Happily Ever Esther

Two Men, a Wonder Pig, and Their Life-Changing Mission to Give Animals a Home

By: Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, Caprice Crane

Narrated by: Steve Jenkins

From the New York Times bestselling authors and loving owners of Esther the Wonder Pig, comes a memoir about their new life on the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, which is anything but boring.

Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter, had their lives turned upside down when they adopted their pig-daughter Esther--the so-called micro pig who turned out to be a full-sized commercial pig growing to a whopping 600 pounds--as they describe in their bestselling memoir Esther the Wonder Pig. The book ends with them moving to a new farm, and starting a new wonderful life where they will live on the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary to care for other animals and just live happily ever after...

Or so they thought. People often think about giving it all up and just moving to a farm. In theory it sure does sound great. But as Derek and Steve quickly realized, the realities of being a farmer--especially when you have never lived on a farm let alone outside of the city--can be frantic, crazy, and even insane. Not only are they adjusting to farm life and dutifully taking care of their pig-daughter Esther (who by the way lives in the master bedroom of their house), but before they knew it their sanctuary grew to as many as 42 animals, including: pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, cows, roosters, a peacock, a duck, a horse, a donkey, and a barn cat named Willma Ferrell.

Written with joy and humor, and filled with delicious Esther-approved recipes dispersed throughout the book, this charming memoir captures an emotional journey of one little family advocating for animals everywhere.

Critic reviews

"Alternately heartwarming and hilarious, earnest and absurd...a testament to how the idealism, perseverance and activism of ordinary people can actually change people's minds and change the world for the better."—Winnipeg Free Press

"Using his trademark self-deprecating humor, Jenkins...chronicles the zany misadventures...Jenkins is refreshingly candid...this is essential reading for [Esther's] many fans."—Library Journal

i loved this book

Sweet quirky stories with a heart. I learned a lot and felt included rather than judged.

Amazing!

Steve and Derek, thank you for sharing your lives and kind souls with the world. I stopped eating pork over a year ago, and am now giving up beef because of your beautiful Esther. I will be sharing your story, Esther’s videos, and the video of your farm with my kindergarten students to help them continue to grow in the knowledge that kindness is best for everyone, people and animals alike. So many thanks to you both, and kisses and hugs to sweet Esther.

Nancy Wilson

Loved this book

Love Esther and what Steve and Derek have done with letting more people know about pigs and about their sanctuary.

Esther Approved Book

What a wonderful book. Incredibly well written and read. Good job, Dads. Looking forward to the next one.

Inspiring

After following Esther on Facebook and reading Esther the Wonder Pig, I was anxious to hear more about her amazing story. This book illuminates some of the trials and tribulations with running a sanctuary but emphasizes Steve and Derek's determination in making it successful. I loved this book.