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Summary

Maryna Doughty tells us about her middle-grade book Sincerely Diary, which explores friendships and relationships in middle school. She shares her inspiration for the book, including her own experiences with betrayal and deception. Maryna also talks about the devotional resource accompanying the book, which covers topics such as self-acceptance, peer pressure, and forgiveness. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and discernment for young readers. Maryna discusses her journey as an author and her favorite books. She also gives a sneak peek of her upcoming book, Confessions of a Stepsister. Listeners can find more information about Marina and her books on her website.

Takeaways

Sincerely Diary is a middle-grade book that explores friendships and relationships in middle school.

The book addresses important topics such as self-acceptance, peer pressure, and deception.

A devotional resource accompanies the book, providing biblical perspectives on friendship, honesty, and forgiveness.

Marina Doughty's upcoming book, Confessions of a Stepsister, delves into themes of sabotage, forgiveness, and identity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Middle School Experience

02:03 Understanding Friendships and Relationships

03:09 Inspiration for the Book

05:07 The Devotional Resource

07:45 The Relevance of the Book for Young Readers

11:16 Lessons and Themes in the Book

15:40 Becoming an Author and Favorite Books

19:48 Upcoming Book: Confessions of a Stepsister

22:49 Release Date and Where to Find More Information

24:21 Conclusion

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Dr. Ann Worth discusses her three-book series, Tessie's Tears, which addresses difficult topics for children. The inspiration for the series came during the pandemic when Dr. Worth realized the need to help children process the hard things happening in the world. Her counseling background influenced the books, guiding for parents to help their children navigate these topics. The books cover themes of loss, friendship, and the love of animals, while also incorporating salvation and faith. Dr. Worth shares her journey into counseling and her late-in-life conversion to Christianity. She also mentions her favorite books and her plans for future books.

 Takeaways

 Dr. Ann Worth's Tessie's Tears series addresses difficult topics for children and provides guidance for parents to help their children navigate these issues.

The books cover themes of loss, friendship, and the love of animals, while also incorporating salvation and faith.

Dr. Worth's counseling background influenced the books, allowing her to provide valuable insights and support for parents.

Her journey into counseling and her late-in-life conversion to Christianity have shaped her writing and her desire to help others.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction and Background

01:21 The Inspiration Behind the Tessie Series

03:32 The Influence of Counseling Background

06:05 The Third Book: A Story About a Rescue Puppy

11:23 The Messages in the Books

15:41 Dr. Ann Worth's Journey into Counseling

18:18 Dr. Ann Worth's Journey to Faith

21:11 Favorite Books and the Passion Translation

23:31 Future Books and Themes

25:10 Where to Find Dr. Ann Worth's Books

26:27 Conclusion


Amazon.com: Tessie's Tears: Grampy Goes to Heaven: 9781955668095: Worth, Dr. Anne, Inertia, Aljon, Inertia, Nova: Books

Home - Dr. Anne Worth (dranneworthauthor.com

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Summary
In this episode, Valerie Fentress interviews Terrie Hillard Brown, the host of the Books That Spark podcast and author of the devotional book Building Character Through Picture Books. They discuss Easter traditions, Terrie's podcast, the inspiration behind her devotional book, her writing journey, and the influence of living in Taiwan. They also talk about the importance of everyday discipleship, teachable moments in parenting, and the most impactful books they have read. Terrie shares her upcoming projects and where listeners can find her and her books.

Takeaways
Bedtime storytime can be made more meaningful with devotions based on popular picture books.
Everyday discipleship is important for families, regardless of whether they homeschool or not.
Teachable moments in parenting can have a lasting impact on children's faith.
Reading and discussing books can be a powerful way to deepen one's faith and understanding of God.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Easter Traditions
03:02 The Books That Spark Podcast
06:04 Inspiration for the Devotional Book
08:00 Terrie's Writing Journey
09:51 Influence of Living in Taiwan
11:30 Everyday Discipleship
14:19 Teachable Moments in Parenting
19:30 Most Impactful Books
22:02 Upcoming Projects
25:47 Where to Find Terrie and Her Books
26:13 Conclusion

Find out more about Terrie Hellard-Brown and her book on the links below.

 Main - Terrie Hellard Brown

booksthatspark's podcast (libsyn.com)

Building Character through Picture Books: 25 Family Devotions Based on Favorite Picture Books: Hellard-Brown, Terrie: 9798395555922: Amazon.com: Books

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Summary

In this conversation, Valerie Fentress interviews author Jared Michaud about his YA science fiction novel, Bright Star. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the representation of autism in the main character, and the use of science fiction to communicate truths about God. Jared also explains the concept of Energemetrix 6, the energy force in the book's universe. He shares his favorite impactful books and discusses his plans for the series. Listeners are directed to the E6Universe.com website for more information.

Takeaways

Science fiction can be a powerful tool to communicate truths about God to teens and young adults.

Representation of diverse characters, such as those with autism, can help readers connect and empathize with the struggles of others.

The concept of Energemetra 6 in Bright Star serves as a force of nature rather than a mystical power, highlighting God's ultimate power and the importance of relationships and character.

Books have the power to impact and change lives, and different books can be impactful during different seasons of life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bright Star and the Author

02:00 Inspiration to Write Science Fiction

04:19 Fascination with Space and God's Creation

06:12 Using Science Fiction to Communicate Truths about God

12:25 Representation of Autism in the Main Character

20:32 The Concept of Energemetra 6

26:05 Impactful Books and the Power of Story

29:38 Future Plans and Related Books

33:11 Where to Find More Information

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Summary

In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews Xochitl Dixon about her picture book, 'What Color is God's Love?' They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of embracing diversity, and the impact of colors and emotions. Xochitl also shares her personal journey of becoming an author and her upcoming projects. The conversation highlights the power of colors in conveying God's love and the need to challenge negative connotations associated with certain colors. Overall, the book encourages children to celebrate diversity and recognize God's presence in all things.

Takeaways

 Colors can be used to convey God's love and evoke emotions.

It is important to embrace diversity and challenge negative connotations associated with certain colors.

Children's books can play a significant role in teaching faith and promoting inclusivity.

Nature and colors can serve as reminders of God's unchanging character.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction and Favorite Color

01:04 Family and Personal Background

03:10 Becoming a Christian and Embracing Diversity

04:45 Inspiration behind 'What Color is God's Love?'

08:17 Exploring Colors and Emotions

09:07 Challenging Negative Connotations of Colors

10:18 God's Presence in Nature and Colors

12:38 Additional Resources and Activities

15:13 The Inspiration behind 'Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown'

20:24 Childhood Dream of Becoming an Author

25:31 Most Impactful Book (Other than the Bible)

29:39 Upcoming Projects

33:37 Where to Find More Information

34:05 Conclusion

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews author Karen Whiting, who shares her passion for helping families grow in faith through service. Karen discusses her 52-week devotional series designed for families, emphasizing hands-on activities and engaging discussions that cater to children of various ages. She reflects on the lasting impact of family devotions, the challenges faced in maintaining them, and the importance of making faith a priority in the home. Karen also shares insights on developing character in children and hints at her upcoming book on Biblical archaeology.

Download a free sample of Karen's Family Devotional here.

Takeaways

Karen Whiting aims to help families know Jesus and serve others.

The 52-week devotions are designed for families with children of all ages.

Engaging activities and discussions are key to keeping children interested in faith.

Family devotions can create lasting memories and strengthen bonds.

Using incentives, like dessert, can motivate children to participate in devotions.

Tailoring discussions to different age groups enhances understanding and engagement.

Making faith a priority at home is crucial for children's spiritual growth.

Children learn best through practical, hands-on experiences.

It's important to adapt devotionals to fit the family's lifestyle and needs.

Karen's upcoming book will explore Biblical archaeology and its connection to faith.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Karen Whiting and Her Mission

02:05 Exploring the 52-Week Devotions for Families

05:25 Engaging Children in Family Devotions

09:38 The Lasting Impact of Family Devotions

12:41 Challenges in Family Devotion Time

16:40 Developing Faith and Character in Children

22:04 Upcoming Projects and Conclusion

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews YA author Lindsay Llewellyn about her latest book, The Cryer Stone, the sequel to The Chaos Grid. They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the character development, and the themes of adventure and forgiveness. Lindsay shares her journey as a writer, her experiences with dyslexia, and how she incorporates Christian elements into her fiction. The conversation also touches on the importance of engaging reluctant readers and the influence of other books on her writing.

Takeaways

 Lindsay's inspiration for The Cryer Stone came from Texas traffic.

The Cryer Stone explores themes of adventure and forgiveness.

Lindsay aims to provide an escape for young adult readers.

The story is inspired by the biblical book of Jonah.

Art and writing are intertwined in Lindsay's creative process.

Lindsay's writing journey began later in life due to dyslexia.

She wants her stories to be uplifting and relatable.

The Cryer Stone features more romance than its predecessor.

Engaging reluctant readers is crucial for fostering a love of reading.

Lindsay encourages parents to find books that match their children's interests.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Lindsay Llewellen and The Cryer Stone

01:28 Exploring the World of The Cryer Stone

03:50 Character Development and Themes in The Cryer Stone

05:11 Inspiration and Message for Young Adults

06:43 Biblical Inspirations in The Cryer Stone

07:59 Artistic Elements and Comic Book Influence

09:36 Lindsay's Writing Journey and Overcoming Dyslexia

12:38 Incorporating Christian Elements in Fiction

15:21 Favorite Books and Influences

17:31 Encouraging Reluctant Readers

21:25 Future Projects and Conclusion

Lyndsey Lewellen - YA Author 📖

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews author Carol Baldwin about her young adult novel, Half Truths, which explores themes of social injustice and identity through the eyes of a 15-year-old girl in the 1950s South. Carol shares her writing journey, the inspiration behind her characters, and the importance of truth in family dynamics. The conversation delves into the historical context of the story, the writing process, and the hope for more conversations about race and identity among young readers.

Takeaways

 Carol Baldwin's book, Half Truths, addresses social injustice.

The writing process can take many years and revisions.

NaNoWriMo can be a great motivator for writers.

The main character, Kate, witnesses a KKK parade.

The story is set in the 1950s South, a pivotal time for civil rights.

Family secrets can have lasting effects on relationships.

The book aims to promote conversations about race.

Carol's writing journey began with nonfiction.

Joyce Moyer-Hossett inspired Carol to write her first draft.

The importance of being truth-speakers is a central theme. 

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Carol Baldwin and Half Truths

02:55 The Journey of Writing Half Truths

06:01 Exploring the Main Character and Setting

08:59 Themes of Social Injustice and Identity

11:52 The Importance of Truth in Family Dynamics

15:05 Carol's Writing Journey and Inspirations

18:02 Future Projects and Conclusion


Home - Carol Baldwin - Author, Teacher, Speaker

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews children's author Laura Sasse about her latest picture book, 'Faithful Feet.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind the book, the importance of rhyme in children's literature, and the lessons children can learn about faith and God's love. Laura shares her writing process, how she connects with kids during school visits, and her journey as an author. The episode concludes with a sneak peek into Laura's upcoming projects and her favorite children's books.

Takeaways

 Feet are a humorous and relatable theme for kids.

Rhyme can enhance children's engagement with literature.

The Bible tells a story of redemption and grace.

Children can learn about faith through fun metaphors.

God's faithfulness is evident in the writing journey.

Writing requires both creativity and business acumen.

Little House on the Prairie influenced Laura's love for reading.

Upcoming book 'Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle' is exciting.

Engaging kids with stories can spark their curiosity about the Bible.

Laura's newsletter offers valuable resources for parents and educators.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Faithful Feet

02:54 The Inspiration Behind Faithful Feet

06:01 The Role of Rhyme in Children's Literature

08:56 Lessons from Faithful Feet

11:57 God's Faithfulness in the Writing Journey

15:11 A Day in the Life of a Children's Author

18:55 Favorite Children's Books and Future Projects

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Rebecca Galeskas about her picture book, 'Little Lion Puts on the Armor of God.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind the book, the deeper meanings of scripture, and the importance of conveying faith-based messages to children. Rebecca shares her journey as a writer, her literary influences, and what readers can expect next from her work.

Takeaways

 The book was inspired by Rebecca's son, Judah.

Rebecca emphasizes the importance of using scripture in daily life.

The story of Little Lion teaches children about the armor of God.

Rebecca aims to help children make a head-to-heart connection with God.

The writing process was a meditative practice for Rebecca.

Rebecca believes in the importance of understanding the bigger picture of the gospel.

The book communicates that God loves children for who they are.

Rebecca has always considered herself a writer since childhood.

The complexities of relationships are mirrored in classic literature.

Rebecca is working on a sequel about Little Lion and the Fruit of the Spirit.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Little Lion

02:01 The Inspiration Behind the Book

05:10 Exploring the Armor of God

08:36 The Deeper Meaning of Scripture

11:12 Key Messages for Children

12:53 Rebecca's Journey as a Writer

17:08 Literary Influences and Favorites

20:23 What's Next for Rebecca Galeskas

Rebecca Galeskas | Christian Children's Books, Christian Apparel, Bible Study

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