New release | Mindy Baker Books

Huge week ahead: Celebrating the release of GRANDMA SNUGGLES with author/illustrator interviews, video sneak peek, and a GIVE-AWAY!

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020 admin

It’s going to be a fabulous week here at Mindy Baker Books! I am hosting a BOOK GIVE-AWAY of Grandma Snuggles. Not only that, but BOTH the author and illustrator of Grandma Snuggles will be joining me on the blog to answer questions. Here is a peek at the line-up: (I can hardly wait!)

Monday: Interview with award-winning and best-selling author Glenys Nellist.

Tuesday: Interview with the incredibly talented illustrator of Grandma Snuggles, Gail Yerrill.

Wednesday: Videoclip of Glenys and Gail’s workspaces…a peek at where the magic happens!

Thursday: Special post about Glenys and Gail’s favorite illustrations from the book.

All week long you can enter to win the give-away!!!

Friday: I will post the WINNER OF THE GIVE-AWAY.

Here are the guidelines for the give-away!

Follow @GlenysNellist, @Gail99art, and @mindybakerbooks) on Instagram. (Must follow all three) Links available at the end of this post..scroll down.
Leave a comment on this blog post (or any post this week). Or leave a comment on any Instagram post this week.
**NOTE: This giveaway is sponsored by Zonderkidz (Thank you, Zonderkidz!) and only open to residents of the USA who have a physical street address (no PO boxes.)

For an extra entry, become a follower of this blog.

For even more entries, tag a friend on any Mindy Baker Books INSTAGRAM post this week through Thursday! (Tag as many friends as you like for multiple entries.)

I hope that all of you enter to win! Good luck!

And now for today’s big event…the interview with Glenys Nellist!

Glenys, it is such an honor to have you visit my blog this week. Thank you very much for being here. I know everyone is excited to talk with you so let’s jump right into the questions...

What inspired you to write Grandma Snuggles?

Ever since I wrote the board books, God Made Mommy Special and God Made Daddy Special, I’ve been asked the same question, over and over… when are you going to write God Made Grandma Special? So here it is, except that it’s called Grandma Snuggles because my publisher, Zonderkidz, thought that this was a more appealing title.

It is such an appealing title. The relationship between grandparent and child is so special!! And snuggly. 🙂 What is your favorite illustration from the book and why?

It is SO hard to choose, because every spread by Gail Yerrill is wonderful! If I had to pick one animal spread, it would have to be Grandma Cat, but my favorite illustration is actually this last one, where the human grandma is featured. I love it because it reminds me of baking with my four young grandchildren, which they all love to do.

Make sure to come back on Thursday to see the post that reveals the Grandma Cat and the human grandma! They are very adorable!

Glenys, I also wanted to talk about your newsletter. I really enjoy receiving that each week, and I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about it. What inspired you to write your weekly newsletter Links to Lovely Things and how do you curate the content for that?

I used to write a quarterly newsletter where I featured only news about my own books. But about six months ago I decided to begin a weekly newsletter that might appeal to a wider audience. I think we’re all in need of some loveliness in our world right now! I search for five or six lovely things to share each week, such as good news stories I come across, new children’s book releases, lovely photographs, poems, crafts for kids or heart-warming articles. We live in such a busy world, and so my tagline is: Follow the links you like, leave the ones you don’t. If you’d like to check it out, here’s my most recent one:

Book Review of QUINN SAYS GOODBYE by Christie Thomas

September 13, 2019September 13, 2019 admin

Cover of Quinn Says Goodbye — Quinn Says Goodbye

In Quinn Says Goodbye, written by Christie Thomas and illustrated by Sydney Hanson, Quinn meets a new friend, an injured firefly named Blink. She and her mother help the firefly heal. Quinn doesn’t understand why one evening, when she wakes up, Blink is gone. Mama is there to help comfort Quinn and reassure her that God promises to always be with us.

Quinn Says Goodbye is designed to help children cope with grief and loss. It includes a section in the back with conversation starter questions for parents and caregivers, to assist with those difficult discussions that occur in life.

I thought Quinn Says Goodbye was a sweet story, and I loved the illustrations. Quinn’s big eyes!! And the use of light was really eye-appealing. I was inspired to make a Pinterest Board of Owls and FIreflies. Maybe you will like one of the pins and want to try a craft with your child. Here is the link to the board.

I had the opportunity to meet Christie at a writing conference in May. She is full of ideas and energy, with a contagious smile and laugh. I really enjoyed getting to know her!

Christie, I wish you all the best with this book and all of your writing endeavors!

You can purchase book on Amazon and at other book retailers.

About the author:

Christie Thomas writes about cultivating authentic faith in the home. She is the author of Quinn’s Promise Rock and the interactive devotional book Wise for Salvation. She has also written for various websites, including the MOB Society and For Every Mom. Christie lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three boys. You can visit her website here.

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review: Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

September 7, 2019September 7, 2019 admin

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!

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!

Author life, Book Review and Author Interviews

Interview with Amy Houts, author of GOD’S PROTECTION COVERS ME (and give-away)

May 23, 2019May 27, 2019 admin

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.

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 original post. 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!

Click here to buy book on Amazon.