Here are a few of my favorite things - the always enchanting art of Johannah Bluedorn, nature study, and racoons - all wrapped up together in the sort of wonderful picture book that draws myself and my children to the couch for cuddling and reading time! My children have an uncanny knack for spotting packages from our favorite companies, and the very moment that this book arrived in the mail my 11 year old saw the package in my arms and asked to be allowed to open it. She began squealing with delight as soon as she realized what it was. She immediately ran for her favorite reading spot to devour the book, but before she could finish it, her 7 year old brother picked up on the excitement and climbed into her lap so that she could read it to him . . . . and read it to him . . . . and read it to him. By round three, most of the children were piled on the couch as well. Four-year-old David could not wait to get the book all to himself, and as soon as he did, he settled in next to me to "read" it to me. He has decided that he is no longer David but should be called Mr. Pippin, and pored over the pages while commenting in the first person, "Look at me . .. . .I'm just a baby . . . . Oh, I loved that bottle . . . . .That was my favorite honey . . . . .Oh, dear (sinister laugh) - I made a big mess in the kitchen! . . .That is my dog . . . . " and so on.

When I finally got to read it I was as enchanted as the children had been. The Story of Mr. Pippin is the charming true tale of an orphaned baby raccoon raised by the Bluedorn family. The photos in the back are an especially delightful touch. Johannah has done a spectacular job (not that we expected any less!!). This book will make your children laugh, long for a baby racoon of their own, and look to the Creator.