The Author: Tom Nochera
The Book: A Goat Named Joey
The Genre: Children’s fiction
Lives In: Springfield
The Story: “The book is on the topic of bullying and specifically how someone who experiences bullying can get through it,” Nochera says. “The main character is a goat named Joey and he’s different because his name is Joey and not Billy. Most kids are bullied because they’re different. A Goat Named Joey promotes the idea to love your neighbor as yourself. When you fight for and speak up for yourself, you can become your own hero.”
Author Inspiration: Nochera is a father of three, ages 7, 5 and 2. He began working on A Goat Named Joey when he heard the news that he would be a father for the first time. “I quickly realized I wanted my child not just to survive, but to thrive as well. I thought, ‘What gifts do I have that could help her on her way?’ I was bullied in my youth. I don’t want her to be bullied, but if she ever is, she’ll have this story that I wrote for her.”
This post originally appeared in our February 2020 print issue. For more family finds, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
