Deer Godchild


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.8 stars; 7 reviews)

A young New-Yorker of twelve heard an appeal for the Fatherless Children of France and his heart was touched. He had no money, but he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy to support a "kid in France." The French child needed ten cents worth of extra food each day, in order to grow up with strength and courage. The little American godfather earned those ten cents; he sold newspapers at the subway entrance, after school hours, and undertook an amazing variety of more or less lucrative odd jobs. Sometimes business was slow, and it was hard to keep up the game; but he did. While the men around him were enlisting, this young New-Yorker did his part for the war effort by "making good" for his deer godchild with a broad and brotherly grin. He was James P. Jackson Jr. and these are his letters to and from Andrée Leblanc. At the time these letters were written in 1917, Andrée lived with her mother in Paris. Her brother was a soldier for France and her father had been killed earlier in the war. (Introduction from the book, by Edith Serrell, edited by MaryAnn) (1 hr 38 min)

Chapters

1 - Introduction and Letters 1-4 13:17 Read by MaryAnn
2 - Letters 5-8 11:16 Read by Phil Chenevert
3 - Letters 9-12 10:18 Read by Phil Chenevert
4 - Letters 13-20 16:00 Read by MaryAnn
5 - Letters 21-25 14:45 Read by Phil Chenevert
6 - Letters 26-30 13:56 Read by kmoore644
7 - Letters 31-33 12:15 Read by Phil Chenevert
8 - Letters 34-36 6:29 Read by Phil Chenevert

Reviews

Humorous and Heartwarming!


(5 stars)

These letters between a French and an American child are filled with humorous misunderstandings of the slang and culture of each country, making them fun to listen to. But the dedication of the "godfather" to his "godchild" and the affection that springs up between the two is very touching. This is a wonderful listen! One section had dead silence in the pauses, making it a bit jarring to listen to, but otherwise the recordings are well done.

Sweet story


(5 stars)

This is a sweet story and a quick one too. I enjoyed the story and the narrators. I thought the story ended a bit abruptly but other than that it is quite charming.

Building a Heart


(5 stars)

Wondrously took one back to childhood, but also thoughts of building two Hearts to eventually and hopefully becoming one.