Pilipinto's Happiness: The Jungle Childhood of Valerie Elliot

by Valerie Elliot Shepard, Jim Howard (Illustrator)

Valerie Elliot Shepard was 10 months old when a primitive tribe of Ecuadorian Indians made a martyr of her 29-year-old father -- Jim Elliot -- and his four Wheaton College classmates. But that didn't stop Valerie and her mother Elisabeth from moving to live with those same savage Auca Indians to complete the Elliot family's evangelical to eclipse the tribe's savagery with the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Pilipinto's Happiness relates this amazing story of redemption through the eyes of the Elliots' only child, Valerie, who shares her memories as a young girl growing up in the Amazon jungle with the Quichua and Auca tribes. Read in colorful detail how the Indians, their language, and even the dangerous jungle elements created a delightful playground for Valerie to learn to trust God's hand and respect the simplest of His gifts. More than just a picture-book, Pilipinto's Happiness is a powerful tool to familiarize young people, college students, and adults alike -- too often starved for Christian heroes and heroines -- with powerful models in the faith who demonstrated reckless abandon for the Kingdom of God.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, History, Biography

57 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2012

About the author

Valerie Elliot Shepard is the only child of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, missionaries to the Quichua and Auca Indians (now called "Waodani," which means "the people") of the Amazon Jungle. Her father Jim, along with four other men, was speared to death in 1956 as they sought to reach the Aucas with the Gospel. After Jim's death, Elisabeth and Valerie continued to live with the Quichuas until they were invited to live with the tribe that had killed Jim. They ministered to the Aucas for two years as Elisabeth and another missionary, Rachel Saint, learned to speak the language and shared the story of Jesus with them. Many Aucas converted to Christ as a result, abandoning their savage ways.

Valerie returned with her mother to the U.S. in 1963, and has been married to Walter Shepard for 36 years. Walt and Valerie have eight children together, whom they have homeschooled, and lead active lives of Christian ministry. They currently reside in Southport, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Jonathan Greathouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only a delightful read for children but also a historically accurate one. The narrative is exceptionally well-written, making it engaging for both kids and adults alike. The book is adorned with beautifully illustrated and painted pictures that enhance the storytelling experience.

In terms of physical quality, Pilipinto stands out with its hardback cover and high-quality paper. It spans 55 pages, neatly divided into 10 chapters, making it an excellent choice for nightly reading sessions with your child.

This book was given to me by P&R Publisher and this is my honest review.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the amazing opportunity to meet Elisabeth Elliott when I was in college . This book has been enjoyed in our home for many years , now . Imagine your backyard being not only your temporary home , but also your mission field .

[Lisa Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Great for someone wanting to learn about the missionary life, especially from a child’s perspective. Could be used as a homeschool chapter book. A bedtime story, read a chapter a day.
Love the pictures, colorful and eye catching. The real photos help generate a connection to the the storyteller.
Worth the read!

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet kid's book about Elisabeth Elliot's daughter and growing up in Ecuador.

[Eleanor Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilipinto’s Happiness—I LOVED Valerie Shepard’s autobiographical perspective on this small slice of her life. As a child, she was called Pilipinto, meaning “butterfly,” because of her habit of flitting around the village. The memories of her childhood, living among the very Indians who killed her father and other missionaries, give a great deal of insight on the dedication of two women and a child to live among a potentially dangerous people. Pilipinto adjusted easily to very different surroundings. The natural world—monkeys, snakes, edible insects, the jungle. The cultural world—strange food and language, lack of privacy, creative play activities. The spiritual world—living out the gospel and learning to trust God totally. Pilipinto’s own sense of trust flowed from her mother, who had intentionally chosen to live among these primitive people. The act of placing herself in God’s hands not only gave this woman courage in a dangerous environment, it also helped her child trust God, even in hard places. Pilipinto met a snake one day while walking alone through the jungle but chose to move quietly past, her heart beating fast.

In this book, the grown-up Valerie has captured the bright, busy mind of the child whose world was filled with color and life and joyful interaction. The illustrations are charming and underscore the beauty of such a life. A delightful book. Well done, Pilipinto!

Valerie Elliot Shepard

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book of a girl who lived in a remarkable place, who had remarkable parents, and who believed in a remarkable God! The story was fascinating and lively, with snippets of wisdom for children and parents.