Mrs. Goodhearth and the Gargoyle

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

A lonely rooftop gargoyle is excited when Mrs. Goodhearth moves into
Great House. He tries to catch her attention by shaking the branches of
crabapple trees and dropping acorns. When Mrs. Goodhearth spies his
reflection in her cup of tea, she joins in the game and leaves behind a
silver spoon. As the seasons change, the elderly woman stops coming
outside. Feeling abandoned, the Gargoyle reluctantly returns to his
ledge and resolves to “let the birds nest between his ears and the
icicles form on his chin. He would be as still as sadness.” In the
spring, Mrs. Goodhearth revives their relationship and entices him to
come inside.

Wendy Bailey’s acrylic illustrations reflect the unusual, surreal
atmosphere of the story. Many scenes are drawn from the Gargoyle’s
perspective as he peers down at the world below. The pot-bellied,
bulbous-nosed stone carving is a sympathetic creature. With a fun-loving
spirit, he spins the weather vane like a top and twirls spoons between
his toes. Just like the Gargoyle himself, this friendship tale is oddly
endearing. Recommended.