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Copyright @ May, 2017 Papa’s Pets

By Maria Hoskins Illustrated by Rhonda Adams C&V 4 Seasons Publishing Company, LLC Mayflower, Arkansas All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission from the publisher. First Edition. Printed in USA ISBN 978-0-9864036-6-8

Special thanks to Rhonda Adams for encouraging me to write this book and for illustrating this special story. Many thanks to Garbo Hearne, owner of Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing, and her staff, the many libraries, media specialist, and educators who believe in sharing Arkansas Authors with their students and schools; web page designer, Julian White; book designer and illustrator of Christmas Night on the Farm, Lauren Crymes; and editor, Iris William, Butterfly Typeface Publishing. This book is a special presentation to Reverend Alvin “Papa” Gill for being a special part of our lives and to share his special kindness to animals. I hope that readers of this book will find that kindness is a virtue that extends from one’s heart and transcends to its surroundings.

Synopsis: Did you ever know someone with a heart so kind that even the animals have an unconditional bond with that person? Well, Papa’s Pets tell the story of the author’s Papa who has that Dr. Doolittle effect.

The house pets and even some wild woodland animals connect to Papa in such a way that will make you scratch your head in disbelief.

Papa’s Pets is a fictional, but realistic account of a day in Papa Gill and JR the house pet and member of the family’s day. Papa Gill’s kind nature and spirit transcend to the animals and to his community.

Children will be able to understand that true kindness is a virtue that extends from one’s heart to all of one’s surroundings. The book also includes a writing exercise to allow children to write about their own pet experience.

C&V 4 Seasons Publishing Company, LLC, P.O. Box 683, Mayflower, Arkansas 72106.

Text and Illustration Copyright © 2017 by Maria Hoskins

Dedicated to Reverend Alvin “Papa” Gill Papa Gill is one of the nicest most humble men I know. In his humility, if you did not know his accomplishments you would never know unless someone (like me) told you. This story is about one aspect of Papa’s “Dr. Doolittle Effect” enchantment with animals. However, I felt compiled to share just a little biographical information about his life.

Alvin Gill, born to Ruben Gill and Lucy Vaughn-Gill, attended high school at Pine Street High School in Conway, Arkansas. He attended college at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR, but received his BA Degree in Advanced Studies at Cal-Poly in Pomona, CA.

Alvin Gill enlisted in the United States Army and retired with 20 years of service as an MSGT (E-8) and a Combat Engineer taking the lead in searching out ground explosives war zones.

He served combat tours of duty - 2 years in Korea, 1 year in Vietnam, and 1 year in Germany.

Some of his other State-side duties included: conducting basic training classes for new military recruits, instructing the U.S. Army Recruiters School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN; Junior ROTC Instructor at Jordan High School in Los Angeles, CA; completing Primary Helicopter Pilot School in Camp Walters, TX; Boy Scout Master in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; with Honors: Heroism -Civil Star, Soldiers’ Metal, 3 Bronze Stars, 3 Combat Infantry Badges; and many other acts of bravery, integrity, and honor.

After his retirement from the Army and returning to Conway, Arkansas, he married his wife, Berthenia, and accepted with love and kindness, 3 children into his life, Wannetta “Jeannie” (now deceased), Freddy, and Maria.

Alvin Gill later accepted his call to the ministry and pastored Hickory Hill Baptist Church in Morrilton, Arkansas for 17 years. He has also served in many other religious capacities to include Superintendent of Sunday School at Union Baptist Church in Conway, AR and Vice Moderator of the Middlewestern District Association. In addition to Alvin Gill’s religious activities, he has been a counselor, community advocate, volunteer, surrogate father, and driving instructor to International Exchange Students, Bosco and Alan, and many young men while substitute teaching at Mayflower Public Schools, assisting with caring for grand-daughter, Christina, and bringing smiling faces and laughter to his friends at the Mayflower Senior Center, when “Preacher Gill” arrives and enters with a big Ha-ha-he-he!

There is no way I can share the many contributions Rev. Alvin Gill “Papa” has made to this community, state, and nation, but there is one thing I can tell you for sure; he is has shown compassion, understanding, and love to so many, and is dearly loved in return, by his wife, Berthenia, children (and their spouses), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the community. We love you, Papa!

About the Author Maria Hoskins has served as Community Outreach Specialist for the Federal Government for over 15 years and has been employed in the field of community outreach for over 25 years. During her tenure in federal service, she spent ten years as the Senior District Staff for Arkansas’s 2nd Congressional District Congressman, Vic Snyder, until his retirement in January 2011. She is a native of Mayflower, Arkansas and a graduate of Philander Smith College where she received a B.A. in English and Communications. She is married to a loving and supportive husband, Archie, and is blessed to be the mother of two wonderful and special young ladies, Christina and Victoria – named for the princesses they are. She is an active member of the Palarm Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Mayflower, Arkansas. Maria’s goal is to share her childhood memories in the form of stories that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. She has written four other books for children including: My Easter Story; Down Home In Arkansas, A Family Reunion Story, Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dinner, and Christmas Night on the Farm. Through these stories, Maria hopes to remind children that reading and writing canopen doors that allow experiences and memories to come back to life.

We all love our papa, including the animals.

Animals just show up to love papa too.

Papa has a dog named JR. JR is papa’s best friend. JR sits on the arm of papa’s chair every day. They watch TV and take a nap at the same time. Grandma Dede says, “That dogs thinks he’s somebody.”

Papa puts JR in his little old pickup truck, and off they go! JR goes with papa just about everywhere.

When Papa goes to the store, JR goes too.

When Papa goes to the post office, JR goes too.

When Papa feeds the chickens, JR goes too.

Every day, papa gets up early to feed the chickens. JR walks with papa. The cats, Sylvester and Goldie, walk behind JR.

The ducks, Goosey and Lucy, walk behind the cats, and off they go to feed the chickens. Yesterday, as Papa and JR went for a walk to feed the chickens, guess what they found?

A rooster! Where did the rooster come from? No one knew; so, guess what?

Papa has a new pet. Now, when JR and Papa go to the post office, Rocky the rooster goes too.

Papa is so cool! Everyone loves papa! Papa loves his pets, and his pets love papa too!

There is no one more kind than Papa.

We love you and so do JR, Sylvester and Goldie, the cats; Rocky, the rooster; Goosey and Lucy, the ducks; Maxie, the puppy; the chickens, rooster, and all of the wild possums, raccoons, squirrels, deers, and every wild animal that stops by the Gill’s home to see the man named Papa.

About the Illustrator Rhonda Adams, a lover of all things creative, was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and currently residing in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she continues her work as a Gifted and Talented Facilitator of Education. Rhonda attended the Art Institute of Houston and uses her creative abilities to educate students through amazing 3D interactive bulletin board displays. Working on a project for Disney and being able to expose children to creativity on its highest level through Destination Imagination creative problem solving competitions, are just a few of the accomplishments that make Rhonda the creative powerhouse that she is. As an ongoing extension of “All things Creative”, Rhonda enjoys creating paintings that enhance a great story. With Rhonda’s creative passion, this illustrator hopes her work will bring the cute and playful story of Papa’s Pets alive and inspire the love of learning through God’s little creatures and Papa’s relationship with his little friends in a fun and creative way.

Name the animals in the order of the story, and write something about that animal.

Do you have a pet?

What is your pet’s name?

Write a story about your pet.

Draw or add a picture of your pet.