With nearly three decades of experience in education, I’ve had the joy of working with children at every stage — from third graders to preschoolers, and even my own four children, whom I homeschooled at different times throughout their early years.
I’ve taught in traditional classrooms, preschool programs, and currently teach STEM classes to young learners across the Memphis area through Creative Education Services. But one of the most surprising and rewarding parts of my journey has been discovering how life on our small farm, Peaches Place, sparked a series of children’s stories centered around a not-so-charming rooster named Roscoe.
Back in 2020, my family decided to raise chickens. What I didn’t expect was that one of them — Roscoe — would quickly become the inspiration behind a new chapter in my life. Roscoe is bossy, loud, and not afraid to ruffle a few feathers (mine included!). After many mornings of fending off his feisty attitude, it struck me: what if this rooster could help teach young children about kindness, patience, and how to treat others?
Roscoe the Bossy Rooster (Illustration by Ilya T.)
That thought turned into my first book, Roscoe the Bossy Rooster, and from there, more stories followed — each one based on common character challenges children face: learning to wait patiently, trying again after failure, forgiving others, and showing kindness, even when it’s not easy. These themes weren’t just inspired by Roscoe’s antics in the barnyard — they were also drawn from my time in the classroom and the kinds of social and emotional struggles I saw children encounter every day.
For example, in Roscoe the Bossy Rooster, after Roscoe told Chiquita not to play with the new chicken:
Chiquita turned to him (Roscoe) and said, ‘Roscoe, that is not kind. You should treat others how you want to be treated. To be friendly, say nice things about others and make them feel welcome.’”
One of the things I love most about writing Roscoe’s stories is hearing how families and teachers use them to teach values and character in their homes and classrooms. Parents often tell me the books open up meaningful conversations with their children — conversations that might not happen otherwise. Instead of giving a lecture or saying “Because I said so,” they can talk about how Roscoe handled a situation and whether there might have been a better way. It gives children a safe and fun way to explore their own feelings and choices.
Teachers share similar stories from their classrooms. I’ve heard from several who say that when a student is being unkind or impatient, a classmate might say, “Don’t be a Roscoe!” It’s become a lighthearted, yet powerful reminder of how we want to treat one another.
What makes Roscoe relatable is that he’s not perfect — and that’s the point. Children see parts of themselves in his ups-and-downs, and that connection helps them absorb the lessons without feeling like they’re being corrected. Through his stories, they learn that mistakes are part of growing, and that they always have the opportunity to choose kindness, try again, or offer forgiveness.
To help keep those lessons close, I created a Roscoe plushy and keychain that children can take with them. Whether it’s clipped on a backpack or tucked into bed at night, it’s a gentle reminder that character counts — no matter where you are.
Becky Thomas and her chickens on Peaches Place Farm (Photo by Jennifer Cockroft)
Looking back, I never imagined that a rooster would lead me to write books or visit schools as an author. But combining my love for teaching, my experience as a mom, and the unexpected lessons from life on the farm has been such a gift. At its heart, this journey is about helping children grow — not just academically, but into kind, thoughtful, and resilient individuals. And if a bossy little rooster can help do that, then I say — let him cocka-doodle-do!
About the Author: Becky Thomas is an award-winning author and seasoned elementary school teacher who brings her lifelong love of children, animals, and storytelling to life through the adventures of Roscoe — her lovable, bossy rooster. When she is not writing, she enjoys painting, woodworking, and spending time with her family and animals on the farm. To learn more about Roscoe the Rooster and Becky’s other books on character lessons, visit Amazon or roscoetherooster.com.