NEW BOOK SPOTLIGHT: An Interview with Courtney Siebring about LITTLE SPARK OF LIFE

When my son was born at 24-weeks, he was already a little person – a precious gift from God. Weighing in at 1 lb 9oz, he was tiny, to be sure, but he had all his body parts and, as we soon, discovered, a feisty disposition. He was also very sick, so the night he was born he was whisked away to another hospital with a higher level NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and I didn’t get to see him for four long days.

I’ll never forget the moment we were reunited. The minute he heard my voice, he turned his head towards me and when I gently placed my hand in the incubator, he held on to my finger! He knew I was his mama because he’d been right there with me in my belly listening to my voice and hanging out with from the inside. He was himself – even before he was born!

Because this experience so much a part of me, when I read Courtney Siebring’s debut picture book, Little Spark of Life, I got goosebumps. Though it’s not a preemie story, it beautifully celebrates the miracle of life. Told through the lens of a mother conversing with her pre-school aged child as they expectantly await the birth of a new baby, the book is a beautiful introduction to the wonder and miracle of conception through birth. It’s a book I would have a read with my son over and over. Thank you, Courtney, for writing it!

And now, friends, enjoy the book trailer followed by an interview with Courtney with my questions bolded.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey into picture book writing.

 I’ve always written, since I was a child. In school I majored in Theatre and English, and in my twenties I wrote and toured a few solo performances on the Fringe Circuit.  Little Spark of Life is my first picture book and I attribute much of this venture to parenthood.

What inspired you to write Little Spark of Life?

The inspiration for Little Spark of Life came from a few places. It’s written in verse, so my long time practice of writing poetry heavily influenced the style. But in terms of where the actual idea came from, it’s a mashup of my then preschool aged daughter’s obsession with all things pregnancy and childbirth and the journey that my husband and I were delving into with the Pro-Life movement. I was simultaneously looking for age-appropriate books for my daughter about “where babies come from” and binging on content from organizations like Live Action and Students for Life. The poem that I wrote (that later became Little Spark of Life) was to my daughter, but also a response to all that I was learning in my research.

As one rhymer to another, do you find yourself thinking or talking in rhyme in everyday life? How has this shaped your writing, or hasn’t it?

What a great question! I don’t know that I’ve ever stopped to think about it before. Rhyme is something that I enjoy and especially finding rhymes and rhythms that aren’t “easy” or “obvious,” but I can’t say that I think in rhyme.  A lot of the poetry I write, most of it in fact, is free verse, so there is an emphasis on phrasing and cadence, but not rhyme. I am also a voice actor, so phrasing and the “music” of a sentence is something that has become second nature to me.  

 Can you tell us about the illustrator? What was it like seeing your text come to full color with illustrations? Do you have a favorite spread?

I was introduced to Camila Carrossine through this project. It’s so amazing to me that someone in Colorado Springs and someone in Sao Paulo can collaborate in this way. I think Camila did a fantastic job taking the art direction (which I had so much fun detailing!) and bringing it to life.  I had my daughter’s help in choosing the illustrator, which was a highlight for both of us in this process. I love the spread of mom and son cuddled up on the bed, him imagining a marching band drumming to the beat of his sister’s tiny heart.

What would you like readers to take away from this story?

I would love readers to know how purposeful their lives are and what a miracle it was that they came to be.  It’s important for parents to encourage their children’s natural awe and wonder for things that are awe-inspiring and truly wonderful.   I also want to preserve language that is presently under attack and being redefined –  baby, boy, girl – by using such words in their proper context. 

Finally, are there any special resources that go along with the book that readers might enjoy? 

Yes, Paraclete has done an amazing job of putting together resources specifically related to Little Spark of Life – a growth chart, coloring pages, Bible Verse cards, and a guide from me encouraging parents and caregivers to use this book as a jumping off point for some meaningful conversations in their homes.  Learn more here: https://littlesparkoflifebook.com

Thank you so much for joining me here on the blog. Best wishes for a fabulous book launch!

About the Author: Courtney Siebring is a creative artist currently living in Colorado Springs, CO, with her husband and daughter. Her devotion to Christ, background in theatre making, current work as a voiceover artist, and long time practice of writing poetry informs the way she sees and interacts with the world. Her children’s book, Little Spark of Life, is fueled by her passion for the unborn and their mamas as well as her experience as a foster and adoptive parent.