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This Way, Charlie
From the award-winning team behind Ida, Always comes a story about a friendship that grows between a blind horse and a gruff goat
All the animals at the Open Bud Ranch can see that Jack likes keeping his space to himself. But when Charlie arrives, he doesn’t see Jack at all. He’s still getting used to seeing out of only one of his eyes.
The two get off to a bumpy start. At first, Jack is anxious and distrustful. But one day, he summons his courage and guides Charlie to his favorite sunlit field: this way, Charlie. And so begins a powerful friendship that will be tested by life’s storms—but will ultimately change each life for the better.
All the animals at the Open Bud Ranch can see that Jack likes keeping his space to himself. But when Charlie arrives, he doesn’t see Jack at all. He’s still getting used to seeing out of only one of his eyes.
The two get off to a bumpy start. At first, Jack is anxious and distrustful. But one day, he summons his courage and guides Charlie to his favorite sunlit field: this way, Charlie. And so begins a powerful friendship that will be tested by life’s storms—but will ultimately change each life for the better.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2020
19 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Caron Levis
13 books52 followersCaron Levis is the author of the picture books, May I Have A Word? (FSG) Stuck with the Blooz (HMH) and Ida, Always (Atheneum) which the New York Times Book Review calls, "an example of children's books at their best." Forthcoming titles include Stop That Yawn! (Atheneum, 2018) and Mama's Shoes (Abrams 2019) Caron is an adjunct professor and the coordinator for The New School's Writing for Children/YA MFA program, where she earned her degree. She has an LMSW from Hunter College; after many years as an arts educator, Caron now loves using acting and writing to teach social, emotional, and literacy skills to students of all ages through her author workshops. Having trained in acting and dabbled in playwriting, Caron enjoys turning theatre techniques into writing tools through her workshop Act-Like-A-Writer. Visit her at www.caronlevis.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
April 17, 2022
A beautiful story that demonstrates the mutual benefits of friendship. When we reach out a helping hand to another, we are accepting an opportunity to grow together. The illustrations are beautiful.
January 2, 2023
Beautiful friendship, beautiful story.
And while I was Googling the original story where this book is based on, I found a beautiful poem by Billy_TheKidster:
Charlie, the Blind Horse and Jack, the Goat
Charlie the horse went completely blind,
it looked as if this was Charlie's end,
the staff were going to euthanize Charlie,
but then something amazing happened.
Jack the Goat and Charlie the horse became inseparable friends.
The goat would lead Charlie everywhere,
the goat never left Charlie's side,
until one day when Charlie got trapped in an area
where the goat couldn't lead Charlie outside.
The Goat ran and got staff to rescue his friend
and possibly saved Charlie's life.
For sixteen years this went on, both always side by side,
and then once while both were relaxing under their favorite tree,
Charlie the horse peacefully died.
The goat smelled Charlie and for the very first time
left the horse that day,
The goat appeared ambivalent,
nonchalantly walking away.
but I do believe that Jack the goat was grieving,
just in his own specie's way.
When Jack smelled Charlie for the very last time,
to me it was as if he was trying to say,
"It's over friend, you don't need me anymore so I'll be on my way."
Charlie was buried under the tree where both would relax in stride,
When Jack the goat died,
Jack was buried right along Charlie the blind horse's side.
And while I was Googling the original story where this book is based on, I found a beautiful poem by Billy_TheKidster:
Charlie, the Blind Horse and Jack, the Goat
Charlie the horse went completely blind,
it looked as if this was Charlie's end,
the staff were going to euthanize Charlie,
but then something amazing happened.
Jack the Goat and Charlie the horse became inseparable friends.
The goat would lead Charlie everywhere,
the goat never left Charlie's side,
until one day when Charlie got trapped in an area
where the goat couldn't lead Charlie outside.
The Goat ran and got staff to rescue his friend
and possibly saved Charlie's life.
For sixteen years this went on, both always side by side,
and then once while both were relaxing under their favorite tree,
Charlie the horse peacefully died.
The goat smelled Charlie and for the very first time
left the horse that day,
The goat appeared ambivalent,
nonchalantly walking away.
but I do believe that Jack the goat was grieving,
just in his own specie's way.
When Jack smelled Charlie for the very last time,
to me it was as if he was trying to say,
"It's over friend, you don't need me anymore so I'll be on my way."
Charlie was buried under the tree where both would relax in stride,
When Jack the goat died,
Jack was buried right along Charlie the blind horse's side.
September 3, 2020
Jack is a small goat who suffered abuse before being rescued and taken to the fictional “Open Bud Ranch”. There he keeps mostly to himself until the arrival of Charlie the horse who is blind in one eye. Charlie is kind and friendly, and Jack decides that he must help Charlie adjust to the new surroundings.
Inspired by the real Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Claremore, Oklahoma, This Way, Charlie is a story of love, patience, kindness, and recovery that is heartwarming and uplifting. This beautifully illustrated book would be wonderful to read aloud with young children.
Inspired by the real Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Claremore, Oklahoma, This Way, Charlie is a story of love, patience, kindness, and recovery that is heartwarming and uplifting. This beautifully illustrated book would be wonderful to read aloud with young children.
August 19, 2020
Very sweet story. My favorites lines:
(This book is about rescue animals and the friendship between a goat and a horse. Jack, the goat, was scared of the barn.) "He wanted to go where it looked peaceful and dry, but his body remembered a different barn from long ago that wasn't calm or kind. Charlie couldn't make the rain or the past disappear, but he could show Jack how kindness moves, sounds, and waits for skies to clear and new memories to take shape."
"Sometimes a quiet like warm milk filled the space between them."
(This book is about rescue animals and the friendship between a goat and a horse. Jack, the goat, was scared of the barn.) "He wanted to go where it looked peaceful and dry, but his body remembered a different barn from long ago that wasn't calm or kind. Charlie couldn't make the rain or the past disappear, but he could show Jack how kindness moves, sounds, and waits for skies to clear and new memories to take shape."
"Sometimes a quiet like warm milk filled the space between them."
March 25, 2023
Cute book, but meh to me. The colors are very pastel and muted, the story simple and sweet, but it just didn’t really reach me like I thought it would. Probably more me than the book. It’s not bad, just not amazing to me. I do like how it brings awareness to the animal sanctuary that inspired this book.
3, middle of the road, stars.
3, middle of the road, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2020
Tender story about a friendship that develops between a partially (and then fully) blind horse and a goat who has obviously been abused in the past. Told about real animals at the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma.
June 7, 2025
Beautiful book on friendship and a great example to use in teaching emotional health/expression and caring well for each other.
September 25, 2020
A beautiful story inspired by a real animal friendship between a horse and a goat. Jack the goat notices that a new horse named Charlie is adjusting to being blind in one eye, so Jack befriends Charlie and every day he guides Charlie to his favourite sunlit field. The illustrations are lovely. A charming story about kindness, patience, love, and understanding and accepting each other's challenges and differences.
October 3, 2020
Charlie the horse is blind in one eye. Jack the goat has been mistreated by his owner. Now both of them live on a rehabilitation and rescue farm, and, an initial difficult meeting, they gradually become friends.
Based on a true story. A picture book for all of us who love animal stories.
Based on a true story. A picture book for all of us who love animal stories.
January 26, 2022
A lovely story about the friendship between a sweet, blind horse and a cranky, insecure goat. For those who have read Ida, Always, be assured This Way, Charlie is not as heartbreaking. I skipped some parts while reading it to the younger students, only because of its length and the wiggliness that comes with seeing kindergarten and first grade in the afternoon. This could be used in an upper elementary classroom for lessons on friendship and teamwork.
November 16, 2022
4.5 stars. A lovely children’s book which centers on friendship.
May 12, 2020
Beautiful companion to Ida, Always. Themes of compassion, friendship, loyalty and grace. LOVE this one.
June 10, 2021
Title: This way, Charlie
Author: Caron Levis
Pages: unpaged
Lexile: AD640L
“Open Bud Ranch had space for all kinds, and all kinds of space to heal, rest, and grow.” This stirring tale is based on the real-life relationship between Jack the goat and Charlie the blind horse at the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma. Grouchy Jack, easily rankled at any creature who dares to invade his personal space, encounters a blind newcomer, Charlie, who has no clue of Jack’s general irritation at the presence of others and is bent on playfully exploring his new home. Throughout the story, this unlikely duo forges a special friendship that weathers a storm (literally), models empathy, and showcases the power of walking in someone else’s horseshoes.
Levis’s writing is simple, yet so full of imagery and contrast. In my opinion, the way she contrasts two kinds of quiet: one “like warm milk” and the other “like a swallow of dry rotten grass rumbling around their insides” is brilliant.
I think children will love this story, particularly the ones who have a special attachment to animals and the lessons that can be learned from them. In addition, it can serve as a wonderful tool to teach empathy and other-centeredness.
Reviewed by: Miss Amy
Author: Caron Levis
Pages: unpaged
Lexile: AD640L
“Open Bud Ranch had space for all kinds, and all kinds of space to heal, rest, and grow.” This stirring tale is based on the real-life relationship between Jack the goat and Charlie the blind horse at the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma. Grouchy Jack, easily rankled at any creature who dares to invade his personal space, encounters a blind newcomer, Charlie, who has no clue of Jack’s general irritation at the presence of others and is bent on playfully exploring his new home. Throughout the story, this unlikely duo forges a special friendship that weathers a storm (literally), models empathy, and showcases the power of walking in someone else’s horseshoes.
Levis’s writing is simple, yet so full of imagery and contrast. In my opinion, the way she contrasts two kinds of quiet: one “like warm milk” and the other “like a swallow of dry rotten grass rumbling around their insides” is brilliant.
I think children will love this story, particularly the ones who have a special attachment to animals and the lessons that can be learned from them. In addition, it can serve as a wonderful tool to teach empathy and other-centeredness.
Reviewed by: Miss Amy
July 6, 2021
Format Read: eBook
Cover Art: 5 stars
Library Buy: Yes
My Review: This is one of the Surrey Schools Picture Book of the Year nominees for the 2021-2022 school year. I thought it was going to be another typical cute story about animals. I was so unprepared for how this book would make me feel. Maybe it's because I understand what it's like to feel wounded, to want to protect yourself from hurt, to put up walls and not let people (or in this case animals) get too close. Maybe it's because of how so many of my students might relate to this story. Maybe it was Charlie's quiet, simple, and poignant wisdom. Maybe it's the beautiful illustrations that pull you into the story. Or maybe, just maybe... it's all of the above.
Cover Art: 5 stars
Library Buy: Yes
My Review: This is one of the Surrey Schools Picture Book of the Year nominees for the 2021-2022 school year. I thought it was going to be another typical cute story about animals. I was so unprepared for how this book would make me feel. Maybe it's because I understand what it's like to feel wounded, to want to protect yourself from hurt, to put up walls and not let people (or in this case animals) get too close. Maybe it's because of how so many of my students might relate to this story. Maybe it was Charlie's quiet, simple, and poignant wisdom. Maybe it's the beautiful illustrations that pull you into the story. Or maybe, just maybe... it's all of the above.
October 6, 2021
The animals at Open Bud Ranch can see that Jack likes his own space but when Charlie gets to the ranch he doesn’t see Jack because he is trying to see with one eye. When Charlie gets in Jack’s way because he doesn’t see him, Antonia, the caretaker at the ranch, explains that Charlie needs to learn how to see in a new way. This book was influenced by the real relationship between Charlie the horse, Jack the goat and the caretaker at Wild Heart Ranch Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma. On the author’s website there is a link to more information and a picture of the real life Jack and Charlie. Readers will enjoy this wonderful story about friendship. This title is a 2022 Monarch Award nominee.
Reviewed by: Liz Glazer, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by: Liz Glazer, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
November 24, 2021
I ask the students before reading this 2022 Washington State Children's Choice Picture Book Nominee if our school could be like a rescue farm or sanctuary. We pause at taking a breath in for sweet, out for brave and visit how it's harder to be kind than mean and that's why we celebrate the kindness challenge. By the time Charlie loses sight in his other eye the kids are crying. I can't look at them or I will cry too. After the reading, student chose to read wow or draw. Some chose the moon medals and coloring book pages I found on the authors website. I'm always grateful for those activities.
May 6, 2020
What a wonderful little story of compassion. This is the story of a grumpy goat who has difficulty relating to other animals on the sanctuary where he lives (SO nice and refreshing to see a farm animal sanctuary, rather than a "fantasy farm" that glosses over how most farm animals really live). Jack the goat is full of mistrust, until a very special blind horse arrives and needs a helping hand...
This sweet story models empathy and humility and is gentle enough to appeal to even the most mainstream audiences. This one's a winner all the way around!
This sweet story models empathy and humility and is gentle enough to appeal to even the most mainstream audiences. This one's a winner all the way around!
July 8, 2022
É maravilhoso!!!
Acho lindo que seja baseado no história verídica
É fantástico que existam lugares assim
Charles Santoso é um ilustrador sublime
Fiquei também fã de Caron Levis
História de Amizade, entreajuda, de esperança
Acho lindo que seja baseado no história verídica
É fantástico que existam lugares assim
Charles Santoso é um ilustrador sublime
Fiquei também fã de Caron Levis
História de Amizade, entreajuda, de esperança
July 13, 2020
What beautiful compassion. Kids love animal friendship stories; adults who have an organ even resembling a heart will be deeply moved. The gorgeous yet approachable illustrations, many of them glowing with ethereal light, were the cherry on top.
As someone who has been privileged enough to be the caretaker for not one, but two sight-impaired special needs cats over the course of my life, this one punched me right in the feels. Damn you, onion-cutting ninjas!
If you need a little "eye bleach" from the revulsion and despair you feel about the state of the world, put this at the top of your to-read list.
As someone who has been privileged enough to be the caretaker for not one, but two sight-impaired special needs cats over the course of my life, this one punched me right in the feels. Damn you, onion-cutting ninjas!
If you need a little "eye bleach" from the revulsion and despair you feel about the state of the world, put this at the top of your to-read list.
January 23, 2021
What an incredibly sweet story! Absolutely loved this one!
March 3, 2021
If you want to cry, this book is for you. *spoiler warning* no one dies, thank goodness.
It is a touching story of a grumpy abused goat and a horse that is going blind.
It is a touching story of a grumpy abused goat and a horse that is going blind.
May 3, 2021
My students claim I say every book I read to them is my new favorite picture book but truly this might be my new favorite picture book!
November 17, 2021
Very cute, but it would have been nice to include a picture of the real Jack and Charlie.
February 4, 2022
Oh my, if this story doesn't move you, I'm pretty sure you don't have a heart! So sweet.
December 31, 2022
It made me cry. So sweet and special—highly recommend!
June 7, 2021
charlie is a sight impaired horse, and Jack the goat befriends him. They have a spat and make up. I feel that this is an important lesson for all of us!
January 13, 2021
Be sure to have tissue ready for this story. Even animals experience trauma.
June 11, 2020
This book made me tear up, what a sweet story about friendship. The text is a bit long (I don't think I'd use it in a storytime for anyone younger than kindergarten) but I do like the text and the pictures are lovely.
April 28, 2020
Bookaday #46. 5 Stars. I adored their previous book Ida, Always (need to dust off the SMART Board lesson for that book when we return to school) and this new book is equally as great. Students recommended it to me from their online learning library choice board lesson for Kidlit TV. Author did a fabulous job reading her book. Text is heartwarming "quiet like warm milk" and the illustrations are outstanding and warm. And there is a border collie cameo! Also based on an actual animal friendship, I hope to see some back matter like in the Ida book, when I get the print book. Have a tissue ready, I'll warn you, like my students failed to do for me ;)
April 6, 2021
Cute book about friendship between two animals at an animal sanctuary. Jack the goat keeps to himself, but when Charlie, the horse, arrives, Jack sees that he needs help. Charlie is partially blind, so Jack leads him to fields, shows him where to find food, and takes him to the barn when its stormy out. They have a small disagreement, and then Charlie gets stuck out in a storm. Jack wakes up the other animals and they all work together to rescue Charlie.
Illustrations are cute, and I appreciate the promotion of animal rescues and sanctuaries. The overall story is a little "generic friendship story" though.
Illustrations are cute, and I appreciate the promotion of animal rescues and sanctuaries. The overall story is a little "generic friendship story" though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews