Every porcine wonder was once a piglet! Celebrate the joy of a new arrival with this endearing picture-book prequel to the New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson series. Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive — and the Watsons’ lives will never be the same.

This work began with the taking of notes on insights and observations derived from contemplation of the Bible, my own life, and the death of my sister. The writings were initially oriented toward the composition of a filmscript, whose purpose was to depict, abstractly, scenes common to the lives of all mankind from birth to death. In February of 1984, well over a year into this project, these lyrics began to pour forth from me. Three-quarters of them were finished before the end of the month. During this period of my life, I underwent an intense conversion to purity of soul. I immersed myself in the practice of all the artistic mediums, including painting and sculpture, poetry, music, dance, and drama. Striving to be an artist for Christ, my life became as a cross between graduate student, monk, and convict. This way of living and working continued for seven years and resulted in the creation of the large manuscript, Songs for Children of Light: Ten Albums of Lyrics, Music, Dance, and Drama. In this volume, I present the lyric portion of the project with accompanying illustrations. May the Light of the Spirit be with you as you read the words herein. James Kurt June 23, 1995

"A handbook for compassion... a Must-Read Music Book.” —Rolling Stone Country "Generous and big-hearted, Gauthier has stories to tell and worthwhile advice to share." —Wally Lamb, author of I Know This Much Is True "Gauthier has an uncanny ability to combine songwriting craft with a seeker’s vulnerability and a sage’s wisdom.” —Amy Ray, Indigo Girls From the Grammy nominated folk singer and songwriter, an inspiring exploration of creativity and the redemptive power of song Mary Gauthier was twelve years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to. Today, Gauthier is a decorated musical artist, with numerous awards and recognition for her songwriting, including a Grammy nomination. In Saved by a Song, Mary Gauthier pulls the curtain back on the artistry of songwriting. Part memoir, part philosophy of art, part nuts and bolts of songwriting, her book celebrates the redemptive power of song to inspire and bring seemingly different kinds of people together.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1872.