This week it was my pleasure to be interviewed by podcast host Terrie Hellard-Brown. Her podcast, Books that Spark, reviews children’s books that spark imagination, emotion, questions, and discussion leading to teachable moments with our kids. Her podcast posts each Tuesday morning.
Terrie has interviewed many authors including Crystal Bowman, Annette Whipple, Glenys Nellist and more. Recent topics include Teaching our Children to Pray and How to Disciple Our Children. And in our podcast we chat about Helping Children Delight in God’s Word.
Here are a couple of visual nuggets to whet your appetite. And here is a link to the podcast. And here’s a link to the transcript if you prefer to read. Enjoy!
One of the joys of having a new book out is getting to do special things like chat on these two family-friendly podcasts. Here’s a little bit about each podcast followed by links for easy listening.
First. it was my pleasure to be interviewed by podcast host Andrew Jackson for his children’s story time program, StoryJumpers, a bi-weekly Christian podcast that features a children’s book read by the author and an interview with the author. The episode which features HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD (Paraclete Press) aired, Friday, December 9th, 2022 over at www.wearethebridge.org a community supported, non-commercial Christian radio station serving Delaware, South Jersey, parts of Maryland and beyond.
Thank you, Andrew, for being such a great host! I had a wonderful time. Here’s the link:
TIP: Just listen and enjoy, or for an ever richer experience, grab a copy of the book so your little ones can enjoy the pictures as I read.
Second, on Friday I was the featured guest on the fun and lively Collide Kids Podcast. Per host Christen Clark’s description, “The Collide Kids Podcast is a show for kids and families were fun and faith COLLIDE! We will get to know friendly, interesting people who can teach us something new. Our goal for every episode is to help kids discover they are loved by God!”
Her guests include people from wide variety of professions and I’m honored to have been part of her line-up. Christen Clark is also fun and funny which makes for a great podcast vibe!
A few years ago, I had on my heart to write a counting story for littlest ones inspired by one of my favorite parables from the New Testament. I had always loved this particular parable because it was a visual and comforting reminder to me that no matter how far I wandered, or even if I lost my way, God would always be there – not just waiting for me, but actively seeking to bring me back to Him. I also loved this particular parable because it had sheep.
If you know my books, you’ve probably figured out that the book that was on my heart to write was LITTLE EWE. And my hope from the beginning for this particular book was that it would serve as a creative, playful way to introduce children to our Shepherd’s amazing love through the eyes of one fictional little lamb.
In the summer of 2019, the book was accepted for publication by Naomi Krueger, acquisitions editor at Beaming Books. I was thrilled and had lots of questions for her. I asked things like who would the illustrator be? Would there be any revisions? What was the anticipated publication date? But one thing I never outrightly asked, but have always wondered, was if she had the same deep hope for the book as I did.
Well, last week, I got my answer, when I was invited by Picture Book Look Podcast hosts Kim Chaffee and Kirsti Call to participate in a special chat about LITTLE EWE with my editor, Naomi Krueger! I’ve done podcasts and radio interviews before, but never a joint one like this. Kim and Kirsti asked great questions and I LOVED hearing about Naomi’s process and thoughts in acquiring and then bringing the book to fruition. I hope you will take a listen. (It’s under 16 minutes.) Here’s the link.
But even if you don’t have time right this minute so listen to the whole episode, here’s an “audio pinch” (a new phrase for me) from the interview in which we talk about our hopes for the book. And guess what? We did share the same vision for the book from the beginning and am moved by the depth of her response to the question.
Thank you, Naomi, for acquiring this story, and to the whole team at Beaming Books, along with illustrator Tommy Doyle, for bringing it to life so charmingly. And thank you to Kim and Kirsti at Picture Book Look for interviewing us. I hope LITTLE EWE is enjoyed by sheep of all ages (and their shepherds) for years to come.
Interested in adding a copy to your home, school, or church library? It’s available wherever books are sold.
Happy Friday, friends! Bunny and I have five fun things to share with you this week. First, if you live in the Bedminster, NJ area, I invite you to join me at Pluckemin Presbyterian’s annual Eggstravaganza taking place this Sunday, April 10th from 11:15 – 1 pm. Here are the details. No registration required. There will be copies of BUNNY FINDS EASTER on hand for purchase. Cash or check only.
Next, here are two interviews you might enjoy. The first is over at Read,Discuss, DO! where I chat with Mindy Baker about the inspiration behind the book, the board book format, book-themed activities and more. The second is a feature article that appeared this week in my town’s TapInto news outlet. This the one to read to get the inside scoop on what the journey to publication in the picture book world has been like (at least for me).
Fourth, I am the guest author today over at StoryJumpers, a bi-weekly Christian podcast that features a children’s book read by the author and an interview with the author. The podcast airs today, April 8th, 2022 over at The Bridge Podcast Network, part of The Bridge, a community supported, non-commercial Christian radio station serving Delaware, South Jersey, parts of Maryland and beyond. Here’s the link to the BUNNY FINDS EASTER episode.
Finally, just in case you missed it, I thought you’d like to see the Easter bonnet I created, with the help of my daughter, to wear to all my visits. It’s getting a lot of smiles because I look so silly, er I mean, beautiful wearing it! It’s just like Bunny’s from the book. What do you think? (This is from one of my zoom visits this Easter season.)
So many fun things to share this week as Bunny hops her way towards Easter. First, be sure to check out this fresh-off-the-press review for BUNNY FINDS EASTER from author Rebecca Gomez. She’s a real stickler for rhyme… and she loved it! (Phew.) And this cute little fella weighed in as well. Isn’t he darling? Here’s the link: https://www.rebeccajgomez.com/2022/03/review-bunny-finds-easter-by-laura.html
Also, last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mel Rosenberg for his “You’ve Got Mel” podcast. Enjoy it and all his other interviews with children’s authors on the New Book Network. Here’s the link: https://newbooksnetwork.com/bunny-finds-easter
Finally, Zonderkidz is sponsoring a 25 book giveaway of BUNNY FINDS EASTER on Goodreads. Be sure to enter. While you are there, please add the book to your “to-read” list. That will help others to discover it. And after you read it, or any of my books, if you could also leave a review, that would be wonderful. Good or bad, every review helps. Thank you! Here’s the link to the giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/340275-bunny-finds-easter
Recently, it was my pleasure to be interviewed by podcast host Andrew Jackson for his children’s story time program, StoryJumpers, a bi-weekly Christian podcast that features a children’s book read by the author and an interview with the author. The podcast airs today, January 14th, 2022 over at The Bridge Podcast Network, part of The Bridge, a community supported, non-commercial Christian radio station serving Delaware, South Jersey, parts of Maryland and beyond.
Today’s episode features my picture book LOVE IS KIND (Zonderkidz, 2018) about Little Owl who wants to show his grammy how much he loves her by buying her a heart-shaped box of chocolates, but his efforts are thwarted at every step. In the end, he learns that love and kindness can be shown in many ways and that HE is the gift when he is kind and loving towards others — a gift much better than chocolate.
Thank you, Andrew, for being such a great host! I had a wonderful time. Here’s the link:
Laura Sassi Tales 