This week it was my pleasure to be interviewed by podcast host and Christian author Lee Ann Mancini on the Raising Christian Kids Podcast. With a new episode airing each Tuesday, the Raising Christian Kids Podcastis geared to parents, grandparents, teachers, ministry leaders, and all who are raising the next generation to have a strong foundation in Jesus.
Here’s the teaser for this week’s interview:
During this episode, Laura discusses her heartwarming books and the valuable resources that accompany them. She shares her passion for connecting children with God’s love through her books and offers insightful tips on helping families incorporate biblical concepts into their children’s lives.
Earlier this month I was delighted to be interviewed by Sue Irwin at Write2Ignite, a vibrant Christian community that provides education, inspiration, and encouragement to Christians who write for children and young adults. Their offerings include semi-annual Master Classes, online resources and devotions to help grow your faith and writing skills, a monthly newsletter, social media encouragement and… a blog!
Today I am delighted to be interviewed by Christian children’s author Crystal Bowman with FIVE fun questions about MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK. Crystal Bowman is the best-selling author of over 100 Christian books for children. Her books are well-loved for their easy-to-understand lessons on family and Bible values including her most recent Our Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Exodus. What a treat to be interviewed. Thank you, Crystal!
Interested in purchasing a copy or downloading the free printables that go with MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK? Find links to vendors and the printables at mytenderheartbooks.com.
Last Wednesday, it was my pleasure to be interviewed by Canadian radio host Care Baldwin for her program, The Wednesday Bookmark, a weekly show that celebrates books. I had a wonderful time chatting about MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK and would be so honored if you listened. Care did a great job asking questions and I feel like this interview (and it’s not long) really captures my heart in writing this book. If you do watch/listen, please let me know your reaction in the comments below. Thank you, friends!
The interview aired September 6th, 2023 at 4:30 EST on Family Radio CHRI 99.1 fm, a Canadian Christian family radio station. To listen access the audio link press here.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider subscribing to my blog using the subscribe button in the footer or sidebar. I post once or twice weekly with book news, inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.
Mornings have always been my favorite time of day. The chirping birds and the rising sun beckon, filling my heart with hope and joy. And for all of my adult life, my favorite way to start each morning has been to rise early, do some stretches, fix myself a cup of tea, and settle in on my sofa for precious Bible, prayer and journal time. This was true even when my kids were teeny. The only difference was that, back then, those sessions were a little shorter because, very soon, my children would come padding down in their footed pajamas to greet the day (and me) as well. And how did we start that day together? By reading!
So when I saw that the talented mother-daughter team, Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley have a new book out, my heart quickened because it’s about greeting the morning (and GOD!) with your children. Published by Tyndale House Publishers with text by Crystal and Teri and illustrations by Anita Schmidt, Good Morning, God Loves Youis a rhyming ode to the new day and God’s love. Catchy rhyming verses are punctuated by the recurring refrain “Good morning, God loves you!” Across each spread different parent-child duos explore God’s beautiful creation and the new day. The very last line is my favorite but I won’t share it because I don’t want to spoil it for you. Let’s just say it’s the perfect response to God’s love. Well done, Crystal and Teri!
And now, I’m delighted to have Crystal and Teri here for an interview. So, without further ado, let’s get started with my questions bolded.
What inspired you to write Good Morning, God Loves You?
Teri: When my kids were little and they first woke up in the morning, I would get them out of the crib and say, “Good morning, I love you!” It was such a sweet way to start the day with them, and it made us think of how God greets us the same way every morning. We thought it would be a blessing to share that message with young children and their parents.
What a lovely way to start the day with your children and God! And the writer and mama in me loves how you took that memory and transformed it into a lovely book.
Were there any challenges along the publishing journey for this story?
Crystal: In our first draft we started the story with the morning but then followed the child throughout the day and ended with the next morning. Our editor at Tyndale thought it would be stronger to make the entire book about the morning and she was right. We love how the characters visit so many different places and in each location they sense creation saying, “Good morning, God loves you!”
I agree. Focusing on just the morning makes the story sing!
Tell us a little bit about the illustrator. Do you have a favorite spread?
Teri: Anita Schmidt is a German illustrator and she was also selected to illustrate another one of our books (not related to Good Morning, God Loves You) after this. It seems like we were meant to work together! We love the warmth of her art, the way she captures expressions so beautifully and how she shows the parent–child relationship in such a sweet way. We also love her use of light in her artwork. My favorite spread is the one of the mom and kids on the beach collecting seashells.
I love that one too. And here’s another that your mom shared.
What do you hope little ones and their families will take away from this sweet book?
Crystal: The message of God’s love is so important for everyone, no matter how old or young we are. There is no better way to start each day than by acknowledging how much God loves us. It sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Amen!Finally, since this book focuses on mornings, do you each have a favorite spot where you meet God in the morning?
Teri: I have a tufted gray chair in the corner of my room where I read my Bible and pray in the mornings. It is such a beautiful time for me to be still in the quiet of the house before my family is awake and we get ready for school and work. It has become a beloved and sacred space for me.
Crystal: My favorite spot is outdoors in God’s creation–similar to the message of this book. I love nothing more than going for a brisk morning walk and talking to God the entire time. I feel so close to Him as I see the beauty that surrounds me.
Thank you, Crystal and Teri, for joining me this morning. I have a feeling this book will be a part of many, many morning reading times!
About the Authors
Teri McKinley is the bestselling, award-winning co-author of more than a dozen children’s books. She is the creator and co-author of Our Daily Bread for Kids, Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers, and Our Daily Bread for Little Hearts. Her newest releases are My Arms Will Hold You Tightand Good Morning, God Loves You, by Tyndale House Publishers. In addition to her love for writing, Teri enjoys playing tennis with her two boys and tackling home renovation projects with her husband.
Crystal Bowman is an award-winning bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and families. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music, stories for Clubhouse Jr. magazine, and is a writing coach for children’s writers. Her greatest desire is to teach children that God loves and cares for them very much. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their married children and eight huggable grandkids. Learn more at https://crystalbowman.com.
My Tender Heart Prayer Book has been out for ONE week now and we’re going on tour– blog tour that is! The book’s first post-release stop is over at Darlene Beck Jacobson’s blog. Enjoy an interview and a chance to win a copy of the book. Thank you for having me, Darlene.
Today I’m delighted to be interviewing author and illustrator Ginny Neil in celebration of her debut picture book THE GLORIOUS FOREST THAT FIRE BUILT. Published by Amicus Ink, THE GLORIOUS FOREST THAT FIRE BUILT is a lyrical, rhyming ode to the life cycle of a forest. Told in the cadence of “This is the House Jack Built”, it’s a captivating introduction to the wondrous stages of forest birth, maturation and regrowth. Not only is it told in a way that children can grasp, Ginny’s illustrations are realistic and inviting with lots to notice and explore. I felt transported into the story! This is a must-have book and would make a great addition to any collection. Now, without further ado, please join me for this special interview with Ginny with my questions bolded.
What inspired you to write and illustrate THE GLORIOUS FOREST THAT FIRE BUILT?
When I was a teenager, I spent my summers at a great Christian camp in Virginia. The leader, John Ensign, loved the forests. I never forgot the walks we took with him where he shared his vast knowledge and passion for God’s good plan. That was a very early seed for the book.
As a teacher, I always tried to share that same enthusiasm for the cyclical way the world works with my students and, as a farmer surrounded by acres of mountain forests, I developed a real love for trees and the gifts of clean air and water that they share with us. Plus who doesn’t love hugging trees?
Then, forest fires started becoming nightly news. I had a manuscript in progress called, “This is the Forest that Wind Built” but I turned my focus to thinking about what happens to a forest after a fire. My research confirmed that God’s good plan works if we don’t mess with it. Forests regenerate. And, so a book was born.
You are Master Naturalist. What is the mission of this special job and how has your love for nature influenced your writing and art?
Master Naturalists are tasked with helping us remember why nature matters. Education is the key to understanding it, and understanding it is the key to loving it. My book fits into that mission. But, I have always painted and drawn the natural world. I have sketchbooks and unframed art all over the house and in my studio that reflect that love. My writing naturally follows that interest.
Your illustrations of the life cycle of a forest are glorious. I love how you play with light and angle. And your attention to the smallest details, including tiny forest creatures that children can hunt for as they read, is stunning. How did you create such a magnificent world? Did you sketch/paint in the actual settings?
Well, since I live in the actual setting, yes, although technically most was done from looking out my window and my memories and pictures of walks through the various habitats. I am so glad you noticed all that detail. I wanted children to feel as if they had walked through these glorious versions of a forest. Every plant and animal accurately reflects something that would be found in that place and in that season of the emerging forest.
Part of the art of picture book writing is pairing text with image. Since you are both artist and poet for this book, I’m curious as to what your process was. Which came first and how did you decide upon the rhyme and rhythm for your text?
Whenever I write, I always see pictures in my head, but I wrote this first and then created a dummy. The rhyme and rhythm were based off of “This is the House that Jack Built.” The use of the same end rhyme gives a sort of reassuring continuity that I hope supports the message in the story.
Although my agent submitted the dummy with the manuscript, I didn’t dare to dream that I might get to illustrate this. In fact, after the art director and I put the final touches on it and the book went to print, I immediately enrolled in a class about illustrating books because I knew how big the holes were in my process. I have learned so much.
Finally, teachers and parents are always looking for ways to tie picture books into the curriculum, and I think that’s especially true for a STEM rich book like this. Do you have any extension activities your readers might enjoy?
Amicus Ink, my publisher, is putting the finishing touches on an educator’s guide that will be available on-line. But, parents can always explore nature with their kids, even if there are only a few plants to study.
Crayon rubbings are one of my favorite ways to do this. Take regular copy paper, a clipboard and an unwrapped crayon out into your space. Gather leaves from a variety of bushes or trees. Place the leaves between the clipboard and paper and then rub the side of the crayon across the paper. Cut the rubbings up into individual cards. Sort them by shape, or vein patterns, or edges, or by size. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Thank you so much for joining us today! I hope your book is enjoyed far and wide.
TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! If you’d like a chance to win a fresh-off-the-press SIGNED copy of THE GLORIOUS FOREST THAT FIRE BUILD (Amicus Ink, 2023) follow this blog and leave a comment letting us know. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Ginny, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST.
[Note: Thank you, Ginny, for the chance to preview a digital arc. I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Today, I am delighted to welcome returning guest Gayle Krause in celebration of the release of her new rhyming picture book ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA, a delightful retelling of Cinderella set in a whimsical witch-y setting. Gayle’s retelling would be lovely paired with other fairytale selections. Looking ahead to Halloween, it would be also a good choice for those looking for non-gory, non-scary books and would be ever so fun to read alongside books like ROOM ON THE BROOM by Julia Donaldson, or GROGGLE’S MONSTER HALLOWEEN by Diana Murray.
Here’s the synopsis: When a little witch’s two older sisters dash her hope of attending the biggest event of the Halloween season because she has no “witchy” magic, her determination and a surprising Fairy Godspider enchantment sends her as a special guest. The adult witches try to outdo each other to become the assistant to the most powerful witch in the land, The Grand Witch. But a kind gesture from the little witch wins the night and the title, and her sisters learn that kindness proves stronger than any magic they possess.
Now, enjoy the interview with my questions bolded.
Thank you so much for joining me today, Gayle. Let’s dig right in. First off, tell us a little bit about yourself including your favorite childhood fairy tale.
As a child I was a voracious reader and mostly read fairytale anthologies. My favorite fairytale was and still is The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Fast forward to my teaching career, training prospective educators for the Pre-K and Elementary classrooms. (I taught Children’s Literature at the secondary and post-secondary levels). And my Fairytale Seminar – BEYOND THE FAIRYTALE – which teaches prospective children’s writers how to reimagine a traditional fairytale and make it their own, and ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA was born.
As someone who also devoured fairytales as a child, I love how your childhood reading interests paved the way for this sweet story. Zadie and the Witch’s Tea is a delightful retelling. How did you come up with the idea?
My sisters and I tease each other about our “witchy” powers (when one calls, the other already has the phone in her hand). So, to celebrate our sisterhood and our sibling thought waves, we gather every summer for fun, food, wine, and of course, ‘dress-up.’ We call it our Witchy Weekend. (See picture.) And since I mentioned the tea party as a child, it was easy to stretch the idea into a child-friendly story.
Oh, Gayle! You look like you could be part of Zadie’s story.
Were there any challenges along publishing journey for this story?
Zadie’s path to publication took many turns. First written in 2016, it followed the Cinderella tale closely, but had too many words. I revised to a lesser word count and submitted it to my then agent. She, in turn, submitted it to several publishing houses. Most loved the idea but asked me to rewrite it in prose. What?
For picture books, I think in rhyme. I write in rhyme and am aware of good rhyme vs. bad. As you know, I belonged to The Poets’ Garage alongside of you for six years, was the assistant poetry editor for Beneath The Juniper Tree and served on Angie Karcher’s Rhyme Revolution Committee for four years, helping to write the rhyme rubric and selecting the “BEST” Rhyming picture book in the U.S.
After weeks of resistance, I did. My agent loved it, except again, it was too long. So, I took a break and used my creative time to design and sew Zadie, her sisters, and the Grand Witch. (See picture). Sometimes it helps to fill the creative well in a different way.
You made those? Wow!
Kate Talbot’s illustrations pair charmingly with your text. I love the palette she has chosen and her sweet rendering of Zadie glows with kindness. Tell us a little bit about Kate.
During my time at the agency, Kate and I shared the same agent. (Since then the agent left the business and Kate and I left the agency). But I love her whimsical illustration style and she was the perfect illustrator to bring Zadie’s story to life.
Kate is a Children’s Book Author/Illustrator who has a passion for quirky stories, especially when told in rhyme. (Perfect!) She has a degree in filmmaking and made the shift to children’s writing and illustration in 2011. She lives in New Zealand, loves being outdoors, and cannot resist a good tea party.
It is indeed a great pairing! Do you have a favorite spread? What makes it your favorite?
I have two favorite spreads—when her Hairy Fairy Godspider casts a spell with her four wands to create a beautiful gown of spider lace (cobwebs) and Zadie at the boo-fae table. Both are beautifully illustrated, vibrant in color, and exude ethereal magic!
I agree. They practically glow! What would you like readers to take away from this story?
I would wish all my readers, both young and old, to know that belief in yourself and a little kindness are powerful tools to accomplish their dreams.
I think your story captures that message well, Gayle. Finally, what’s next?And where can interested readers find your books?
I’m currently putting the final touches on my new middle grade fantasy novel, FIREWILLOW, which is based on my first-place MG-winning entry I submitted to the 2022 Kid’s Choice Kidlit Writing contest. Once I hear back from my Beta readers, I plan to start submitting to literary agents again.
Zadie and the Witch’s Tea can be ordered from any bookstore or requested at local libraries.
Thank you, Gayle, for joining us. Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!!!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Gayle is offering one SIGNED copy of ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA to one of my readers (please follow my blog) who comments on Zadie’s story and shares news about her little witch on social media. She also have Zadie swag that will accompany the book. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) Thank you, Gayle, for providing the winning book. This giveaway ends Monday, August 6 2023 at 11:59 pm EST.
[Note: Thank you, Gayle, letting me preview the book digitally. I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]
Today I am delighted to host co-authors Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner as we chat about their new collaboration with Zonderkidz, God, I Feel Sad. Michelle Nietert is a licensed professional counselor with over 25 years of experience and Tama Fortner has authored over 50 faith-based books for children and adults. If you haven’t met them yet, you are in for a treat! But first, a little bit about the book.
From the Back Cover: “No one likes being sad, but God gave us sadness for a reason. Through kid-friendly text and bright illustrations, children can safely explore what it means to be sad, discover healthy ways to process their emotions, and learn that being sad isn’t something they need to avoid. In fact, it’s something that helps us grow closer to God and others.”
And here’s my take: In God, I Feel Sad, Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner address sadness using language and examples that are relatable to a small child. The text is engaging, even poetic, and the suggestions are spot on. I can tell Michelle is a trained counselor and that both have a deep faith in God. This book would be an excellent choice to have on hand as a simple, engaging conversation starter about sadness in home, school, church or counseling settings. Thanks to the publisher for letting me preview the book which I was under no obligation to review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Now for the interview with my questions bolded.
Thank you both so much for joining us. To get us started, please tell us a little bit about yourselves and what inspired you to write God, I Feel Sad.
Michelle: As a professional counselor for twenty-five years, I’m seeing more and more kids coming into my office because they are struggling with their emotions. If unresolved, these struggles can lead to mental health diagnoses. That’s why I felt called to create a series of books that would empower parents to talk with kids about their feelings and to normalize those feelings so that kids don’t hide them from their parents or from God. I also wanted kids to have a book that would help them see how much God understands all that they’re feeling. As adults, we see that in the myriad of emotions expressed in the psalms, but kids at this young age aren’t really reading the psalms yet.
I’m also a mom to two school-age children, so I’m living in the trenches. Our kids—like everyone’s—have gone through a global pandemic and have struggled with some intense emotions, including grief and the traumatic loss of loved ones.
While I saw the need for this kind of book, I also clearly heard from the Lord that I was not going to be able to be a practicing, professional counselor and learn how to write a high-quality children’s book. That’s why I’m so grateful that Tama opened an email in her junk box!
Tama: Michelle and I still laugh about that “junk” email, because that’s where her first message to me landed—and stayed for weeks before I found it. But I’m so glad I did find it. And I’m so grateful that God connected the two of us. (There’s no doubt in my mind that He orchestrated all of this!)
As a mom (and even as a Sunday school teacher), I’ve seen first-hand the intensity of emotions that kids wrestle with these days. So when Michelle reached out and asked me to be a part of bringing this book into reality, I jumped at the chance!
One of the things I love most about God, I Feel Sad is that it not only gives kids the tools they need to process their emotions, it also teaches them how to take those big (and small) emotions to the God who is big enough to handle them and who loves each of us enough to help us through them.
I can see this book being used a wonderful tool in home, counseling, and school settings. Do you have any specific tips to help caregivers get the most out of it?
Michelle: While I’m reluctant to ask people to purchase additional product, the audio version of God, I Feel Sad contains so much bonus material. It includes a Parent Talk that teaches parents how to talk to their kids about what they’re feeling, along with guided exercises set to calming music that they can listen to along with their kids.
Also, as caregivers are talking to kids about struggles with sadness, it’s crucial that they model how they deal with their own feelings of sadness in healthy ways. Be sure to keep the doors of conversation open—don’t shut them with “You’ll be fine” or other dismissive words. Give kids the time they need to express their feelings. Talk through the words used to describe sadness in God, I Feel Sad and help them develop a vocabulary for explaining what they’re feeling. And then join with the child in prayer—in turning to God for help—so that they learn how to actually do this. This will help them learn to entrust their emotions to God, rather than letting them overflow or stuffing them down and trying to ignore them.
One of the aspects I love best about the book is how you use imagery and literary devices to help kids understand what sadness is and how children (and grownups too) can work through it to a happier place. What was the thought process behind this strategy?
Tama: Kids—especially in the picture book age range—are such literal and concrete thinkers. That simply means that they understand things better when they can see, hear, touch, taste, or feel them. So when I want to explain something that is more abstract, like emotions, I’ve found that it’s helpful to connect it, or compare it, to something concrete that kids can see, hear, touch, taste, or feel.
For example, as Michelle and I talked through the concept of how the sadness over a particular loss can come and go, we decided to compare it to “the waves at the edge of the ocean” that come and go. We explain that some waves are tiny—“just big enough to wet your toes,” while others are huge and “swirl around and soak you with sad all the way through.” Like those waves, sometimes the memories of a loss or a sad time are smaller, and they just brush across our thoughts and quickly go away again. But other times, those same memories swamp us.
Comparing the “known” of ocean waves to the “unknown” of sadness, helps children (and grownups!) understand how sadness can come and go and how it can be small or huge.
God is woven into your text in a magnificent way, concluding with the uplifting verse from Psalm 34 about how God is close to the broken-hearted. Can you suggest any other passages that address sadness that might be good for further reading for families with young children?
Michelle: God’s Word is filled with reassurances and comfort for us. Here are just a few of my favorite passages:
God knows when we’re feeling sad: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8 nlt).
God will lift us up again: “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3 esv).
God will surround, comfort, and protect: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4 nlt).
Finally, what’s next? Is this perhaps part of a series? (I hope so!)
Tama: Yes! God, I Feel Sad is the first book in this series about helping kids bring their big emotions to an even bigger God. Up next—and just in time for the Halloween season—is God, I Feel Scared, which releases on October 3, 2023. It’s already available for pre-order from all the major retailers.
After that, Michelle and I have plans for additional books in the series, each spotlighting a different emotion. Because perhaps more than ever before, kids today have so much to process and to grapple with. We want to equip them to face it all—and to face it with God as their Guide.
Thank you both so much for stopping by today. I look forward to collecting the whole series!
Learn more about the authors here:
TAMA FORTNER is an ECPA award-winning author with more than fifty titles to her credit, including her latest releases God, I Feel Sad and Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays. Tama has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for all ages. But her greatest accomplishments happen in a happy little home on the outskirts of Nashville, where she lives with her family and a feisty little pup who is convinced he’s people too. To learn more, visit http://www.TamaFortner.com.
MICHELLE NIETERT has been a licensed professional counselor for over 25 years and the coauthor of the award-winning book Loved and Cherished: 100 Devotions for Girls, along with God, I Feel Sad, Managing Your Emojis, and Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life, as well as the soon to be released God, I Feel Scared. To learn more about Michelle, visit http://www.MichelleNietert.com.
[Note: Thanks to the publisher for letting me preview the book which I was under no obligation to review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.]
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Yesterday, it was my pleasure to be interviewed by radio host Care Baldwin for her program, The Wednesday Bookmark, a weekly show that celebrates books. The interview aired April 19th, 2023 at 4:30 EST on Family Radio CHRI 99.1 fm, a Canadian Christian family radio station. Thank you, Care, for being such a great host! I had a wonderful time chatting about MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. Here’s the link for the radio interview. And we also recorded for youtube which you can access there as well! How fun is that. Enjoy!
Interested in purchasing a copy of this or any of my books? Check out my Books tab!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider subscribing to my blog using the subscribe button in the footer or sidebar. I post once or twice weekly with book news, inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.
Laura Sassi Tales 