The Angel of Mill Street

by Frances Ward Weller, Robert J. Blake (Illustrator)

Little Frances Rosalie awaits the arrival of Uncle Ambrose with his eloquent fiddle and songs about angels, but when he does not show up for Christmas Eve, Frances Rosalie prays for a miracle to bring him home--a miracle that turns out to be a great, black dog.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 1998

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances Rosalie Murphy worries for her fun-loving musician uncle in this lovely Christmas picture book, concerned that the ever-deepening snow will prevent him from reaching home safely. As she and her sisters and mother make their Christmas Eve preparations, and the weather grows ever more terrible, Uncle Ambrose, cumbered by a crippled leg, tries to make his way home through the snow. Falling and unable to get up, he is aided by a massive brown dog—perhaps an angel?—who helps him up and guides him home, before disappearing back into the snow, never to be seen again...

Apparently based upon a family legend related by author Frances Ward Weller's grandmother, The Angel of Mill Street pairs an engaging story with beautiful artwork from illustrator Robert J. Blake, who also worked with Weller on an earlier picture book, Riptide . I appreciated the way in which Rosalie's story played out in the text, while Uncle Ambrose' experiences were told exclusively through the illustrations, until the two narratives "met up" and became one. As someone who loves wintry vistas, I thought that the artwork itself was gorgeous, perfectly capturing the beauty and ferocity of a winter storm. Recommended to picture book readers looking for heartwarming family stories (with a miracle or two thrown in) set at Christmastime.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story takes place in a mill town in the late 1800's. On a cold, snowy Christmas Eve young Frances Rosalie awaits the arrival of her uncle. While the text tells us how Frances Rosalie worries as it gets later, the snow gets deeper and still her uncle doesn't arrive, the illustrations show the reason for the delay and what's happening with him.
The illustrations do a great job conveying the night's coldness. The writing isn't remarkable but does portray the times fairly well. What makes this story special, for me, is the author's note which implies that the Frances Rosalie of the story was her grandmother and that the events actually happened.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances Rosalie awaits her Uncle Ambrose’s arrival every Christmas Eve, because Uncle Ambrose fills the house with song, stories and warmth. But on one particular Christmas Eve, during a terrible snowstorm, it seems Uncle Ambrose won’t make it because of his bad leg. But a large dog comes to Ambrose’s aid.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowledge is power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story with wonderful illustrations about a young girl waiting for her beloved uncle to come home on Christmas Eve and the guardian angel that showed the way.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/13/22 Read with Andres

[Buddy Eades · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations should be shown while reading

[Erzsi Bloemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated children's book has remained on my shelves, on has not been boxed up for storage. It's a good read for a gray day. The Newfoundland dog in the story has the watchfulness that I have noticed in my own Newfie.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story; great illustrations: the text tells what the family is doing while they are waiting for Uncle Ambrose to arrive; the pictures show what is happening to Uncle Ambrose.