Children’s author Valerie Fentress and I have something special in common: We both have faith-based Easter Bunny books that released last spring! And today, in celebration of books that point kids to Jesus at Easter, I am delighted to have Valerie as my guest sharing FIVE FUN FACTS about her book An Easter Bunny’s Tale.
Here’s the official description:
Follow a little rabbit, as he discovers a familiar voice in a garden one night. The man is God in the flesh, of this he is sure, and he cannot help but follow him. The little rabbit is confused as He is captured and put on trial. Then as he hides and waits he discovers the true source of transformation. Now he can’t wait to tell you and his friends about the good news he has found. Will you listen to his tale?
Doesn’t that sound like a creative way to introduce little ones to the Easter story? And now, learn more about Valerie’s book as she shares five fun facts about its creation. Take it away, Valerie!
Five Fun Facts about An Easter Bunny’s Tale with Valerie Fentress
Fact #1: I grew up with the Easter Bunny visiting my home, but when it came time to start making traditions in our young family I struggled with the idea of the Easter Bunny. As I wrestled with how to celebrate Easter with my family and the character of the Easter Bunny, I started to wonder how the bunny we see everywhere could communicate the truth of Easter. This was almost twelve years ago, and the words of this story didn’t come to me till six years ago. This has been a heart project that has grown and stretched my faith in so many ways.
Fact #2: Originally, I wrote and illustrated this for an Easter gift for my nieces and nephews during the COVID shutdown. The book went through a lot of revisions from 2020 to 2022, as God moved my heart to obey his calling to tell stories that speak his truth.
Fact #3: I went through three different illustrators before I found one. My Illustrator, Bebqui, is from Indonesia, and not of a Christian background. Which led to some sweet and faith-stretching conversations for me.
Fact #4: My Illustrator and I had to rework many of the illustrations two months before the book went to print, because of some Beta reader responses. It was so stressful, but I felt that I was honoring God in the changes I made to ensure the Gospel wouldn’t be hindered by anyone reading the book.
Fact #5: My favorite line in the whole book is when Jesus picks up the dirty bunny after Jesus’ resurrection. It says, “His nail-torn hands scooped me up. He didn’t fear the mud and the muck.” It is the sweetest truth that even while we were sinners, Christ died for us. He didn’t wait for us to ‘fix’ ourselves or get ‘cleaned up’. (Here is a portion of that illustration.)
Thank you, Valerie, for giving us an inside peek into the heart behind your story. I hope this Easter Bunny finds his way into many, many Easter baskets.
BIO: Valerie Fentress writes children’s books, hoping to communicate biblical truths through simple stories. She is the author of Beneath the Hood: a retelling woven with biblical truth, and the Host of Again and Again Author interviews on Instagram and YouTube. Valerie lives with her husband and three boys, who challenge her daily to find joy between imagination and chaos. You can find out more about her and her thoughts at www.valeriefentress.com
Laura Sassi Tales 
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