Category: Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review and Author Interviews, Fun for kids, Giveaway, Prize winner

And the winner of the Sassi Book Bundle is…

admin

Angela Degroot is the winner!

Congratulations! I know you will love having these books in your home library.

Thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to Laura once again on this beautiful book.

And thank you to Worthy Books for donating a copy of Faithful Feet.

(I’m hoping to have several more giveaways in the coming months).

Stay tuned, and keep spending quality time with your kids. Books are great discussion starters and a wonderful way to build together time!

See you next time!

#mindybakerbooks #giveawaywinner #faithfulfeet #worthybooks #laurasassi #christianbooks #kidlit

Book Review and Author Interviews, Fun for kids, Giveaway, Kid Ministry, My Faith

Five Fun Facts about FAITHFUL FEET with Author Laura Sassi

admin

Today I have a treat for you! Author Laura Sassi has stopped by to share Five Fun Facts about her new release from Worthy Kids entitled Faithful Feet! Thanks for being here, Laura. What are your facts?

Thanks for having me on your blog, Mindy! Here are the facts I thought of to share with your readers.

Fact One: This is my first book with Worthy Kids and my eleventh book overall. It’s the 10th that rhymes, the 5th to include references to specific Bible verses, and the first to be illustrated by an Italian ( and beautifully)!  You can learn more about illustrator Emanuel Di Donna here.  (https://thebrightagency.com/uk/childrens-illustration/artists/emanuela-di-donna)

Fact Two: Faithful Feet is inspired by a favorite Bible verse of mine from the Old Testament.  From Isaiah 52:7, it reads, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…”  That image of feet running to tell of God’s amazing grace captured my imagination and I ran with it! 

Fact Three: The opening of the book which begins “Feet are funny don’t you think?” was originally just a silly poem I wrote as a warm-up exercise to get my ideas flowing one morning several years ago. It remained unexplored in my writer’s notebook until one day, as I was looking through that old notebook, I spotted it. With the verse above (see Fact Two) already on my heart, I knew when I saw the poem that I had the opening for my book. 

Fact Four: I had fun brainstorming which Bible characters’ feet to include in this rhyming narrative. I was striving to get a mix of male, female, young, old etc. I also wanted the feet to be hairy, smooth, dusty and so on, in keeping with that opening verse. Whose feet did I finally pick? Noah’s, Daniel’s, David’s, Mary’s and, of course, Jesus’s feet!  I also included the feet of those who followed Jesus to listen and be healed, as well as the feet of the women who ran to tell the good news of Jesus’ resurrection that first Easter morning.

Fact Five: This book isn’t really about feet! As I explain in the “Author’s Note” at the beginning of the book, I think feet are a wonderful visual reminder and metaphor for what God desires most from us—that we actively trust, love, and walk with Him spiritually. So even though I use feet to tell this story, the book is really about actively loving and trusting God and letting His love flow through us to others.

Learn more about the book, including how to get the free activity kit, over at my website:  https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/books/faithful-feet/

I loved hearing these facts! In case you didn’t know I am hosting a SASSI BOOK BUNDLE GIVEAWAY over the next few days (January 9-11). You can enter to win Faithful Feet, and two of my favorite of Laura’s other titles. I will announce the winners on my blog and Instagram account on January 12th.

Here is the link to enter!

Thank you for having me as your guest, Mindy!

It is always a treat to have you visit my blog! Best wishes on a wonderful new title.

Buy the book Faithful Feet

CONTEST DETAILS:

This giveaway is running from January 9-11, 2025.

To enter, click the link above and provide your first name and email.

This contest is open to residents in the continental United States with a USA postal mailing address.

One winner will be announced on Instagram and my website on January 12, 2025.

There is ONE PRIZE BUNDLE valued at $36.

Worthy Books will mail you the book Faithful Feet. Mindy Baker will mail you the other two books (My Tender Heart Devotions and Bunny Finds Easter).

By entering, you are consenting to receive occasional content from Mindy Baker. You may unsubscribe at any time.




Book Review and Author Interviews, Devotional, family devotions, Kid Ministry

5 Fun Facts from Laura Sassi about her latest release!

admin

Hey everyone! I have a special treat for you today! My friend Laura Sassi just released the third book in her TENDER HEART SERIES and she is here today to give us the inside scoop!

Here are 5 fun facts about her lastest release entitled MY TENDER HEART DEVOTIONS!

My Tender Heart Devotions: Five Fun Facts

Fact #1:  I originally pitched My Tender Heart Devotions as a collection of 40 devotions. As I was writing it, however, the ideas kept flowing so I asked the team at Paraclete if we could expand it to 50. My editor said yes. Then I thought, why stop at 50? Why not make it 52 so that there could be one devotional for each week of the year?  The team at Paraclete Press thought that was a great idea and so that’s why there are 52 in the final printed version.

Fact #2: This is the third in the My Tender Heart series.  Expanding on the format of the first two books, My Tender Heart Bible and My Tender Heart Prayer Book, the devotional combines fun rhyming poems, scripture, short Biblically-grounded messages and Heart Moments of response to plant seeds of faith in tender hearts. I hope and pray this newest installment nurtures a new generation that loves digging into God’s word, connecting with Him through prayer, and responding by sharing God’s love with others. 

Fact #3: Illustrator Sandra Eide and I both love dogs (and cats and bunnies and hamsters)!  One of neat little details you will notice in this book and the other two in the series is that Sandra has included adorable dogs on many spreads. There’s even a canine cutie on the cover of the book (along with a cute kitten).  As you read this book along with the other two, see how many dogs you can spot.  And if you follow us on our socials you will quickly notice that we both like to post about our cute pooches, too.  Woof! Woof!

Fact #4: This is my first book that includes an index! Because this book contains 52 devotions spanning 112 pages, I decided that a topical index might be helpful so parents, teachers, children’s ministry folk so they can more can quickly and easily find the devotion that fits the need of the moment. The index includes topics like forgiveness, patience, serving others, praising God and more.

Fact #5: There are many ways parents, pastors and teachers can use this sweet devotional to grow their children’s faith.  Because there are 52 weeks in a year, a family or class can read and reflect on one each week during a family/class Bible study time.  A children’s pastor can use selections from the book as the spark for a children’s message during a church service. But my favorite way might just be at night, as the cozy wrap up to story time so that a child’s day concludes with sweet thoughts of God’s love and a bedtime prayer.  

THANKS, LAURA!!

I received a beautiful copy in the mail and I think it is one of the best new resources I have seen in a long time written to help you impart spiritual truth to your toddler or pre-school child! Each devotion has a simple poem, a vers, a kid-friendly lesson, and a heart moment. Its engaging lessons and charming rhyme are perfect of little hearts! You will definitely want to invest in this resource for your family!

You can order the book using this link: MY TENDER HEART DEVOTIONS

Find out more about Laura Sassi at her website: LAURA SASSI TALES

#mytenderheart #familyresources #devotions #familydevotions #preschool #paraclete

Board Book, Book Review and Author Interviews, Children's Bible, Giveaway, Kid Ministry

FIVE FUN FACTS about MY TENDER HEART BIBLE

admin

I’m so thrilled to welcome my friend Laura Sassi to the blog today. She is here to tell us five fun facts about her latest book published by Paraclete Press. You will also find details about the opportunity to win a copy of MY TENDER HEART BIBLE at the bottom of the post.

FIVE FUN FACTS about MY TENDER HEART BIBLE with Laura Sassi

Here is what Laura had to say:

Fact #1: Writing My Tender Heart Bible was a dream project. From the time my children were little, God planted an idea in my heart — to write my own rhyming Bible story collection. Because rhyming text is appealing to little ears, I believed it would lend itself beautifully introducing littlest ones to deep truths in a short fun format. It only took 15 years or so, ha-ha, for that idea to become reality!

Fact #2: I had written only FOUR of the TWELVE  when I pitched the idea to Paraclete, but had the whole collection in mind. When they said, “Yes!” I was able to then write and polish the final manuscript within the time frame of a couple of months. This was possible because I had been so prayerful and thoughtful in my planning. I wanted to make sure that both individually, and as a whole, the stories conveyed several key themes including that God loves them, that He is good, that God Keeps His promises, even we grumble or fuss or break ours, and that He has a plan to redeem us through His son Jesus.

Fact #3: Each rhyming Bible story is paired with a Bible verse, a Heart Moment, and a beautiful illustration with lots to notice. I chose this format for several reasons. First, I included Bible citations so that little readers and their families would know that these aren’t just any stories – they are stories from God’s Word. Second, illustrations with lots to point to and ponder were also important so that children could really immerse themselves in the story (and hasn’t illustrator Sandra Eide done a marvelous job!) Finally, I wanted each story experience to conclude with a Heart Moment of prayer because when we encounter God’s love and God’s word, it touches our hearts and begs us to respond!

Fact #4: My Tender Heart Bible is not your typical board book. Yes, the format is board book, but the content has way more text than a traditional board book. Thematically, it’s also much richer, with much more to ponder than a typical board book. Each spread is a story unto itself and, unlike most board books which are designed to be read in one sitting, I envision families picking just one out of the twelve to read at a sitting.  Gauging from the kids and families I’ve shared the book with so far, it’s suitable for a nice broad range of ages – birth to up eight years old – which is perfect for reading as a family with multi-aged siblings.

Fact #5: The publisher has created some awesome resources to go with the book.  Because My Tender Heart Bible is the first of a series (ooh, I could have made that Fun Fact #6!), Paraclete Press has created a website for all things My Tender Heart at https://mytenderheartbooks.com. There you will find free downloadable resources for My Tender Heart Bible including book-themed illustrated printable memory verse cards, greeting cards, and other fun things like a  book trailer and an inspirational video.  The website also lists upcoming book events and even has a contact page. I hope you will check it out. 

Mindy here: Thank you so much, Laura! I loved hearing your 5 fun facts about your book. I love the project and think it will be a treasure for years to come. Best wishes!

Check out this beautiful interior photo!

Interior photo used with permission

About Laura Sassi:

Laura Sassi finds great joy in writing picture books for children. She is the author of seven published books for children with the eighth and ninth scheduled to release in 2023. She loves visiting schools and engaging with writers, parents, church groups and more at special events. You can interact with her at her website (Link below).

Book trailer

Author website

And now for the Give-Away!

RULES TO ENTER:

  1. First, make sure you are following @mindybakerbooks and @LauraSassitales on Instagram.
  2. For one entry, leave a comment on this blog post or on any @mindybakerbooks Instagram post about My Tenderheart Bible (This week’s posts only).
  3. For an additional entry, tag a friend on one of the Instagram posts. (one additional entry per tag) or share the post to your stories tagging @mindybakerbooks and @laurasassitales.
  4. For 10 entries, sign up to receive my mini-magazine.
  5. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 15, at 6pm EST
  6. Winner will be announced March 16 on this blog and on @mindybakerbooks Instagram account.

You must be living in the continental United States to win. Paraclete Press is sponsoring this give-away and will mail the winner the book. A big thank you Laura Sassi and to Paraclete Press for this offer.

Board Book, Book Review and Author Interviews, Easter, family devotions, Giveaway, My Faith, Parent and Child Connection

Introducing Snuggle Time Easter Stories (Plus Giveaway!)

admin

Glenys Nellist has a darling new release just in time for the Easter Season. It is the latest in her Snuggle Time Series entitled Snuggle Time Easter Stories. Illustrated by Cee Biscoe and published by Zonderkidz, it is just the right text to introduce your little one to Jesus and the meaning of Easter.

The poems and Scripture that are included are Easter Song (Zephaniah 3:17), Easter Story (1 John 3:16), The Donkey (John 12:14), The Last Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24), Washing Feet (John 15:12), In the Garden (Mark 14:46), Jesus Dies on the Cross (Luke 23:45), Jesus Comes Alive (Luke 24:6), Mary’s Story (John 20:18), Breakfast on the Beach (Matthew 28:19), Jesus Is With You (John 20:31), and Song of Hope (Revelation 1:18).

That is a lot of truth packed into one book!

Your child will also enjoy finding the two bunnies on each page spread. Can you find them in the pictures below?

The book also offers a free activity download.

Also, check out this video trailer.

If you would like to purchase the book, you can order it here.

To find out more about Glenys Nellist and all of her wonderful titles, visit her website!

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS!

I am so happy to be giving away one copy of Snuggle Time Easter Stories!

This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, Zonderkidz, and is open to entrants living in the USA with a physical street address (no PO boxes.) 

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Follow @mindybakerbooks and @glenysnellist on Instagram and leave a comment on any Instagram post this weekend about the give-away.

2. You can also tag a friend on any Instagram post this weekend for even more entries. One entry per tag.

3. Share the post to your stories and tag myself and Glenys. One entry per story share.

4. Leave a comment on this blog post for an additional entry.

5. For 10 additional entries, follow this blog and/or subscribe to my mini-magazine. You will receive free bi-monthly content and also be notified of any new posts.

6. You must enter by 6pm EST on Friday, March 25, 2022. I will draw the winner and post the result here and on Instagram Saturday morning, March 26, 2022.

I can’t wait to see who wins!

Glenys, I’m so happy for you with this latest book. It is adorable!