Author Glenys Nellist has teamed up with Illustrator Cee Biscoe and created the latest book in the Snuggle TIme series published by Zonderkidz. It is full of cozy fall rhymes and illustrations sure to warm your heart. My favorite page was:
Bonfire and s’mores with a Snuggle Time book!
Bonfire!
Snuggle in your blanket,
Underneath the moon,
Watch the bonfire burning–
S’mores are ready soon!
The adorable parent and child bunnies watching the crackling fire made me think of all the wonderful family bonfires we have had over the years.
If you are the parent or grandparent of a little one, you will love to own this book! It is available on Amazon and many other book retailers.
Congratulations, Glenys! I wish you all the best with your writing!
From Nothing, written by Natalee Creech, illustrated by Joseph Cowman. Published by WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. All rights reserved.
Today I am interviewing author Natalee Creech about her new picture book Nothing. If you haven’t seen this book, you should definitely put it on your list. It is darling, and best of all, packed full of TRUTH that can impact the hearts of the children in your life!
First, I have to ask, what inspired this story? And, in addition, what do you hope your readers take away from reading your book?
I started writing NOTHING when I was teaching first grade at a Christian school. I was always on the lookout for books (songs, poems etc.) that would reinforce our weekly Bible lesson and memory verse. It was easy to find books that focused on heroes of the Bible and well-known stories, but harder to find books about a specific verse or theological concept. I don’t think I had decided to try and become a published children’s author when I began writing NOTHING. Rather, it grew out of my teaching, my faith, and my hobby of writing poetry. When I did decide to pursue publishing, it was a piece that I continued to work on.
Ultimately, NOTHING is about God’s unconditional love. It reassures children that wherever they go they can never go away from his love, and they can never lose God’s love because of their actions. Readers may find that it’s also about forgiveness, grace, and parents’ unconditional love. Romans 8:38-39 is a powerful reassurance for children and adults alike. How amazing (and humbling!) that the God of the universe loves us, and that there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from that love!
That is a powerful truth for sure and an important take-away for all of us! My next question is to help new authors and writers.What advice would you give new authors for brainstorming story ideas?
If you are a picture book writer I would say to write down any glimpse of potential brilliance as soon as it comes to mind. It may or may not turn into a book, but if you don’t record it, you will surely forget it, no matter how many times you repeat it to yourself and promise yourself you will not! Yes, I am speaking from experience here, and, shamefully, it took multiple times to learn this lesson. Make it a habit to carry around a notebook because somehow this act heightens your general awareness. Just having the intention of writing ideas down tunes you in more closely to your surroundings. You might be surprised what you notice when you take the time to listen and see.
I love the notebook idea! I will have to try it. Would you mind describing your road to publication? How did you find your agent and publisher?
I have always loved children’s books; as a child, as a college student studying education, and as an adult before having children of my own. However, it took me a long time to admit to myself and to my family that writing for children was a dream I wanted to pursue. In 2015 I joined the SCBWI. I wrote while I was teaching full-time. When we moved from South Korea back to the United States for a few years I chose to find a job that didn’t occupy my mind outside of work hours as much as teaching did. I had a hard time turning off my teacher brain outside of school and wanted to have more creative energy for writing. Fortunately, the public library was hiring and it was the perfect place to work while taking steps toward becoming published. During the time I was in the U.S. I connected with my agent, Adria Goetz, through #faithpitch. I also wrote the manuscript which turned into my first picture book WHEN DAY IS DONE. (Beaming Books, February 2019) Adria sold NOTHING to Worthy Kids a few months later.
Congratulations! It is really fun to hear “road to publication” stories. Everyone’s journey is so unique. Also, I really loved the illustrations in your book. Do you have a favorite page/illustration in the book? If so, what is it and why? Did you submit your manuscript with any illustrative notes or did you leave it all up to your illustrator and publisher?
I love all of the illustrations! Joseph Cowman did an absolutely amazing job. I was nervous about the illustrations because they are so critical to a picture book’s success. We judge books – especially picture books – by their covers and illustrations every day. That being said, I didn’t submit any art notes with the manuscript.
Interestingly, my favorite illustration is part of a substory that I did not detail in the text. Near the end of the book a little girl joyously rides her bike through a garden of yellow tulips, totally decimating them in the act. On the next page she realizes what she has done and presents her father with a bouquet of the tulips. Then comes my favorite illustration with the text: “You’re loved and forgiven. What a wonderful thing! You’re adopted as God’s own. You’re a child of the King!” You see the girl, lifted high in her father’s hands as he spins her around. The girl wears a garland of yellow tulips on her head. I love the symbolism of the flowers as a crown, matched to the text about being a child of the King. I also love that the tulips, representing her sin, through grace become a symbol of redemption. Even though the idea of forgiveness and redemption was in my text it was the illustrator, art director and editor that provided all those details.
Natalee’s favorite spread from Nothing!
I really love this illustration, too. It is fun to “see” the one you like the most. Well, I have one more question for you, I’m wondering if you have any other exciting news you might like to share?
I just found out that NOTHING will be translated into Hungarian, which is amazing and humbling to me!
Wow! That is really amazing news! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! Thanks so much for joining us today, Natalie. It has been a special treat to chat with you!I love your book so much, and its message. I am definitely planning to share it with the kids I teach in Children’s Church in the upcoming weeks. I wish you all the best!
Daddy’s Favorite Sound is a wonderful new picture book by Brock and Kinley Eastman that would make the perfect Father’s Day gift. Filled with loving scenes of a daddy spending time with his daughter, the illustrations depict a warm, playful, and loving home environment. Little Lion is on a quest to figure out what Daddy’s favorite sound could be. Here are some of her guesses:
A whistle,
Milk slurping,
A slinky,
Car horn,
Mechanical horse at the grocery store,
Bouncy ball,
Carrot crunching,
Sound of the wind,
Mane trimmer,
Fire in the fireplace,
Coffee maker,
Deflating balloon,
Clapping,
Gargling mouthwash,
Or the words “Daddy, I love you.”
I’ll let you guess which one on the list is the correct answer!
The book is perfect for a special read-aloud with Daddy, and invites the readers to playfully make the noises of the book as they read. You can imagine how much fun this could be to read together! You can purchase the book at this link: Daddy’s Favorite Sound on Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Brock Eastman and his wife live in Colorado with their four kids, two cats, and leopard gecko. Brock is the author of The Quest for Truth series, the Sages of Darkness series, Showdown with the Shepherd in the Imagination Station series, and the novella Wasted Wood. He writes articles for FamilyFiction digital magazine and Clubhouse magazine. You may have seen him on the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast and on its Social Shout-Out. He was the first producer of and launched the Odyssey Adventure Club. Brock currently works for Compassion International, whose mission is to release kids from poverty worldwide. You can find out more about Brock and Kinley at Brock’s website: http:brockeastman.com
Today I am happy to interview Amy Houts, author of God’s Protection Covers Me. This wonderful book released this week on Tuesday, May 21st. I had a chance to get a sneak peek at this adorable book even before it came out, and I know it is one that toddlers will love. It is full of sweet animals and their homes, and it uses the metaphor of our houses to show the way God protects us. What a great truth for children to learn. Let’s ask Amy some questions…Amy, I’m so glad you could join us today. Thank you very much for being here!
Tell a little about your writer’s journey. How did you get started in writing?
I’m not one of those people who always knew I wanted to be a writer. I started writing when my daughter, Emily, was a baby and I was at home with her. I wanted something fun to do while she napped. About that time, my parents had started a newsletter for parents of young children. Because I had attended cooking school, The Culinary Institute of America, they asked me to write a monthly cooking column, “Preschooler in the Kitchen.” My daughter and I would cook something together and I would write about it. I continued to write that column for 12 years. I learned discipline in meeting writing deadlines as well as the joy of writing down my experiences.
Author Amy Houts
That had to be such a special time with your daughter. I am sure she treasures those cooking experiments! What are several more of your author highlights?
The first was my Christmas poem accepted for publication in 1985. I was paid $5. Someone else (besides my parents) thought my work was publishable. My dream come true–my first picture book, An A*B*C Christmas, was published by Standard in 1993. Writing several activity books featuring the cartoon character, Dora the Explorer, was memorable. As was working with educational publishers Pearson, Compass, and Stone Arch on assignment. In 2011 I started “Houts & Home Publications LLC,” publishing a few of my own books and board games. Writing Bible fingerplays (and more) for Group Publishing has been a joy. And, of course, my newest picture book, God’s Protection Covers Me, is so exciting.
You have had some very unique opportunities. I enjoyed browsing your website. It is such a fascinating snapshot of your many writing successes. I am curious, what was the inspiration behind God’s Protection Covers Me? What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
Twenty five years ago, when An A*B*C Christmas was published, my editor from Standard, Diane Stortz, suggested I write about “God’s Big Umbrella.” I love that image! I tried, but it didn’t come together. Off and on, I would try to develop it, but it wasn’t until just a few years ago that it finally worked. I hope my readers take away the feeling of safety, comfort, and joy that is offered by God’s protective care.
I saw that you have a workshops coming up with the SCWBI. Can you tell us more about it and how we could register to be apart of it?
I’m teaching a webinar 7:30-9 pm (CDT) Thursday, June 6 through the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators on “Writing for the Christian Market.” I’ll be talking about what I’ve learned in the past 35 years since my first poem was published. I’ve worked both on assignment and freelance writing books, articles, and more. Kris Weipert, editor of the magazine for children, St. Mary’s Messenger, will be co-hosting. You don’t have to be a member of SCBWI to attend. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. You can find out more information and sign up here.
That sounds like a fantastic webinar, I know I’m going to check it out. Finally, do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
Through my small publishing company, Houts & Home, I’m working on a children’s book about women’s voting rights for centennial celebration in 2020. Based on the 1913 diary of a young woman from my hometown of Maryville, Missouri, it follows a trombone player in a ladies band who march on Washington.
What a unique idea! I can’t wait to read the finished product! Thank you so much Amy, for being willing to answer my questions!
If you didn’t know, I am hosting a give-away for a copy of God’s Protection Covers Me. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post, or on my review of Amy’s book that is posted on the Christian Children’s Authors blog. Click here for link to my post on CCA blog. You may enter twice (once on this post, and once on the CCA blog post). I will announce the winner on both sites. Contest ends Monday, May 27 at 6:00 pm. ***Note: this date is different than my originalpost. I am postponing it a few days to allow for more entries.
Congrats to Melissa Henderson! You win a copy of Amy’s book. Amy will be contacting you soon with all of the details!
Looking for a way to introduce your children to world cultures world missions? I recommend Operation World’s Window on the World. With over 90 countries and people groups highlighted, as well as a section for each major world religion, it is a wonderful tool for families who want to emphasize and pray for world missions in their homes. The newly revised edition includes up-to-date information on countries like Uzbekistan and India, two countries that are dear to my heart. I love how the colorful pages filled with photos not only include prayer points, fact files, and maps, but also tell how children in each culture live, what they wear and eat, and what they like to do. Window on the World is also available in e-book.
