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Summary
In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie Fentress interviews Michelle Lazurek, co-author of the book 'Who God Wants Me to Be.' They discuss the importance of helping children discover their calling and aligning it with God's plan for their lives. They explore the difference between choosing a career and knowing God, and how parents can encourage their children in their journey. They also share personal stories of how God has guided their paths. Michelle shares her upcoming projects and invites listeners to connect with her.

Takeaways

• Help children discover their calling and align it with God's plan for their lives.
• Choosing a career is important, but knowing God is even more crucial.
• Parents can encourage their children by knowing them well and affirming their gifts.
• Model obedience and seek God's guidance in decision-making.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction

01:21 The Message of the Book

06:15 Choosing a Career vs. Knowing God

09:19 Encouraging Children in Their Journey

15:05 Modeling Obedience and Seeking God's Will

19:27 Personal Stories and God's Guidance

24:17 What's Next for Michelle

26:45 Conclusion

Find out more about Michelle and her book on the links below.

MICHELLE LAZUREK - HOME

Who God Wants Me to Be: A Picture Book: Bowman, Crystal, Lazurek, Michelle S., Eide, Sandra: 9780593235751: Amazon.com: Books

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Summary

In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie Fentress interviews Lori Z. Scott, the author of young adult suspense books. They discuss topics such as sports, writing, and the importance of incorporating faith into storytelling. Lori shares her journey of choosing the topic of sex trafficking for her book and the impact she hopes to make on teen readers. She also talks about her experience as a teacher and how it influences her writing. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Lori's upcoming projects and where to find her books.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:44 Sports and Writing
03:35 Choosing the Topic of Sex Trafficking
05:14 Incorporating Faith into the Storyline
13:44 Teaching and Writing
16:17 Message for Teen Readers
19:27 Becoming an Author
20:44 Most Inspirational Book
24:47 Upcoming Projects
26:27 Contact Information

Find out more about Lori Z. Scott and her book on the links below.

Lori Z. Scott (lori-z-scott.com)

Amazon.com: Offsides eBook: Scott, Lori: Kindle Store

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Play it Again with Kylie Beevers
Full Transcript can be found at www.valeriefentress.com/blog

Summary
In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie Fentress interviews Kylie Beavers, the author of the middle-grade fantasy adventure, Rise of the Living Wood. They discuss Kylie's background, living on a farm, and her connection with nature. They also explore the incorporation of faith in children's literature and the challenges of writing a fantasy book without magic. Kylie shares her inspiration for 'Rise of the Living Wood' and the journey of the main character, Bramble. She also talks about her writing journey, favorite books, and current reading list. Finally, Kylie reveals her future projects and where to find more information about her and her books.

Takeaways
Living close to nature and connecting with the outdoors can be a source of inspiration for writing.

• Incorporating faith in children's literature can provide a counterbalance to the darkness and confusion present in some content.
• Fantasy books can be written without magic, focusing on the elements of make-believe and fiction.
• Using animals as main characters in fantasy allows readers to see the world from a different perspective.
• Publishing a book at a young age can be daunting but can also be a step toward faith and reliance on God's guidance.
• The 'Rise of the Living Wood' series aims to convey messages of hope, fearlessness, and the significance of light.
• Trilogies provide a complete and satisfying storytelling experience, allowing for the exploration of multiple themes and character arcs.
• Writing can be a journey of self-discovery and growth, and anyone who writes can consider themselves a writer.
• Favorite books can have a profound impact on a writer's style and storytelling approach.
• Reading a variety of books, including middle-grade and non-fiction, can broaden one's perspective and inspire new ideas.
• Future projects from Kylie Beavers include the release of 'Journey to Amber Forest' and a novella for the Livingwood Chronicles series.

Chapters
00:00-Introduction and Background

01:07-Living on a Farm and Connecting with Nature

03:08-Incorporating Faith in Children's Literature

05:13-Writing a Fantasy Book without Magic

07:48-Using Animals as Main Characters in Fantasy

09:15-Inspiration for 'Rise of the Living Wood'

11:41-Taking on the Task of Publishing at a Young Age

12:31-The Message of 'Rise of the Living Wood'

13:56-The Journey of Bramble and the Trilogy

15:47-The Start of the Writing Journey

16:46-Favorite Books and Reading Recommendations

18:35-Current Reading List

21:04-Future Projects

22:05-Where to Find More Information

Find out more about Kylie and her books on the links below.

 
LivingWoodChronicles | Kylie Beevers | Substack

Kylie Beevers | Instagram | Linktree

Rise of the LivingWood: Beevers, Kylie: 9798366688697: Amazon.com: Books

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Join Valerie Fentress as she chats with Courtney J. Strong and Illustrator Carissa J. Robertson about their children's Christmas Book, A Trail of Unexpected Gifts.

We talk Christmas traditions, family, and about the efforts of Vision Rescue in India

Find out more about Vision Rescue and the book on the links below.

Vision Rescue - NGO For Underprivileged Child Education & Support

The Trail of Unexpected Gifts: Strong, Courtney J, Robertson, Carissa: 9781632966223: Amazon.com: Books

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Play it Again with Valerie Ellis
Full Transcript can be found at www.valeriefentress.com/blog

Join Valerie Fentress as she chats with author Valerie Ellis about her children's book Share the Joy.

We talk about when the Christmas Tree goes up and how to communicate joy to our kids without all the stuff of the season.

Find out more about Valerie Ellis, her book, and resources that go with the book at the links below.

Happy Reading!






Valerie Ellis – Delighting Kids, Serving Parents

Amazon.com: Share the Joy! A Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book: Keep Jesus at the Center this Advent & Holiday Season with This Rhyming Storybook about the Nativity for Children Ages 0-4: 9781640608764: Ellis, Valerie, de Giorgi, Sergio: Books

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Play it Again with Gayle Boss (Originally aired 12/23)
Full Transcript can be found at www.valeriefentress.com/blog

Summary

 In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie Fentress interviews Gail Boss, the author of All Creation Waits. They discuss the importance of waiting and rest, the inspiration behind the book, and the power of nature in teaching us about God. Gail shares her personal experience of celebrating Advent in a unique way and how it helped her overcome seasonal depression. They also talk about the impact of stories, particularly the Chronicles of Narnia, on shaping their worldview. Gail reveals her current writing project on captive animals and the need to awaken awe and reverence for all creatures. The episode ends with a discussion on the power of waiting and the importance of being spiritually mature to see new beginnings in the midst of darkness.

Takeaways

 Waiting and rest are important practices that can restore our souls and help us prepare for new beginnings.

Nature has a profound ability to teach us about God and awaken awe and reverence within us.

Stories, like the Chronicles of Narnia, have the power to shape our worldview and open our minds to a world beyond our own.

We need to cultivate a love and respect for all creatures, recognizing their inherent value and the lessons they can teach us.

Waiting is not empty time; it is a time of learning, preparation, and growth.

In the darkness, there is always the potential for new beginnings and resurrection.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Traditions

08:37 Nature as a Teacher of God

14:55 Cultivating Awe and Reverence for All Creatures

23:45 Finding New Beginnings in the Darkness

28:20 Upcoming Projects and Conclusion

Gayle Boss

Amazon.com: All Creation Waits ― Children's Edition: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings for Children: 9781640608283: Boss, Gayle, Spitz, Sharon: Books

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Play it Again with Sonia E. Amin ( reposted from 2/14/2024)
Full Transcript available at www.valeriefentress.com/blog


Join Valerie Fentress as she talks with Dr Sonia E. Amin about her children's picture book When Love Flows.

We talk about our favorite children's books as well as Valentine's traditions in our home.

Find out more about Sonia E. Amin on her website, and find a link to her books below.

Sonia E. Amin | Bax and His Bubbles - Positive Thinking for Kids (soniaeamin.com)

When Love Flows: The Beauty of Encouraging Others (Social-Emotional Learning) - Kindle edition by Amin, Sonia, Chirinos, Arlenis. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Happy Reading

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Summary

In this episode, Valerie interviews author Maria Antonia about her picture book, The Christmas Elephant, A Nativity Story. They discuss family Christmas traditions, sibling dynamics, and the inspiration behind the book. Maria shares her writing journey and the process of getting her book published. They also talk about their favorite books and what to expect from Maria's upcoming projects.

 Takeaways

 Family traditions around Christmas can vary, such as when to put up the Christmas tree.

The Christmas Elephant is a picture book about two sisters putting on a Christmas play and the younger sister's desire to be the Christmas elephant.

The book explores themes of imperfection, uniqueness, and finding joy in unexpected moments.

Maria's writing journey began with writing stories for her nieces and nephews as birthday gifts.

Critique groups and online communities can provide valuable feedback and support for writers.

The Christmas Elephant was published after a two-book deal with Paraclete Press.

Maria's next picture book, The Runaway Sheep, is based on the parable of the lost sheep.

Readers can find more about Maria and her books on her website, where she also offers downloadable activities for kids.

 Maria Antonia | children's picture book author (mariaantoniawrites.com)

Amazon.com: The Christmas Elephant: a Nativity Story: 9781640609570: Antonia, Maria, Zarrin, Laura: Books

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Summary

 In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Becky Van Vleet, an award-winning multi-genre author, about her children's picture book, Angelina the Traveling Angel. The book follows Angelina, a magical Christmas tree topper, as she travels from home to home and questions her worth. Becky shares the inspiration behind the book, which is part of her traveling series based on objects passed down through generations in her family. She discusses the importance of preserving family stories and memories and the impact of her own writing journey. Becky also recommends the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and shares her favorite children's book author, Patricia Palocco.

Takeaways

 Preserving family stories and memories is important for passing down traditions and creating a sense of identity.

Children's books can convey important messages, such as the gospel, in a fun and engaging way.

Writing can be a fulfilling and unexpected journey, even for those who may not have considered themselves writers before.

Books have the power to impact and inspire readers, shaping their perspectives and values.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 The Inspiration for Angelina, the Traveling Angel

07:21 The Message of Angelina, the Traveling Angel

12:49 The Value of Family Stories and Memories

16:18 Becky's Writing Journey

21:48 Impactful Books in Becky's Life

23:18 Favorite Children's Books

25:42 Upcoming Projects

27:54 Where to Find Becky and Her Books

29:01 Conclusion

Home - Becky Van Vleet

Angelina, the Traveling Angel - Kindle edition by Van Vleet, Becky. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

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Summary

 In this episode, Valerie interviews Dominique Okonkwo, the author of the rhyming picture book 'No Greater Love.' They discuss Dominique's inspiration for the book, the challenges of explaining God's love to children, and the importance of faith-based stories for kids. Dominique also shares her writing journey and her plans for future books. Overall, the conversation highlights the power of storytelling to teach and entertain children while reinforcing biblical truths.

Takeaways

 Children's books can be a powerful tool to teach and reinforce biblical truths.

Explaining abstract concepts like God's love to children can be challenging but important.

Writing can be a therapeutic and fulfilling creative outlet.

There is a growing appreciation for creativity and the arts in our culture.

Personal experiences and questions from children can inspire and shape the stories we write.

It's important to pursue the things that God puts on our hearts, even if they don't fit traditional career paths.

Favorite books from childhood can have a lasting impact and be enjoyed across generations.

Children's books have evolved to cater to shorter attention spans, but there is still value in longer, meatier stories.

Devotionals and journals can be valuable tools for personal growth and connecting with God's word.

Writing stories that engage children's questions and interests can help them connect with biblical truths.

There is a need for diverse children's books that highlight different cultures and experiences.

Social media and websites are valuable platforms for connecting with readers and promoting books.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction and Favorite Pie

03:05 Teaching Children About God's Love

06:20 Inspiration and Questions from Children

10:58 Dominique's Writing Journey

12:56 Favorite Books and Impact

15:25 Evolution of Children's Books

23:24 Connecting with Dominique and Conclusion

Writer Portfolio | Dominique Okonkwo | Miami Motherhood

Amazon.com: No Greater Love: A Celebration of How High, How Deep, and How Wide God’s Love is for His Children: 9781640609310: Okonkwo, Dominique, Morena, Lhaiza: Books

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