L.A. County is huge, but its burgeoning homeless population is impossible to hide. And while tents and boxes dotting the 110 Freeway and people sleeping on benches at parks, beaches and bus stops are clearly visible, what is often not as apparent is how many of our homeless neighbors are children.
As community leaders continue to address the homeless crisis in the region, author Donna Sager Cowan has written a children’s novel, “With the Courage of a Mouse,” that she hopes will give children an understanding of homelessness, help eradicate stereotypes and encourage kids to see the humanity inherent in everyone. With main characters Catt the cat (who is homeless) and Simon Cheddar, a clever, enterprising vest-clad mouse that Catt sees falling from the sky, Cowan takes readers on a physical journey through Sweet Meadows and an emotional journey that explores trust, self-worth and courage.
The book is the first in Cowan’s “The Superhero Series.” She will appear as one of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society’s featured children’s authors during the L.A. Times Festival of Books April 13 and 14 at USC.
Visit donnasagercowan.com to learn more.
