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The Blessing of Beasts
As a young roach, Francesca was warned against
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
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
“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.
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
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
“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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Ethel Pochocki
41 books8 followersEthel Frances Pochocki was a children's book author living in Brooks, Maine.
She developed a passion for books and writing working at the New York City Public Library. While raising eight children, she turned to writing in the early morning hours. Her writing career began when she won an essay writing contest about her experience taking in inner city kids with the Fresh Air Project in New York City. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she contributed numerous essays and poems to the leading Catholic publications of the time. Her award winning books include her collaborations with Maine illustrator Mary Beth Owens, such as The Gazebo, Penny for a Hundred and Rosebud and Red Flannel. She also collaborated with award winning illustrator Barry Moser on Blessing of the Beasts and The Mushroom Man.
Her contributions to children's literature were recognized by the Maine Library Association with the 2008 Katahdin Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 1991 Lupine Award for outstanding childrens literature. Her classic, Penny for a Hundred, was designated a notable book of 1996 by the Smithsonian Magazine.
She developed a passion for books and writing working at the New York City Public Library. While raising eight children, she turned to writing in the early morning hours. Her writing career began when she won an essay writing contest about her experience taking in inner city kids with the Fresh Air Project in New York City. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she contributed numerous essays and poems to the leading Catholic publications of the time. Her award winning books include her collaborations with Maine illustrator Mary Beth Owens, such as The Gazebo, Penny for a Hundred and Rosebud and Red Flannel. She also collaborated with award winning illustrator Barry Moser on Blessing of the Beasts and The Mushroom Man.
Her contributions to children's literature were recognized by the Maine Library Association with the 2008 Katahdin Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 1991 Lupine Award for outstanding childrens literature. Her classic, Penny for a Hundred, was designated a notable book of 1996 by the Smithsonian Magazine.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 23, 2020
I had the honor of knowing Ethel personally back in the day. She was an amazing person and such a loving spirit and I miss her. This is a beautiful book - both her words and words and the illustrations by Barry Moser. Recommend highly.
December 19, 2017
So lovely, so fun, so true.
December 3, 2020
This stunning interpretation of the usual service offers a new perspective, with magnificent engraved illustrations! Don't miss it!!!
July 25, 2022
I loved this book and I’m excited to use it as a read aloud this year!
June 19, 2015
This is a beautifully illustrated book -- the drawings are elegant and rich, but still interesting to young eyes. In this book a cockroach and a skunk make their way to the blessing of the animals at a church uptown in New York City. They face dangers getting there, and don't know if they'll be accepted once they do, but are still curious enough to push ahead. It's a sweet story, religious, but not overly so, and elegantly told -- something about it seems more like old fashioned picture books and children's stories, but it's really modern at the same time. A lovely read.
July 26, 2015
Animal lovers will enjoy this sweet story about acceptance and friendship and compassion, as it encourages us to appreciate all of God's creatures, not just the cute and cuddly ones.
The illustrations are lovely colored engravings, some of them perfect enough to be framed and hung in a gallery.
The illustrations are lovely colored engravings, some of them perfect enough to be framed and hung in a gallery.
July 27, 2016
The illustrations/engravings in this book are stunning and it is worth a read just to study those. I also appreciated this sweet story and the reminder that all things are something of worth in the sight of God or the universe or whatever you believe in.
November 4, 2010
I thought this was the best book I ever read!!!
July 27, 2011
This book was so cute and made me emotional. For a kids book it has real charm and depth, a beautiful moral, and artistic illustrations. The characters feel pure and good.
March 1, 2013
Love this! Will be one of my favorites to read to my kids.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews