"The Adventures of Sandy Clown" is a tale based on truth that takes your child into the imaginary world of a childhood friendship. It is the clown's story about life with "Sissy," told as Sandy remembers it. In 1947 Pastor Carlson, who was an ordained minister, a public school teacher, a pilot and a licensed carpenter, and his wife Ellen were commissioned by the Baptist General Conference as the BGC's first missionaries to Alaska. The family moved there from Minnesota in 1948. When Sandy Clown becomes part of the Carlson family, he learns that he and Sissy are very much alike. They are both the wiggly, curious type, and a little bit peppery. Sissy and Sandy develop a kind of understanding that is common in such imaginary friendships. Sandy is a delightful friend to Sissy, never failing and loyal to the end. In The Journey Home, Book One, Sissy promises Sandy she will always love him, even if he can't love her. He decides to learn about love and he longs for a heart so he can love Sissy back. After many adventures, however, Sandy realizes that love doesn't come from having a heart; love comes from someone called Heavenly Father. Sandy asks Heavenly Father for love to give to Sissy. In Book Two, Sandy and Sissy grow up in a pioneer world. Daddy and Mother teach the children to be missionaries, and Sandy learns about giving love and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Book Three finds Sandy in quiet retirement, enjoying a special place among the pillows on teen-aged Sissy's bed. Eventually, when Sissy leaves her childhood behind, Sandy spends lonely years in the solitude of Mother's closet where he suffers from melancholy and longs for the affection of a child. Then one day, Mother devises a plan. She carefully takes Sandy apart, making a pattern from his worn and ragged pieces and creates a new Sandy Clown. Sandy discovers that by giving all of himself, he gains more than he ever could imagine. Once again, Sandy belongs to a child. He is given a new name, Clowny, and he is loved by Sissy's four children, John, Scott, Leah and Clint. And after many more adventures, Clowny gives himself in the same way Sandy did. Sandy Clown III finally earns the heart that Sissy's Sandy always wanted. He wears it on his chest to show love and devotion to his new child. Book jacket.