PERU, Ill. — Cathy Streul’s grandchildren like the stories she tells them about farm life.

One of those stories just popped into her head one evening when she couldn’t sleep, and she jotted it down so she wouldn’t forget it.

“My daughter loved it and kept pushing me until I contacted a publishing company,” Streul said.

With the help of Tate Publishing, she pushed her first book, Adventures from the Farm, into print. The company also provided an illustrator to add some whimsical farm animals.

Describing her story, she said, “It’s the first day of school at the farm, and the children are eagerly gathering in the Big Barn School. Ms. Susie Q. Goose tells them they’re going on an adventure. What excitement awaits Mary Moo, Penny and Peggy Chick, Porker T. Pig, and Timmy Turtle?”

The story is written for 3- to 7-year-old children, and has a lesson or two for them.

Streul said many of the stories she tells her grandchildren are about farm life. In fact, she said three of the characters in her story are based on her three children.

Although she’s lived in Peru, Ill., for 17 years, Streul said she grew up on a farm in Kansas with five brothers and two sisters.

Now that she’s gotten a start, Streul said she has many more stories in the works – and all have lessons to teach.

“Grandparents are working longer and don’t get as much quality time with their grandkids. These stories have lessons for the kids, things I would teach my grandkids. That’s one of the reasons I’m going to write more,” she explained.

Adventures from the Farm can be purchased direct from Tate Publishing at www.tatepublishing.com and from Amazon, or ordered by most bookstores.

The book also has its own Facebook page.