New book by Kimberly Vaughan is a love letter to children everywhere

What does a shaggy little Highland cow living in the Sierra foothills know about the misty green hills of Scotland? Perhaps more than she realizes.

Local author Kimberly Vaughan invites young readers on a heartwarming journey of heritage, belonging and discovery in her newest children’s picture book, Keltie the Highland Coo: A Highland Heart in the Sierras, the third installment in her growing Guardians of the Grove series.

Now available on Amazon, the book will be celebrated during a special festival debut Oct. 17–18 at the Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, where families can discover Keltie’s story through a story time experience in the festival’s Fairy Village, hosted by Miranda the Forest Fairy.

A Highland heart finds its home

Keltie is a lovable, shaggy Highland coo who lives among the rolling hills, golden grasses and towering oaks of the Yosemite Highlands. Life on the farm with her dear friend, Farmer Finn, is filled with familiar comforts and stories that seem to travel on the wind.

But Keltie has questions.

Why does she look so different from the other cattle? Why does her thick, shaggy coat seem made for a place she has never visited? And why do the stories Farmer Finn tells of his grandfather’s homeland make something inside her feel so wonderfully familiar?

As Finn shares tales of Scotland’s misty glens, rugged mountains and generations of Highland traditions, Keltie begins to understand that the place we call home and the heritage we carry in our hearts can be two beautiful parts of the same story.

When winter finally arrives in the Sierras, Keltie discovers something extraordinary about herself and the legacy she never knew she possessed.

Written for children ages 4–10, Keltie’s message reaches across generations, gently reminding readers that our family stories, traditions and connections to the past help shape who we become.

Inspired by friendship

For Vaughan, Keltie’s story is deeply personal.

The character of Farmer Finn was inspired by her dear friend, Wolf, a Scottish historian, devoted kilt-wearer and longtime contributor to the Yosemite Celtic Festival.

Through his passion for Scottish history and traditions, Wolf has helped bring the spirit of the Highlands to life for countless festival guests and community members.

The book is lovingly dedicated to him.

“For me, Keltie is really a story about the people who help us understand where we come from,” said Vaughan. “Wolf has such a wonderful way of sharing his love of Scottish heritage. Through his stories, he has reminded me that our history isn’t simply something that happened long ago. It lives within us, in the traditions we cherish, the stories we share and the things we pass along to the next generation.”

Vaughan, who also serves as executive producer of the Yosemite Celtic Festival, says introducing Keltie during the celebration feels especially fitting.

“There is something incredibly special about watching families experience Celtic traditions together. You see grandparents sharing stories with grandchildren, children discovering bagpipes and Highland dancing for the first time, and people finding connections to a culture they may not have known much about. That is exactly the spirit I wanted to capture in Keltie’s story.”

More than a storybook

Like the other titles in the Guardians of the Grove series, Keltie the Highland Coo encourages children to look a little closer at the world around them and discover the stories waiting to be told.

At the end of the book, special Story Quests invite young readers to become story keepers themselves by asking questions about their families, exploring the natural world and preserving memories through words and drawings.

Children can also earn their own Guardian of the Grove certificate, encouraging them to continue discovering, appreciating and sharing the stories that make their families and communities unique.

“I want children to understand that they are part of something bigger,” Vaughan said. “Every family has stories. Every community has traditions. Even the land around us has a history worth knowing. When children become curious about those things, they begin to develop a deeper sense of belonging and a greater appreciation for the world they will one day inherit.”

Meet Keltie at the festival

Families attending the Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games on Oct. 17–18 will have an opportunity to celebrate Keltie’s arrival during special story time gatherings in the festival’s Fairy Village.

Miranda the Forest Fairy, the beloved character who first introduced readers to the Guardians of the Grove, will share Keltie’s story with young festivalgoers.

Children can also participate in a special Keltie coloring activity, helping create a colorful Highland Herd display in celebration of the newest Guardian. Signed copies of Keltie the Highland Coo: A Highland Heart in the Sierras will be available for purchase during the festival.

Storytime is included with festival admission, and families are encouraged to explore the Fairy Village and the many family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.

A growing collection

Keltie the Highland Coo joins a growing collection of children’s stories inspired by the natural beauty, wildlife, traditions and communities surrounding Yosemite National Park.

The Guardians of the Grove series began with Miranda & Yose: Guardians of the Grove, a magical story of friendship, teamwork, and caring for the environment. The second book, Mari the Monarch: Legacy of the Wings, follows a young monarch butterfly on a journey of discovery, celebrating the wonder of migration and the importance of protecting the natural world.

A fourth book, Taro the Tarantula and the Rhythm of the World, is being illustrated and will introduce young readers to another often misunderstood creature of the Sierra foothills. The launch of book four in the series is anticipated this December.

Through the Guardians of the Grove Literacy Program, Vaughan also works to place books into the hands of children through community events, story times and educational opportunities, helping nurture a lifelong love of reading and storytelling.

“These books are my love letters to the place we call home,” Vaughan said. “I hope every child who opens one discovers a little wonder, a little kindness and a reason to care about the world around them.”