WELCOME TO STRATFORD OAKS FARM IN THE BLUE
RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA
HOME OF THE HAPPY ANIMALS OF
a series of books about the good life
for the animals at
Stratford Oaks Farm
in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
Stratford Oaks Tales is a literary adventure that took shape when the little pygmy goat, Gretchen, was injured. Seeing her struggle to survive a terrible injury, I was inspired to tell her story. It was a natural flow to include other stories about our farm animals that live at Stratford Oaks farm. - Dr. Suzanne Mellow-Irwin
Book 4 - The Tale of Bella
The story of a wild mustang from the American Southwest, relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
ISBN 979-8-9861568-5-9
Publisher: Star Route Books
Publish Date: May 2024
58-pages
Soft Cover
8.5” x 11”
Book 3 - The Tale of Cricket and Cracker
The story of two burros from the American Southwest, relocated to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With photography by Ian Jarvis.
ISBN 978-0-9882647-7-9
Publisher: Star Route Books
Publish Date: October 2018
74-pages
Soft Cover
8.5” x 11”
Book 2 - The Tale of Clyde
Little bull calf, Clyde, needs friends to help him learn and grow at Stratford Oaks Farm.
Illustrations by Zach Hamm.
Book 1 - The Tale of Gretchen
The story of Gretchen, the pygmy goat, and her life among the happy animals at Stratford Oaks Farm.
Illustrations by Zach Hamm.
Stratford Oaks Tales
307 Irwin Valley Road
Sparta, NC 28675
Through a career in education bridging elementary classes to the university level, Dr. Suzanne Mellow-Irwin has served in various positions: classroom teacher, curriculum supervisor, superintendent of schools and university professor. Educated at Trinity College in Washington, D.C., she holds a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She presently lives at Stratford Oaks Farm in Sparta, North Carolina, where the art of storytelling has endeared her to "children" of all ages. |
Ian Jarvis is an 18-year-old young man who loves spending time with family and his animals. As a high functioning autistic person, Ian knows there will be some challenges, but, with support of his family, will face them as they occur. Ian has a few career options, but is currently enjoying photography. He would eventually like to work as a police officer and help solve crimes. The hyper focus he has thanks to the autism helps him find those needles in the haystack. |