Sheila Schmitt

Sheila Schmitt

A Teacher, Storyteller, and Lifelong Friend to Animals

For over three decades, Sheila Schmitt has inspired young minds in the classroom while nurturing a sanctuary filled with rescued animals at home. Now, she brings both worlds together through heartwarming children’s stories that celebrate compassion and love that never runs out.

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I Love You A Lot and Then Some More: The Story of Lucky Penny

Sheila Schmitt’s debut book, I Love You A Lot and Then Some More: The Story of Lucky Penny, reminds readers that kindness always circles back, often when we least expect it. A beautifully illustrated tale of a humble farmer, a special calf named Halo, and a weary horse who becomes a symbol of hope. When Farmer Jake discovers a newborn calf with a perfect halo marking on its head, he knows his farm is blessed. But when the calf grows ill, Jake’s world changes forever. Through heartache and faith, a new companion enters his life, a tired horse named Lucky Penny who carries the same quiet magic that Halo once did. It’s a story of loss turned into gratitude, of rain that follows drought, and of the deep joy that comes from caring for another life.

About the Author

Sheila Schmitt

Sheila Schmitt’s book reminds children, and the grown-ups who read alongside them, that endings often hold the seeds of new beginnings. After 32 years of teaching elementary students, Sheila found a new way to continue what she’s always done best: nurture growth, spark imagination, and make the world feel a little more connected. With her husband, she runs a bustling farmstead that’s grown into a living sanctuary. Horses, steers, roosters, cats, and Great Danes call it home, each with a story of rescue and renewal. This is where her stories begin, not in a made-up land, but in a real barn filled with laughter, morning routines, and the comforting hum of everyday miracles. Sheila writes about the bonds that hold families together, the lessons animals quietly teach us, and the kind of love that whispers, “I love you a lot, and then some more.”

Sheila Schmitt

Books by Sheila Schmitt

Themes

Core of Sheila’s Storytelling

Gentle Beginnings

A farmer, a haloed calf, and a tired horse remind children that love often finds us when we least expect it.

Quiet Grace

Every page shows how small acts of care turn into big moments of hope, even in the simplest corners of country life.

Farm Friends

In barns filled with laughter and hay, Sheila’s words teach children the beauty of the connection between people, animals, and the heart.

Kindness Blooms

Sheila’s world invites readers to live gently, love deeply, and see kindness not as a lesson but as a lifestyle.

Love Lasts

Through Halo and Lucky Penny, children discover that love never fades; it grows stronger each time it’s shared or remembered.

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I Love You A Lot and Then Some More: The Story of Lucky Penny

Each page blends simple country life with universal truths that resonate with readers of all ages.

Book Reviews

Thoughts From the Readers

This story has such a gentle, heartfelt message that my kids loved hearing before bedtime. The illustrations really brought Farmer Jake and his animals to life. It’s a touching story about kindness, love, and the bond between people and animals. Even though it’s simple, it leaves a lasting impression.

I picked this book because of the title, and it didn’t disappoint. The art is beautiful, and the story is easy for little ones to follow. My grandson especially liked Halo and Lucky Penny. It’s short enough to hold attention but still has an emotional ending that feels hopeful.

A sweet farm story that mixes love, loss, and new beginnings in a way young readers can understand. The illustrations do most of the storytelling, which I really appreciated. You can feel the warmth in every page, both in the drawings and the words.

When I finished reading, my son quietly went back to the first page and traced Halo’s picture with his finger. He said nothing, just smiled. That moment told me everything about this book.