CHRISTMAS REFLECTION: Thoughts on Friendship and Advent Calendars

On the heels of my special post about Sister Michelle, which honors a special Christmas memory from when I first moved to Paris, France, as a shy eight-year-old, it seems fitting today to share another memory that forms sort of a book end to that one. Both have in common that they honor special people in my life. Be sure to read to the end for a holiday challenge for you that has to do with honoring significant people in your life’s journey. And now, for today’s reflection.

In the fall of 1981, a shy girl, still very homesick for her friends and life in France, moved with her family to a suburban community just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She didn’t know many people and to say it was a shock to her quiet self to be suddenly plunked into a huge junior high with 300 or so kids in the seventh grade alone, is an understatement.  There had only been 15 or so kids in the whole 6th grade at her previous school!

That fall this shy girl comforted herself by reading lots of books and writing and drawing.  But good things were at work for within days of starting school that girl (who was me if you haven’t guessed) met a sweet, kind, soul who immediately made her (me) feel welcome.

This girl, whose name was Elizabeth, was shy like me and also liked to read and write.  We quickly became “kindred spirits” for, yes, we had both, of course, read and loved Anne of Green Gables.  Elizabeth made that first fall in Minnesota not just bearable but delightful!  

This brings me to my special Christmas memory that was triggered by watching this Youtube video that this special friend, who grew up to be a Lutheran pastor, posted on her social media in December 2020. In it, she shares a special life-long collection of hers:  advent calendars!  Enjoy the video and then read about my special memory below:

Pastor Elizabeth may not remember this, but that first December of my junior high life in Minnesota, she invited me over to her house.  I don’t remember all the details of that afternoon, but I do remember the highlight!  

“Do you want to make advent calendars?” she asked. I had never heard of such a thing so she showed me one and explained how it was a special way to look forward to Christmas day by opening little windows each day.  

Then she showed me how we could make our own by using two pieces of sturdy paper. First we drew our cover sheets with festive Christmas scenes. Next, using scissors we cut out 24 flaps for windows and numbered each one. Then we attached the undersheet and put a special Christmas message or symbol or verse in each window. It was so much fun!

I’m pretty certain that my own family’s love of advent calendars can be traced back to Elizabeth. Indeed, since they were little, my kids have looked forward to their advent calendars (and the chocolate inside) each and every year.  Need proof? Here’s a tasty close up of one of Miss A’s advent calendars.  

Now, in a spirit of gratitude and awareness of God’s blessings, I’d like to take a moment to honor Elizabeth, who’s been such a good friend over the years – doing kind things like cheering me on in my writing journey and even sharing my books with her congregation. 

Here’s my closing thought for you. Is there some special holiday or family tradition that can be traced back to a special person in your life? If so, maybe today or this week is a good time to find that person and let them know.  

Blessings of the season, all!

Note: 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 inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.

MONDAY FUN: Listen to the HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD StoryJumpers and Collide Kids Podcast Episodes!

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: 

https://www.wearethebridge.org/streaming/podcasts/storyjumpers/episode/happy-birthday-christmas-child-by-laura-sassi/

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!

Here’s the link to the HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHLD Episode: https://anchor.fm/collidekidspod/episodes/How-to-Share-the-Christmas-Story-w-Laura-Sassi

Happy Monday, all!

FIVE FUN FACTS about RAVEN’S GIFT with Claire Annette Noland

Today I’m pleased to have children’s author Claire Annette Noland here to share five fun facts about her newest book, RAVEN’S GIFT: A FEATHERED FLIGHT OF FAITH, published by Bless This Press, an imprint of Little Press Publishing.

Here’s the official blurb from the publisher’s website:

Raven is bored. Nothing ever happens in the fields around Bethlehem until one night, a dazzling star appears. Angels gather and sing “Baby Jesus is born!” Now Raven has a mission. He will fly and take the message to the other birds who are thrilled to take gifts to baby Jesus. But Raven wonders, what gift can he bring?

Based on an old legend, birds of the Bible celebrate the birth of the Savior in this tale of determination, perseverance, and faith.

I was delighted to get a sneak peek at the digital ARC for this book which released just five days ago. Written by Claire Annette Noland with colorful illustrations by Desirée Cordón, RAVEN’S GIFT is an engaging addition to the Christmas picture book cannon. The story flows beautifully from spread to spread and children will empathize with Raven’s growing concern about what HIS gift will be. Without spoiling the ending, let me just say that Raven’s gift is perfect – and one that young and old should be remembering to give. Well done! I think this book would make a wonderful addition to a your home, church, school, or town library. And now enjoy Claire’s five fun facts.

Five Fun Facts about 

RAVEN’S GIFT: A Feathered Flight of Faith

by Claire Annette Noland

Fun Fact #1: Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith is a retold legend about birds taking gifts to baby Jesus in the manger. I first came across the legend in a collection of Christmas stories, poems, and songs called Take Joy collected and illustrated by Tasha Tudor, one of my favorite author-illustrators. I loved the tale of a raven who hears the angels announce the Savior’s birth and sets off to tell the other birds.

Fun Fact #2: I enjoyed researching birds in the Bible as I chose which birds would be characters in my story. Originally, I included ten birds but the story was too long so I had to take out some. The backmatter includes the biblical references for each bird.

Fun Fact #3: I wrote Raven’s Gift ten years ago! I received many rejections and at one point thought about self publishing. Finally, it was picked up by a publisher who held it for four years and then went out of business. Sigh. In the meantime, I went on to write magazine stories, easy readers for the educational market, and work-for-hire for a large regional children’s hospital system. My first trade book, Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win was published by Cardinal Rule Press in 2020. Michele McAvoy, One of my fellow CRP authors, began her own publishing company called Little Press Publishing. I saw that she had plans for an imprint called Bless This Press and am thrilled that she chose to publish Raven’s Gift as the first book in this imprint.

Fun Fact #4: I originally wrote the main character as an old, tired, cranky raven but revised when Michele suggested that children would relate more to a young raven. Now the story features Raven who is bored because nothing ever happens in his neighborhood. 

Fun Fact #5: I love the book’s message that the greatest gift of all is sharing the good news!

Author bio: Claire Annette Noland is an author of easy readers, board books, and picture books for young children. Her career has centered around children and books as a children’s librarian, reading specialist, author, and mom. Her life’s goal is to encourage kids to be excited about reading and learning.

Claire lives with her husband and large poodle-mix, Mr. Ernie, in a book-filled home in central California. She finds inspiration for the stories she writes from the children in her life. When not writing, Claire can be found stocking her little free library, playing bocce ball on the beach. and taking field trips using kid-lit as her travel guide.

Learn more about Claire on her website: https://claireannettenoland.com/  

[Note: Thank you to the Claire for the opportunity to preview the digital ARC which I was under no obligation to review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog about books and other things are purely my own.]

SISTER MICHELLE and THE CANDLE: A Special Christmas COUNTING Memory

 

If you have followed my writing journey at all, you know that most of my books have in some way been inspired by my childhood or my children’s childhoods. My newest book, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD, is no exception. Indeed, as I was writing it, all sorts of memories became sparks — including one that I’d like to share today.

In the fall of 1977 eight-year-old me moved with my family from Minnesota to Paris, France where everything was new and different including…school! The school my parents chose was called Marymount International School of Paris. It was a special place. For starters, it was within walking distance from our apartment which meant good exercise for us all. Second, the children who attended were from around the world and I quickly made friends from all over including Norway, Sweden, Pakistan and Scotland.

Here are two pictures from the time. The first shows me and my sister standing outside our apartment, ready for the first day of school. (I’m the taller one.) The second picture was also taken that school year and shows us with our Norwegian friend tromping to Marymount through the snow.

The third special thing about the school was that it had nuns! I had never been to a Catholic school before. The older nuns wore habits with wimples, just like the nuns in The Sound of Music. The younger nuns didn’t wear habits. Instead, they wore simple sweaters or tops in soft, solid colors, pleated skirts and sensible shoes (as my mother called them).

My teacher’s name was Sister Michelle and she was one of the younger nuns. Her classroom was situated on the 1er étage (2nd floor) of an old French maison. It had formerly been a very grand bedroom with tall decorative plaster walls, an elegant marble fireplace, and two sets of original French-door-style windows that overlooked the school’s playground.

Sister Michelle’s desk was directly in front of those windows and I remember it as being piled with books and papers and other teacher-y things.  We students sat at four clusters of desks pressed together to make “tables”. Mine was near the fireplace.  

Here is a picture my dad found of me at my table with Sister Michelle presiding. It might be hard to tell from the picture, but Sister Michelle was no-nonsense, yet kind, and she got me excited about reading and math.

But my favorite memory about her, and the one which was brought vividly to mind as I wrote this newest book, dates to December 1st, 1977. That’s the day she brought in the candle.

We all watched as she set it on a little table next to her desk. The candle was long and tapered with numbers from 1 (at the top)  to 25 (at the base) imprinted down the side. Sister Michelle then explained that the Christmas season was special and that as part of advent, we would be taking a few moments each morning to light the candle, read a short Christmas passage, say a prayer, and then blow out the the candle. Pointing to the numbers, she explained that each day we’d let the candle burn until that day’s number melted.

I had never heard of such an activity, but it soon became my favorite part of the day. That’s because Sister Michelle wasn’t the one to light the candle, read the passage, and pray. NO! We the kids did that and from my eight-year-old perspective that was amazing! She was supervising from close by, but still! I’d never lit a candle before or read a Bible verse aloud to my class.  

Looking back, I realize that those Christmas verses we read along with the candle lighting left a beautiful imprint on my heart as to what Christmas is really all about – the birth of Christ, the Savior of the World. 

The experience also opened my heart to the richness of digging into God’s word -not just for the 25 days leading up to Christmas, but every day. I have Sister Michelle to thank for that — for instilling in me the importance of pausing daily to read God’s word, to pray, and to let that moment set the course for the day.  

Of course, the little ones I wrote HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD for are too young yet to be reading and pondering scripture, but they can still enjoy slowing down to count and point to and wonder at the miracle of Christmas as they enjoy my simple recounting of the night Jesus was born.

For years I have been searching, unsuccessfully, for where I might purchase a candle like Sister Michelle had all those years ago. They are very hard to find. In fact, I had pretty much given up hope, but then, my Lexington VA friend, Phyllis, surprised me with this! It turns out Phyllis has been making numbered Christmas candles for years, giving over 50 each year to family and friends. She takes regular-old red candles and green crayon wax that she melts to inscribe the numbers using a thin paint brush. It’s almost exactly like the one Sister Michelle used except that Sister Michelle’s, as I recall, was white. I can’t wait to start lighting it on December 1st.  

How I would love it if Sister Michelle could see this post and know the impact her Christmas candle activity has had. Maybe one of your shares will land in the feed or inbox of someone who knows her. Wouldn’t that be neat? It may be a long shot, but this is the season of miracles, right?  

Blessings, all!

Note: 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 inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.

You’re Invited to the HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Virtual Book Launch Party!

Who’s ready for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Virtual Book Launch Party? I am and so is my storytelling companion, Mouse. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us on Instagram Live on Thursday, December 1st at 7pm Eastern to celebrate the release of HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD. Enjoy a reading, games, a virtual BYO snack, and a simple book-inspired craft. To access the party, simply stop by my Instagram page at 7pm Eastern on the 1st.

Here’s the description: Count to TEN with Mary and Joseph as they await the birth of Baby Jesus in this sweet rhyming board book for littlest ones. Published by Paraclete Press and illustrated by Gabi Murphy with plenty to notice and count on each spread, it’s a charming introduction for littlest ones to the real gift of Christmas – Jesus!

Here’s the book trailer, if you want a sweet sneak peek:

BUT, WAIT. THERE’S MORE!!! Since SIGNED copies are part of the fun, I’m delighted to share that signed book plated copies are available (at a great price!) at PremiereCollectibles.com/happybirthday. So, if you want signed copies – and live too far to come to one of my in-person events, this is a great option. I’m grateful both to my publisher and to Premiere Collectibles for making this possible.

Mark your calendars! Stay tuned, very soon for the “party craft” reveal so you can be sure to have your materials ready for the party. I thought this was a fun way to celebrate with friends near and far, so please let your friends know so they can mark their calendars too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD: Five LOVELY Endorsements (Plus a PPBF!)

On this chilly November Friday, as we head into what feels like the start of wintry celebrations, with Thanksgiving first up, I thought I’d take a moment to give thanks for all the support and encouragement I have experienced with the release of my new book, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD. It’s a simply told board book that uses counting and rhyme to introduce littlest ones to real gift of Christmas – Jesus- and the feedback I’ve gotten so far is that it’s striking a tender chord in hearts of all ages. Today I thought I’d share five endorsements the book has received – including one from a Children’s Ministry Director!

I’m also delighted to share that HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD is the featured book today over at Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday. The post there includes a review and a craft/game from the author – me! Here’s the link for that. Oh, there’s a giveaway there as well. So be sure to head on over. Happy Friday!

“A fun and engaging introduction to the Christmas story.” —School Library Journal

“You will not be able to read this book without smiling! Every single page of this counting Christmas offering from Laura Sassi is filled with delight. From one stable to ten tiny toes, this book is a joyous, fun, interactive way to celebrate the season with little ones.” —Glenys Nellist, author of Snuggle Time Christmas Stories and Good News! It’s Christmas!

“A creative re-telling of a timeless story—young children will smile with the turn of each page.” —Christine Voegeli, Director of Children’s Ministry at New Providence Presbyterian Church

“Happy Birthday, Christmas Child has everything I’m looking for in a faith-based picture book—lilting rhymes, a sweet story, and, most importantly, Biblical truth! It deserves a place in your holiday book basket.” —Kristin Wynalda, creator of Big Books, Little Ears

“Simply told in lovely rhyme, Happy Birthday Christmas Child is presented in a way that is true to the bible’s telling but written for youngest readers to enjoy, with things to count on every page along the way – from 1 stable to 10 tiny toes.” —Susanna Leonard Hill, New York Times bestselling children’s author

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES: Sharing the Story of Christmas

As part of my church’s Christmas outreach, we are participating in something called the Holiday Walk. Scheduled on the day after Thanksgiving, this town-wide event draws a big crowd and includes a visit from Santa and fireworks.  On our church corner, the festivities include a living nativity, a light show and, this year, a special interactive reading of HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD, with storytelling props made by our Sunday School  pre-k – 3rd graders. 

Here’s a snapshot of one of the props we made today. Next week we will make spiders and number cards and the younger class will make stars and shepherds.

Last Sunday, to introduce the project to my first through third graders, I read the book, along with the passage from Luke that inspired it. I also shared with them that stories are a great way to share our faith and the reason I know Jesus today is because someone shared the Christmas story with me when I was six years old!  And that because of that, Christmas is now a favorite time of year for me.

Indeed, Christmas is so special to me, that I have written not just one, but TWO, picture books about it: GOODNIGHT, MANGER and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD. Over the years I’ve also written many poems about Christmas, all of which point to Jesus as the real gift of Christmas.

When I shared with the kids that I had been writing since I was their age and asked any of them if they like to write or draw, every hand shot up!  That inspired a challenge. “Who here would like to write their own retelling of the Christmas story to share with others and point them to Jesus?” Again, many hands went up, but two hearts really got the writing bug. How do I know?  

I know because this morning two young ladies, a first grader and a third grader, came to church very excited to share with me the Christmas stories that they wrote on their own time last week. And now, in the hopes of getting you excited for Christmas as well, here they are. I hope they’re warm your hearts as much as they warmed mine.

Christmas as told by a first grader:

And now, as told by a third grader:

What’s your favorite bit from each?  (I’ll tell you mine after I hear yours.)  Happy Monday!  

Note: 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 inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.

MEET MOUSE: My Companion for HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD Author Visits

My decision to use puppets at author visits began quite by chance. Since a pair of skunks play an important role in my first book GOODNIGHT, ARK, and figuring that some of my very youngest readers might not be familiar with the species, I thought having a pair of skunk puppets would be a fun way to introduce the story.

The skunks were such a great hit, that when my second book, GOODNIGHT, MANGER, came out, I knew I wanted a new, book-specific puppet. Thankfully, without too much trouble, thanks again to Folkmanis, I found the perfect companion — Rooster!  

My third book, DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE, stars a diva seal and opera-loving mouse.  And again, they are the warm-up act to my story times and, boy, are they a hit!  Delores even sings opera!  (She gets the kids to sing too… and the parents and teachers!)

My fourth book, LOVE IS KIND stars Little Owl and that puppet was made for me by the very kind director at one of the programs I visited. She said, “I can make you a puppet that looks just like Little Owl!” and then a few days later a delightful package arrived in the mail. Isn’t he darling! 

For  LITTLE EWE, I opted for a stuffed toy made by Gund rather than a puppet. I named her Little Ewe, of course, and doesn’t she look like she’s just hopped off the cover of the book – ready to share her story with children everywhere at author events? 

For BUNNY FINDS EASTER, and inspired by that kind ministry director who made Little Owl, I fashioned my own felt Bunny puppet and she was indeed a hit at visits, though the bunny hat I later made I think out dazzled her.  

And now, with two weeks to go until my first HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD school visit, I’m delighted to introduce you to Mouse, my newest puppet, who arrived in the mail today.  Designed by The Puppet Company I can’t wait to share him and the book this Christmas season. 

If you decide to bring a puppet along to your next author visit and want a few tips for creative ways to incorporate puppets into your presentation, stay tuned for next week’s blog post with 10 tips for doing just that!

TUESDAY THOUGHTS: Halos in Picture Books (Plus a Treasured Childhood Memory)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD is my first children’s book with halos. Can you spot them glowing on the cover over the heads of the Christmas family? They shine on each and every spread. I didn’t envision halos when I wrote the story, but I like them. They remind me of my childhood years spent in France. It was there that I was first introduced to these glowing nimbuses on family field trips to Notre Dame, Chartres and more. Then, and now, I find them to be artistically beautiful ways to represent both those who are divine (Jesus and God) and those who served God in special ways.  

So when I was asked what my take on them was and informed that there is currently great controversy over their inclusion in picture books, I was surprised. In my opinion, they are a joyous addition to HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD, providing lovely opportunity for conversations about what they are and how they can help to remind us of God’s loving mission to redeem the world.  

Here are a couple of sweet pictures from my childhood years in France. In the first, I am standing with my mother and sister on an elegant outing. Can you guess which one I am? The second is a snapshot taken by my dad on a trip to Chartres cathedral circa 1979. My mother is on the left looking up and I am sporting a very bright red hat. My sister is running joyfully in the middle.

Now, inspired by my mom who skillfully used halos to spark conversations about God on those special outings, here are FOUR suggestions for doing just that:

1. Set halos in historical context. I was fascinated to learn as a small child that halos in Christian art date back to the time when few could read words but all could “read” pictures and so churches were designed with biblical stories visually on display in the form of statues, paintings, and stained glass windows.  And what about those halos? As my mother explained to me, they were visual clues that the figures wearing them were either divine (i.e God or Jesus) or divinely appointed helpers with a special role to play.  
2. Introduce the idea of SYMBOLISM.  Ask your little ones if WE wear halos?  Ask them why they think we don’t?  Ask if they think Jesus actually wore a halo? What about God?  This will be an interesting conversation…. but wherever it takes you, be sure to conclude that NO, Jesus didn’t actually wear a halo, neither does God.  Halos are the creation of artists looking for a visual way to show God – or his special helpers. They are symbols, sort of like arrows – alerting us that the wearer is either God or someone important to God’s story.
3. Read a book with halos.  As you read HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS CHILD, or another book with halos, have your little one point to the halos on each page. (Hint: They are on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.)  Ask your child how the halos look?  Do they add a sense of warmth and love to the story?  And why do they think each has a halo?  Ponder all this together, concluding that Jesus has the halo because He’s God’s Holy Son! And Mary and Joseph have halos because they were blessed to be Jesus’ earthly parents – special helpers indeed.
4. After reading, go on a halo field trip. One of my favorite cathedral outing memories as a child was of going on halo hunts.  I think my mom did this to keep us entertained so she could listen to the tour guide, but I loved it. This is how they worked. First, we’d pick either a large window or maybe the statuary above the entrance. Next, we’d look for and count the halos. Finally, we’d see if we could figure out who the haloed figures were and how they could remind us of God’s power and love. You can do that in your community as well either by visiting a local church that has haloed figures or perhaps a museum that has a collection of medieval church art.  At Christmas time, you might even be able to spot some halos in people’s front yard nativity scenes!

Whatever your stance on halos, I pray that you and your little ones are filled with a sense of wonder, joy and thankfulness this Christmas as we celebrate the the birth of Jesus, God’s precious Son.

SPECIAL THANKS: A variation of this post appeared over at Big Books, Little Ears last week. I’d like to thank blogger/owner Kristin Wynalda for asking me this thought provoking question.

Also, Sophie, my pooch, is a bit incensed that I haven’t yet shared her interview over at Kathy O’ Neill’s delightful blog. Would you help make her happy and smooth over my oversight by popping over for a read? And maybe leave a comment for her? Here’s the link.

Mark Your Calendars: NOVEMBER AUTHOR EVENTS with LAURA SASSI (Plus an Interview)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS. I have several events at book stores, churches and a library planned for November with more on the way. If you are a school, church, mom’s group, library, or daycare, I’m booking now for winter and spring. Learn more in the “Author Visits and Speaking Engagements” tab. And now… the November line up, plus the link to my recent interview over at Frog on a Blog.

Book Your Holidays: Chester Authors Day

November 5, 2022 10am – 3pm
Chester Library
250 West Main Street
Chester, NJ

Lexington VA Book Book Signing with Laura Sassi

November 10, 2022, 3 – 5 pm
Downtown Books
13 W Nelson
Lexington VA

Holiday Book Signing with Laura Sassi

November 19, 2022, 11 – 3 pm
Jesus Book & Gift Store
675 US 1 South
Woodbridge, NJ

New Providence Presbyterian Church Live Nativity (with story time!)

November 25, 2022, late afternoon, specific times to follow
New Providence Presbyterian Church
1307 Springfield Avenue
New Providence NJ

’Tis the Season for Books! Book Signing with Laura Sassi

November 27, 2022, 1 – 3 pm
Periwinkles Fine Gifts
19 North Union Avenue
Cranford, NJ

“Joyful Noise” with guest author Laura Sassi

November 28, 2022 4:30 (Sign up at libertycorner.org/author-reading)
Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church
45 Church Street
Liberty Corner, NJ

And last, but not least, the link to my interview over at Frog on a Blog.

Note: 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 inspirational reflections, tips, interviews and more.