Martin, P: Hark and Harold Angel Sing

In this story, two angels are the best of friends. They've been that way since anyone can remember. And, the friendship has helped them both. Hark was extremely shy. He never spoke in public. He only whispered his thoughts to Harold. Harold, not in the least bit shy, blew his horn -- loud and long -- whenever Hark had anything to say. There was just one problem. Harold was terrible with the horn. There was nothing joyful about his noise.

But, as the years passed, changes occurred. And, it's those changes that created this memorable story about friendship.

Just like with my previous book, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy - All the Days of My Life, this story was inspired by a sermon. In a talk about angels, my pastor talked about how kids say the darndest things. (If that reminds you of Art Linkletter, you know you are old.) Anyway, one little boy said he only knew the names of two angels, Hark and Harold. Hey, you never know when or where inspiration for a book is going to strike. I knew immediately that there was a story there.

I love the main theme of this book. Hopefully, we all have people in our lives who support us, believe in us, and encourage us along the way. Neither Hark nor Harold would have reached their full potential if the other hadn't believed in them. My Hark, or Harold, was always my mother who believed in my art for as long as I can ber. When I look at my early drawings, I'm not sure how that was possible. Anyway, this particular book has what I consider the best illustrations out of all of my books, so far.