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

FIVE FUN FACTS about MY TENDER HEART BIBLE

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.

Book Review and Author Interviews, Fun for kids, Kid Ministry, My Faith, Parent and Child Connection

A Chat With Laura Sassi About Her New Book

Today I’m highlighting Bunny Finds Easter, the latest board book from author Laura Sassi. I invited Laura here today because I wanted to discuss how much the role of the illustrations play in bringing a picture book story to life. I’m so thrilled that she accepted my request!

MINDY: First of all, Laura, thank you so much for stopping by! What a treat for you to be here!

LAURA: I’m happy to join you, Mindy. I love to discuss picture books!

MINDY: I have to tell you, Laura, how much I have enjoyed my advance copy! I really love that Jesus is highlighted so prominently as the reason we celebrate Easter. That is so dear to my heart and my faith! I also adore the illustrations in this book and wanted to discuss that topic with you a little bit. I know that once you turn your manuscript in, the artist job begins. It is always amazing to me how much charm illustrators are able to add to the text. My first question for you is, what is your favorite page spread in this book? 

LAURA: Truly, I love them all but I’m going to pick the spread that reads “She hops to town. Cheep. Chirp. Who’s there?  Babies, babies, everywhere!” because I think it captures beautifully the amplified way that the illustrations add heart and depth to the story in board books. 

MINDY: What do you love about it?

LAURA: At first glance, this spread seems simple enough. But if you look carefully, there are oodles of picture clues and story elements for littlest ones and their parents to notice and enjoy. 

First, the text says simply “Babies, babies, everywhere.” The illustrations fill that out with adorable chicks sliding down a hay stack while a mother hen (with matching Easter bonnet and purse) looks one. But there are other babies, too. Can you spot the tadpoles?  

MINDY: I do spot them! So adorable!

LAURA: Second, observant little ones might notice that Mama is now carrying a bouquet of lilies. These are the lilies that Bunny clipped on the previous spread. Now we know why she clipped them. For Mama!

MINDY: I love how the story connects from page to page. Brilliant!

LAURA: Third, look what’s peeking through in the background. It’s the church!  If you are observant, you will notice that from this spread on, Bunny keeps hopping closer and closer to church.  I like to think of this as the board book version of foreshadowing because guess where Bunny will discover what Easter is all about?  If you guessed that the will find the final clue in that little chapel, you are right!

MINDY: I am so intrigued by this! What else?

LAURA: Other details to notice on the spread. The houses. Where is everybody? On their way to church, maybe? And is Bunny holding a basket? Why might that be? (Hint: It’s a clue to the activity on the next page.)

MINDY: Wow, Laura! The illustrator truly did a fabulous job bringing your words to life! I have loved taking this deeper look at some of the treasures on each page.

LAURA: Yes, the illustrations are so important in picture books!

MINDY: One other thing I wanted to ask, I have heard you mentioning on social media about some fantastic freebies that accompany this book. Can you tell us how we can take advantage of these opportunities?

LAURA: Yes, Zonderkidz has created two great resources for BUNNY FINDS EASTER. The first is an activity kit that includes coloring pages, a maze, a printable Easter card and more. Here’s the link for that: https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/parents-teachers-kidmin-download-your-free-activity-kit-for-bunny-finds-easter-2/

The second is an instruction sheet for a BUNNY FINDS EASTER book walk, an intergenerational event in which participants walk from station to station to read spreads from the story and have an activity at the end. Here’s the link for that: https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2022/01/24/host-a-bunny-finds-easter-book-walk-free-printable-resource/

MINDY: Both of these resources look fantastic and fun. I truly can’t recommend it your new book enough, especially as the perfect gift to be tucked into an Easter basket! Thank you so much for joining me today, Laura! I wish you all the best in your future writing endeavors. I know you have a book coming out this fall for the Christmas season. I will be following your blog to hear more details about that one, too!

LAURA: Thanks for having me! It has been a delight to chat together.

MINDY: Thank you, Laura! It has been a treat!

And, for all of you readers, if you are interested in buying the book, here is a link.

Also, to find out more about Laura and her other books, check out her website or follower her on social media. I also recommend following her blog. She posts regularly with fantastic content!

Did you know?? Laura and I work together with several other authors including Rebecca Gomez, Tina Cho, and Trine Grillo on a new website called www.readdiscussdo.com. I will be doing another interview with Laura there later this month.

Watch for more details and thanks for joining us today!

Mouse's Christmas Gift

12 Days of Christmas Books Contest CCA: Enter to win!

Today I made my first post with christianchildrensauthors.com.  Starting in 2019, I will be blogging on their site one time every other month. I am excited to participate with them in this way!

For 2018, I am participating in their 12 Days of Christmas Books currently going on this month.

 I am DAY 9
That means I am holding a contest this week on their site and giving away a copy of Mouse’s Christmas Gift. 

My post on Christian Children’s Authors website

Feel free to click over to that site and enter. To enter, either leave a comment on that blog. If you share the post from their site either on Twitter or on Facebook you will receive an extra entry for a total of up to “3” chances to win.

Thanks for your interest in Mouse’s Christmas Gift!  Good luck in the contest!

Congrats to EMILY!  A book will be sent very shortly!  Thanks to all who entered on the CCA website post!

Mouse's Christmas Gift

Blog Tour #4 – Read. Discuss. Do! with Rebecca J. Gomez

A big thanks to Rebecca J. Gomez for reading Mouse’s Christmas Gift and creating a Read, Discuss, Do! activity to go along with the story. Click below to access her blog and learn more about the idea.

Read. Discuss. Do! with Rebecca J. Gomez on her blog

If you haven’t seen her Read, Discuss, Do! activities, you will want to look into more of them. She has fabulous ideas for how to spend quality time with your kids connecting over children’s books.

Book Review and Author Interviews, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Christmas in July — Follow the link to my first interview

My friend and romantic fiction novelist Penelope Powell interviewed me for her blog.

This month’s theme is  CHRISTMAS IN JULY…so Mouse’s Christmas Gift made an appearance.

You can read my post by clicking on this link:

Link to interview on Penelope’s Blog

Penny now has two novels published with Anaiah Press and a Christmas novella on the way, to be released November 16, 2018.

The titles are:

Glen Oak Series — A Powerful Voice
Glen Oak Series– A Furrow So Deep
Christmas Novella — My Christmas Hope



Penny’s website

I’m honored she ask me to visit her website!  Thanks, Penny!