigan. They are subscribers to Rural Heritage and Small Farmer’s Journal, and members of the Draft Animal Power Network and the Midwest Ox Drover’s Association. Oxette is Lea’s debut as an author and illustrator. She earned her MFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.