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Mr. Pipes and
Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation
Second book in the Mr.
Pipes series by: Douglas Bond
Written by: Douglas Bond
Illustrations by: Ron Harris
Reviewed by: Hannah DeLadurantey
In Douglas Bond’s first book, Mr. Pipes and the British
Hymn Makers, Mr. Pipes, a devout Christian living in England, evangelizes
to two young American children who are summer vacationing in England, named;
Annie and Drew. After Annie and Drew go back to their home in America, Mr.
Pipes continues to develop his relationship with the two youngsters by sending
them hymns to learn and thoughts to ponder. As you may gather from the titles
from Bonds Mr. Pipes series, Mr. Pipe’s, Annie and Drew develop a budding
relationship over hymnody and psalmody that only blooms more deeply in this
second volume entitled; Mr. Pipes and
Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation.
This book exudes the power and majesty of hymns in a very
easy, delightful, and creative way, which is perfect since it was written for
young readers!
Bond interweaves very artfully, the tales of many hymn
writers while Pipes, Annie and Drew tour Europe. The book is divided up into 12
chapters, where 10 out the 12 chapters focus on a different Reformation hymn
writer; Luther, Nicolai, Altenburg, Heermann, Gerhardt, Franck, Neander,
Rinkart, Schutz, and Calvin.
But, Bond does not stop there! Instead, he craft fully adds
other dimensions to the story by weaving in various historical and
architectural discoveries that Pipes shares with Annie and Drew. E.g. History
of Westminster Abbey, purpose behind Gothic Architecture etc.
And not to forget mentioning that you can practice reading
your French and German in Bond’s book, since Pipes speaks both languages in
various occasions while touring outside of England…..A Dieu!
There were a few small words, references and phrases I wished
Bond would have left out; fairy tales and eye rolling were mentioned twice,
“what a bummer”, “ what on
earth are you doing?” dirty rotten thief, creeps and cabbage head as well as
kraut breath are words used to address two bully’s that are throwing rocks at
Pipes Annie and Drew. Drew is gently reprimanded for using the ungodly language
when Pipes reads a hymn that addresses our language, so that is good, and Drew
does repent of his ungodly speech, but I’d still rather not have that type of
language in a book for children. We’re sinners enough, we don’t need any other
words and phrases added to our mental vocabulary, even if we do know they are
bad. You never know when they might come out!
