This is an interesting book with some positives and negatives. It felt special when I began reading it.

Like a window into the privacies of childhood rambling.

I enjoyed that.

Dave has a conscience. This is good.

The hermit reads and rereads the Bible and Shakespeare and says that is all he needs.

He is a friend to all animals (except two)

The hermit asks Dave to keep his presence a secret. It is not good for an adult to ask children to keep secrets.

On page 53 the hermit mentions scalping but is not discriptive.

Pg 54 mentions killing (this did not happen but is mentioned)

I think if you look at this book as solitary people and animals wanting companionship on their own terms you will find this book as beautiful as I did.

Certainly I’m not crying over an old storybook cat.

Certainly not.

rating- 4/5 naps in a sunny window.