January Round Up: FOUR FUN THINGS (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Happy Thursday, friends! I have FOUR fun things to share with you today.

First, here’s a picture of my first VIRTUAL visit of 2024 with 20 attentive and adorable pre-k and kindergartners at Evangel Christian Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. It was an engaging, interactive visit! I showed them all my books, we talked about what it means to be an author, we read a couple of stories and prayers together, and closed with a Q&A. They asked things like “What inspires you to write your books?” ”Did the pictures come first?” and more. If YOU’d like me to visit YOUR school for a virtual author program, I’d love that. In fact, I still have openings for FREE visits as part of World Read Aloud Day. Check here for that.

Second,  be sure to check out Sally Matheny’s review of MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK. Her reviews are always so thoughtful. While you are there, I hope you will enjoy exploring her many other reviews as well. And, this one includes a book giveaway, so hurry on over. 

Third, if you are looking for a simple, fun way to OBSERVE LENT with your little ones, I’ve put together a schedule for doing that with MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. The first reading starts Sunday, February 18th, which is the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday. To help us stay on track, beginning on Sunday, February 18th, I’ll be sharing the readings with suggested heart moments each Sunday and Wednesday throughout Lent on my Facebook, Instagram and X feeds.  I hope you’ll join me. Get the schedule here.

Finally, this month I launched a sweet little campaign on my socials called TENDER HEART TUESDAYS with weekly tidbits of inspiration and tips to plant seeds of faith and prayer in children’s hearts and our hearts too. Here’s this week’s. 

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MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK Blog Tour STOP FOUR: Perfect Picture Book Friday (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Today I’m delighted to have MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK featured on Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday Series. Head on over to get Susanna’s take on the book. And in the extra fun department, she asked me to share an activity to go along with the book. It’s a fun one! What could it be, you ask? You’ll have to pop over there to find out. I’ll make it easy for you. Oh, and there’s also a giveaway for one fresh-off-the-press copy of the book! Here’s the link:

Perfect Picture Book Friday – My Tender Heart Prayer Book PLUS A Giveaway!

Interested in purchasing copies or getting the free printable activity kit that goes with the book? Check https://mytenderheartbooks.com for links to multiple vendors, events, the activity kit and more!

Introducing MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK: A Review and a GIVEAWAY!

Did you know that the second book in the My TENDER HEART series—MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK (Paraclete Press)—releases in less than TWO months?  

And this week, it’s making its first BLOG appearance over at Write2Ignite. So grab your favorite morning beverage and head on over to read Kathy O’Neill’s review plus a few ideas from the author (that’s me!) for helping caregivers and their little ones get the most out of each prayer. There’s also a giveaway for one complimentary copy of the book! All the details are over there.

If news of this book is NEW to you, here’s the scoop from Paraclete Press:

With rhyming text and playful illustrations, My Tender Heart Prayer Book offers a vibrant collection of prayers for every moment of the day from morning to night. Inspiring words and “Heart Moments” combine to foster a little one’s relationship with God. Contains 23 prayers that encourage gratitude, thinking of others, asking for help, joy, compassion, trust in God, and teach important spiritual cornerstones.”

Before you leave, I have a request. Here are THREE easy ways you can help let others know about the book (and make this author’s heart overflow with gratitude.)

Way #1: Add it to your Goodreads “to-read” shelf.

Way #2: Pre-order it from Amazon.

Way #3:  Head on over to Kathy’s review and giveaway at Write2Ignite (linked above), enter to win a copy, and then share about the post with your friends using the share button options on the Write2Ignite website.

Happy Tuesday, all!

The MY TENDER HEART BIBLE Book Tour Continues with two interviews, a review, and a gifting idea!

One of the joys of having a new book out is getting to chat about it in meaningful and fun ways. Today I have two new interviews to share with you.

First up, I was honored to be interviewed by the lovely Christian author, Crystal Bowman, whose writing I have looked up to for a long time. Here’s the link to that.

Then, last week, I was interviewed by the amazing Brock Eastman. You can check that out here.

Third, bestselling Christian author, Diane Stortz, who, like me, has a heart for reaching next generations with messages of God’s love through Jesus, kindly shared her thoughts on MY TENDER HEART BIBLE in her May newsletter. Read the full review and newsletter here.

Now for the GIFTING idea:

From the moment I penned the first word in this Bible story collection, it has been my hope and prayer that it be used as a colorful, engaging poetic introduction to God’s love and God’s Word. Over these last three months since it released, I’ve signed copies for baby showers, baptisms, birthdays and Easter baskets. But now, as we approach graduation season – preschool graduation, that is, or even Sunday School graduation, I wonder if God might place it on your heart to gift MY TENDER HEART BIBLE to a child you know who is graduating from their preschool years. Or, maybe even, you might sponsor a child’s class and gift a copy to each child? Or, gift a copy to each class at your child’s or grandchild’s school so that it might be a blessing for years to come?

The book is available everywhere. But if you choose to purchase copies for a school or class, my publisher, Paraclete Press, offers great discounts for bulk purchases. If ordering 1 – 10 copies, use the code SASSI for a 20% discount. After that the discount will apply automatically, with a 20% for up do thirty copies, 25% for up to up to 60 copies, 30% for up to 99 copies and 40% discount for 100+ copies. Check my book page for links to the publisher and other vendors.

And if you decide to order multiple copies for a class or school, let me know and I will send signed book plates with a special message for each book!

Time for the First… MY TENDER HEART BIBLE Friday Round Up!

My new book, MY TENDER HEART BIBLE, released a week and a half ago and, in celebration I have FOUR fun things to share today – including a GIVEAWAY! I hope you will grab a cup of coffee or tea and check them out.

First, on Tuesday, I was delighted to be hosted by Paraclete Press for a special TENDER HEART-themed Valentine’s Day story time which included a chat with host Rachel McKendree, a reading of three of my favorites from the collection, a Q&A and a sneak peek at my next TENDER HEART book which will be out in the fall. You can enjoy that here:

Second, in case you missed my interview over at Terrie Hellard-Brown’s “Books That Spark” podcast, here’s the link for that plus a snap-shot quote which really shows my heart in writing this new book.

Third, yesterday I was honored to be guest blogger over at Darlene Beck Jacobson’s blog on a topic close to my heart — sharing God’s Word with little ones in RHYME! (PLUS, Darlene is giving away one SIGNED copy of my newest release: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. (This is the giveaway I mentioned above!) Find all the details here.

Finally, be sure to check out Sally Matheny’s review of MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. Her reviews are always so thoughtful. While you are there, I hope you will enjoy exploring her many other reviews as well.

Check back in next week for more fun bookish things! Happy Weekend, all! (And if you aren’t following my blog yet and want to, I’d love that! Buttons to do so are in the sidebar and footer.

A Web Update, Countdown to BOOK LAUNCH DAY (plus two fun HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD posts)!

Happy news! The process of updating this website is almost complete, and I think it’s time to welcome you back. I hope you enjoy perusing the fresh pages and soaking up the new look. Keep in mind that I’m still working on many details including adding social media links “above the fold”. Any guesses as to what that means? The books page and links are also still a work-in-progress, but I hope to have those complete by next week.

Now here’s a fun challenge for you. Remember how I said I wanted to somehow honor my mom – whose beautiful banner graced this blog for its first ten years? Well, I figured out a way to do just that. If you discover it, please let me know in the comments section.

Finally, it’s hard to believe, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS CHILD releases in FOUR days! The virtual blog/podcast tour kicked off this week with these two wonderful blog stops.

Tour Stop #1: Have you ever wondered about the journey a book takes from inspiration to publication? Find out HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD’s journey in this post over at Kathy Temean’s blog. And while you are there, be sure to enter her giveaway for a fresh-off-the-press copy of the book. All the details are on her blog. And only a handful have entered so far… just sayin’.

Tour Stop #2: Head over to Write2Ignite for a thoughtful review of HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD by Kathy O’Neill. Also included are thoughts on “7 Ways Happy Birthday, Christmas Child Helps Us Slow Down and Allow Little Hearts and Souls to Fill with the Wonder of Jesus’ Birth.”

Happy Friday, all.

BUNNY FINDS EASTER Friday Roundup

Happy Friday, friends! Bunny and I have four fun things to share with you this week. First, if you live in the metropolitan NY/NJ area, I invite you to stop in at Perwinkles Gift Shop in Cranford, NJ, tomorrow March 26th from 1 – 3. Owner, Elaine, will have a broad selection of my books on hand, including BUNNY FINDS EASTER! Let’s help her sell them all. Details in image.

Second, be sure to check out Sally Matheny’s review of BUNNY FINDS EASTER. Her reviews are always so thoughtful. Here’s the link . While you are there, I hope you will enjoy exploring her many other reviews as well.

Third, I was honored to be featured in writer (and former English teacher) Joyce McCullough’s Spring 2022 Newsletter with an in-depth interview. Thank you, Joyce. Here’s the link.

Finally, earlier this week I had the pleasure of getting to chat with Christian children’s author, Christie Thomas about books and other fun things including, BUNNY FINDS EASTER. Here’s the link for that:

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The BUNNY FINDS EASTER Bunny Hop Continues with… a Review, a Podcast and a BIG Giveaway!

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

Time for the BUNNY FINDS EASTER Bunny Hop: Stop One

One of the joys of having a new book out is getting to visit and celebrate with a virtual book tour!  And because this tour includes more than just blogs, I’ve decided to call it the BUNNY HOP!  Each week, we’ll be visiting somewhere fun but it will be a surprise! Don’t worry, I’ll let you know where to go as we hop along together. 

And where is Bunny, the sweet protagonist from BUNNY FINDS EASTER (Zonderkidz, February 1, 2022) hopping to today?  I’m so glad you asked. She’s over at picture book author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog for Perfect Picture Book Friday! Thank you for having us, Susanna. The post includes a review, a craft (pictured) and a GIVEAWAY so hurry on over. Here’s the link: https://susannahill.com/2022/02/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-bunny-finds-easter-plus-a-giveaway/https://susannahill.com/2022/02/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-bunny-finds-easter-plus-a-giveaway/

Celebrate HUG A SHEEP Day with LITTLE EWE: Craft and Review!

This past Saturday, in celebration of Hug A Sheep Day which takes place on the last Saturday in October, Little Ewe was featured over at Kathy Carroll’s wonderful Celebrate Picture Books blog. Head over there to find her review with this adorable craft that is also a game. It’s a cozy resting box for Little Ewe! It’s the craft I’ve been using at book store and library events this fall and it’s a big hit. There’s also a giveaway for a free copy of the book which ends 11/4/21.  So grab your favorite cozy November hot beverage and head on over. I’ll make it easy for you.  Here’s the link to the review/craft and here’s the link to the giveaway.  And to make that cute little knitted lamb press here. Thank you for celebrating with Little Ewe!