The Blessing of the BeastsEthel Pochocki, Author
Engravings by Barry Moser
Paraclete Press
ISBN 978-1-55725-502-0
Retail Price: $18.95
I must tell you that I was intrigued by this book from the moment I read the title and saw the beautiful dustjacket. I am not a child, but the owner of a children's book collection. There are many fond memories that I cherish from my children's younger days--sitting together close and tight, the three of them and me, reading a book for the first time.
This is the story of Francesca, a roach and Martin, a skunk, two of the most unlikely stars of a story could not be found! They live around a restaurant kitchen, doing what roaches and skunks do. One day they find out that there is going to be an animal blessing. Do they dare risk going to the church to be blessed? Will the priest bless two of the most unliked of God's creatures that exist?
I do recommend this book after finding it absolutely delightful. It would be a great gift for the upcoming Christmas season! I do caution that younger children may not be able to sit through listening to the whole book being read unless their attention span is good. Younger children will like the story, but some text may need to be condensed.
We all can learn a lesson from this story. Every creature that exists was created by God for a purpose. He does not pick and choose by how we look, what we own, or what we wear. Neither should anyone do any different. Jesus said, "Love as I have loved you." That is, unconditional love and respect for all.
Reviewed by babamarusia.
From the publisher, Paraclete Press
As a young roach, Francesca was warned against churches:
Her mother had told her there was no reason to visit such a place. Churches were disgustingly clean, barren of food, although sometimes you might find leftover rice from weddings under the pews, and they were dangerous.
Francesca and Martin, a skunk, originally met in a trash can awhile back:
He had startled her by rising from the garbage, wearing a cap of coleslaw and a mustache of yogurt.
“Good evening, Miss,” he said, remembering his manners. “My name is Martin. After the saint, Martin de Porres. My mother favored him. His statue was in the garden where we ate, so she named me, her firstborn, after him.”
As the Celebration of Creatures service approaches, Francesca yearns to be there, but Martin warns her against it:
“I don’t think that we are meant to be included, Francesca. It’s for the respectables, the cute and cuddlies. We are outcasts, my dear. They’ll never let us in. Can’t you just hear the humans shrieking as we walk down the aisle? They’d be fainting left and right.”
Francesca and Martin find a creative way into the church—and what a sight they see! Kids and adults alike will treasure this new story about the value of all creatures, and will learn anew that all of creation has value, purpose, and God’s blessing.
As a young roach, Francesca was warned against churches:
Her mother had told her there was no reason to visit such a place. Churches were disgustingly clean, barren of food, although sometimes you might find leftover rice from weddings under the pews, and they were dangerous.
Francesca and Martin, a skunk, originally met in a trash can awhile back:
He had startled her by rising from the garbage, wearing a cap of coleslaw and a mustache of yogurt.
“Good evening, Miss,” he said, remembering his manners. “My name is Martin. After the saint, Martin de Porres. My mother favored him. His statue was in the garden where we ate, so she named me, her firstborn, after him.”
As the Celebration of Creatures service approaches, Francesca yearns to be there, but Martin warns her against it:
“I don’t think that we are meant to be included, Francesca. It’s for the respectables, the cute and cuddlies. We are outcasts, my dear. They’ll never let us in. Can’t you just hear the humans shrieking as we walk down the aisle? They’d be fainting left and right.”
Francesca and Martin find a creative way into the church—and what a sight they see! Kids and adults alike will treasure this new story about the value of all creatures, and will learn anew that all of creation has value, purpose, and God’s blessing.
The Blessing of the Beasts is offered for sale by Quality Music and Books in Osseo, Minnesota. QMB is a new retail Christian music and bookstore with a new website currently under development. Osseo is a north suburb of Minneapolis, MN, located very near Hiways 169 & 81, and a little over a mile off of Hwy 610.
A convenient way to shop and save shipping cost is to telephone (until our website is up), pay by phone if you wish, and then just stop in and pick it up! Any book currently out of stock when ordered will be shipped free of charge!
The QMB Vision: Recognizing that our Christian faith grows by God's grace through the Holy Spirit, our desire is to provide materials and opportunities that equip believers to fully participate in the body of Christ through Worship, Word and Witness.
Look for Quality Music and Books at the second annual Christian Community Fair in St. Paul, November 9-10, 2007. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre!
A convenient way to shop and save shipping cost is to telephone (until our website is up), pay by phone if you wish, and then just stop in and pick it up! Any book currently out of stock when ordered will be shipped free of charge!
The QMB Vision: Recognizing that our Christian faith grows by God's grace through the Holy Spirit, our desire is to provide materials and opportunities that equip believers to fully participate in the body of Christ through Worship, Word and Witness.
Look for Quality Music and Books at the second annual Christian Community Fair in St. Paul, November 9-10, 2007. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre!
Quality Music and Books
208 Central Avenue
Osseo, MN 55369
(763) 424-2425
Hours: M-Th 9-5, F 9-9, S 9-5
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