Why I Wrote Fiona the Lost Sheep

Every story has a beginning—and for Fiona the Lost Sheep, it started with a real-life rescue on a cliffside in Scotland. I first read about Fiona in an article published in The New York Times, and her incredible journey immediately captured my imagination. Here was a lone sheep, stranded for years, who against all odds was eventually found and brought to safety. The image of that moment stuck with me.

Within a single day, the story practically wrote itself. I knew I wanted to bring Fiona’s experience to life in a way that was meaningful and accessible for children. And so I combined her true rescue story with something deeply personal to me—my Christian faith, and specifically the parable of the lost sheep.

The message of that parable—about being sought out, loved, and brought back home—is a powerful one. I wanted children to feel that message through Fiona’s journey: that they are never truly alone, and that love and friendship will always come looking for them, even when they feel lost.

My wife has spent nearly two decades as a Christian preschool teacher, and from her I’ve learned how important positivity, hope, and encouragement are in early childhood development. Kids don’t just need colorful books or fun characters—they need stories that speak to their hearts.

With Fiona the Lost Sheep, I hoped to write something that offers both comfort and inspiration, wrapped in a tale of adventure, perseverance, and belonging.

If even one child sees themselves in Fiona and feels a little more loved and a little more brave—that’s more than I could ever ask for.

— Mark Plihcik, Author