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Douglas Kaine McKelvey

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The Angel Knew Papa And The Dog Kindle Edition

by Douglas Kaine McKelvey (Author), Patricia Lee Gauch (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 232 ratings

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"This book is a small masterpiece." --Cynthia Rylant, Newberry Medal Winner.
A "children's novel for all ages." The perfect family read-aloud.

Without Mama, life in the log house at the forest's edge can be lonely for a young girl. But there's Papa for company, and the two mules, Bartholomew and Thaddeus Frisco, and the big old dog that mysteriously showed up at the end of winter. The girl longs for her mother, but other than that, everything about her little homestead seems right and in its place--that is, until a powerful storm settles over the valley and threatens to take it all away. As the flood waters rise and separate the girl from her papa, will there be anything that can save her?

"The Angel Knew Papa And The Dog" is a lyrically-told tale of a little girl's faith, personal courage, and amazing survival in the wilderness.

Reading age

8 - 18 years
Print length

108 pages
Language

English
Grade level

3 - 10
Publication date

October 22, 2015
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Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. Seven-year-old Evangeline Blake and her father eke out a spare existence in the log cabin built by Papa at the edge of the forest. Their only companions are two mules Papa borrows from a neighbor for plowing and a stray dog that comes and goes. When a flash flood threatens their home, and Papa is accidentally swept away, Evangeline is left alone in the cabin amid the rising waters. Suddenly, an angel appears, calming Evangeline and illuminating the house so that a woman in a rowboat can locate and rescue her. McKelvey's writing is sparse and lyrical, perhaps reflecting his previous efforts as a poet and songwriter. Using a style reminiscent of Cynthia Rylant's, he makes effective use of the element of mysticism and leaves many unanswered questions for readers to ponder. Although audience may be a problem (Evangeline's story will appeal to a much older audience than seven-year-olds), this is a fine piece of writing that should find a niche with sensitive readers. Kay Weisman

From Kirkus Reviews

McKelvey's first children's story is a small jewel. It is narrated by Evangeline (although readers don't know her name until the last line of the book), age seven, who lives a simple but satisfying life with her father in a remote log cabin, until the gentle rhythm of their days is ripped apart by a flood. He is swept downstream, leaving her stranded in the house with water rising fast through the floorboards. That's when she sees the angel. Calmed by its presence, Evangeline finds the wherewithal to hang on until, with the aid of a mule, a faithful old dog, and a woman in a rowboat, she is rescued and reunited with her father. Through careful attention to everyday details, McKelvey builds Evangeline's credibility. She notices things: the way a dog laps up its dinner, the way a mule twitches its ears. When she sees an angel, readers will be ready to believe her. The graceful language only appears simple; there is a disarming precision in the text, and every word belongs exactly where it has been placed. A lovely tale about the mysteries of love and faith. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"This book is a small masterpiece."
--Cynthia Rylant, Newberry Medal Winner

"McKelvey's first children's story is a small jewel...The graceful language only appears simple; there is a disarming precision in the text, and every word belongs exactly where it has been placed."
--Kirkus Reviews (pointer review)

"This story is beautiful--beautiful in a mysterious, hopeful, wise way that gives the reader an assurance that though the waters rise and the night falls there is a great good in the world that hovers over the deep. I loved this book."
--Andrew Peterson, author of The Wingfeather Saga

"McKelvey's writing is sparse and lyrical, perhaps reflecting his previous efforts as a poet and songwriter...this is a fine piece of writing that should find a niche with sensitive readers."
--Kay Weisman, Booklist

"...McKelvey has found poetry in this hardscrabble saga of survival on the knife edge of the frontier. The hint of mysticism only sharpens the real rigors of this story about a father's love and a child's belief."
--Richard Peck, Newberry Medal Winner

"This short, sweet tale of faith reads like a song... McKelvey's words are rich and eloquent; this book would be a great read-aloud after supper while the whole family is gathered together."
--Donna Freedman, Children's Literature

About the Author

The remote descendant of Scottish horse-thieving ancestors, Douglas Kaine McKelvey has already bested the dubious achievements of his predecessors by authoring five published books and penning lyrics for more than 250 songs recorded by a variety of artists including Kenny Rogers, Switchfoot, and Jason Gray. Douglas is currently completing the manuscript for a YA sci-fi/fantasy novel, and writing a soon-to-announced work of nonfiction for Rabbit Room Press. McKelvey was born in New Hampshire and raised in East Texas, but now dwells in the long shadows somewhere south of Nashville with his Norwegianish wife and their three half-Norwegianish daughters who seem (strangely) to grow older with each passing year. He also has a dog. And a beard.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0172I49GI
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Douglas Kaine McKelvey (October 22, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 22, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1042 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 108 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #683,208 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #39 in Children's United States Folk Tales
- #462 in Children's Christian Books (Kindle Store)
- #705 in Children's 1800s American Historical Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.6 232 ratings

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Douglas Kaine McKelvey

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Douglas Kaine McKelvey grew up in East Texas and moved to Nashville in 1991 to participate in the early work of Charlie Peacock’s Art House Foundation, an organization dedicated to a shared exploration of faith and the arts. In the decades since, he has worked as an author, song lyricist, scriptwriter, and video director. He has penned more than 350 lyrics recorded by a variety of artists including Switchfoot, Kenny Rogers, Jason Gray, and Ella Mine. He and his wife Lise have three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and one sparkly-eyed granddaughter.

His books include:

Every Moment Holy Vol 1 (illustrated by Ned Bustard),

The Angel Knew Papa and the Dog (illustrated by Zach Franzen),

Stories We Shared: A Family Book Journal (with Jamin Still),

The Wishes of the Fish King (illustrated by Jamin Still),

Locust Pocus (illustrated by Richard Egielski),

A Child’s Christmas at St Nicholas Circle (art by Thomas Kinkade), and

The Places Beyond the Maps, included in the Wingfeather Tales.

His new collection of liturgies, Every Moment Holy Vol 2: Death, Grief & Hope, is available for pre-order at www.everymomentholy.com and will release February 12, 2021.

Douglas is currently working on a fantasy novel set in America in the late 1800's, and on a YA sci-fi series. He is also developing an original board game.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

232 global ratings

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Rob Natiuk

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TRUST THIS REVIEW about heroes, bravery, sadness, hope -- wonderful book for all ages.

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2015

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Please don't trust this review! Because I'm predisposed to being attracted by hero-like dogs, motherless girls, wilderness cabins, wild storms, peaceful AND roaring rivers, calm and frightening woods, and prose that lilts almost like poetry. And first-person storytelling by children -- done well, that can be insightful and gripping. And this book is written to do just that.

The hero mule in the story is named Thaddeus Frisco, and I loved him/her/it dearly. The dog is called Lewis and Clark. He's a visiting dog -- comes by and stays every couple of days. And the angel? That's handled so well, just a touch here and there. After all, that's enough from an angel.

But that terrible horrible raging storm! And the river. All attacking that little cabin in the woods. I just couldn't stop reading until I finished. Fortunately, it was short book, yet just the right length. The ending was both sad and happy. And we discover that the angel was really really real -- if you believed the girl...and I did.

3 people found this helpful

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KRingg

Truth, Honesty, and Beauty

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2022

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To paraphrase Andrew Peterson, I’m most moved by art the exudes truth, honesty, and beauty. Just as with his “The Places Beyond the Maps”, Douglas Kaine McKelvey’s small gem “The Angel Knows Papa and the Dog” is chock full of all three. It’s a quick, easy read that leaves a lasting impact.

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Stephen

I happily recommend this book

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2016

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I happily recommend this book. It is a good story the whole family can enjoy, written from the perspective of the young girl in the midst of this tale of survival; I'd especially recommend it if you have young daughters - I think it makes for a good book to read out loud together. I love the characters in this story, including the animals which play a large part. This book kept me turning the pages, and the end was satisfying, while at the same time, being open (and it seems, even deliberately hinting) to future tales. Whether its continuing the adventures of the characters in this book, or something completely different, I'd welcome more stories by Douglas Kaine McKelvey; the sooner the better.

7 people found this helpful

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Barbara Mojica

A GUIDING HAND

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2016

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A heartwarming tale of love, faith and heartbreak narrated by a charming, sweet girl named Evangelina Elizabeth Blake. Living at the edge of the woods in a small log cabin by the river, she works hard alongside her father to farm the land, borrowing a neighbor's mules to help them plow. Evangelina has lost her mother; she takes delight in nature and the few books her father has managed to purchase for her to read. One of her favorite stories from the Bible is Noah's flood; this foreshadows the adventure that will follow.

When Evangelina is six, a huge dog rescues her from a serpent which appears during a thunderstorm. She names the dog, Lewis and Clark because he likes to explore and frequently disappears. Not long after, a flood overtakes the area and Evangelina's father is swept away while trying to rescue one of the mules. She is terribly frightened as the cabin is flooded. An angel carrying a lantern appears to guide her. The young girl hears Lewis and Clark barking. A woman named Mary rows to her and pulls her into the boat. Taking her downstream, Evangelina is gratified to learn that her father is alive, but seriously injured. Is Evangelina dreaming? What will her future bring?

This book is well written in almost a lyrical style. The reader empathizes with the carefully crafted characters and is swept up in the adventure. I would consider this less than one hundred page book perfect for middle grade readers, but teens and adults will enjoy it as well. Look forward to reading more by this author.

6 people found this helpful

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Shaula Holt

loved this quaint little book!

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2022

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Loved it! What an adventure for a little girl and her Papa with such a joyous reunion
There are angels who know us.

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Sally J. Price

Beautiful little masterpiece

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021

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Short but so beautifully written. Overflowing descriptions of a cabin, a forest, a river, and the world through the eyes of a papa and a child

One person found this helpful

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jennifer

Not bad

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020

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Well, it is a heartwarming read, which can be done in one sitting. It is a nice little story. 2.5 stars.

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020

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I loved the father daughter relationship in this book. The father was not infallible, but he knew how to love. The writing style and the characters remind me so much of Cynthia Rylant and Wendell Berry. Looking forward to a sequel, please Douglas Kaine McKelvey!

One person found this helpful

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Dodo

Poetische, spirituelle Erzählung für ältere Kinder und Erwachsene

Reviewed in Germany on October 30, 2016

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Letztlich geht es in McKelveys Erzählung um ein Wunder, das einem kleinen Mädchen geschieht. Es bleibt den Lesern durchaus überlassen, zu entscheiden, ob wirklich ein Engel dafür verantwortlich ist oder ob das, was die Kleine bedingt durch ihre christliche Erziehung als Engel interpretiert, vielleicht auch etwas anderes gewesen sein kann. Das Wunder bleibt.
Um den Genuss beim ersten Lesen nicht zu nehmen und keineswegs zu spoilern, nur ein paar grundlegende Worte zum Inhalt:
Nach dem Tod der Mutter leben Vater und Tochter zusammen auf und von einer sehr kleinen Farm am Ufer eines Flusses irgendwo im amerikanischen Westen, wo sie ab und zu Besuch von einem Hund bekommen, der niemanden zu gehören scheint und immer nur ein paar Tage bei ihnen bleibt.
Dann schwillt eines Tages der Fluss mehr und mehr an...

Geschrieben in einem schlichten, aber keineswegs platten, sondern sehr poetischen Stil. Der eine Punkt Abzug nur, weil die Erzählung (beurteilt nach meiner persönlichen Leseerfahrung) am Ende noch mehr Potential hatte, das leider nicht ausgeschöpft wird.

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