Peg Leg Pete by Mel Ellis

The last book I read, I did so reluctantly. The book? Peg Leg Pete by Mel Ellis. I found this book at my local library and actually checked it out for my husband to read. He likes books about the outdoors, so I picked this one up with him in mind.

Mel Ellis was a syndicated columnist for The Milwaukee Journal and wrote several books and short stories based on his life at Little Lakes, his home in Wisconsin. Peg Leg Pete details the story of a duck and his relationship with the Ellis family. The duck comes into their lives injured from a muskrat trap, and Ellis is forced to amputate the bird's damaged leg, hence his name. What follows is the story of Pete's incredible journey of rehabilitation mixed with Ellis's observations and philosophy regarding the natural world.

While not the most thrilling reading, I did find Ellis's descriptions of Little Lakes to be enchanting, and the lessons the family learns from Peg Leg Pete are heartwarming in a Disney sort of way. Oddly enough, in researching Mel Ellis I found that a few of his stories were, indeed, turned into Wonderful World of Disney features in the late 1970's (remember those?).

If you are interested in reading some of Ellis's work, check out this article by Faith B. Miracle from the Wisconsin Academy Revue.