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BookWorthy episodes

  • How 'Land of Giants' Brings Bible Characters to Life with Laurie Christine

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    In this episode, Laurie discusses her latest book 'Land of Giants' from the Dragon Slayer Bible series, exploring biblical characters, giants, dinosaurs, and the importance of faith and imagination in children's biblical stories.

    See this episode's blog post here: www.valeriefentress.com/blog

    Takeaways: 

    Kids can explore biblical stories through engaging fiction.

    Imagination helps children understand biblical characters and events.

    The series emphasizes faith, courage, and spiritual warfare.

    Authors strive to stay true to biblical narratives while allowing creative exploration.

    Resources include devotional guides to deepen biblical understanding.


    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to the Dragon Slayer Bible Series

    03:56 Exploring 'Land of Giants' and Its Themes

    08:16 Navigating Biblical Narratives and Fiction

    14:32 Giants, Nephilim, and Spiritual Warfare

    18:54 Lessons on Courage and Faith

    21:40 Future Projects and Upcoming Books

    Let's discover great books together!

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    29 min
  • Why The Charlatan's Boy Still Matters: Jonathan Rogers on Identity, Belonging, and Great Stories

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    In this episode, Jonathan Rogers discusses his beloved characters, the themes of honesty and identity in his books, and how childhood reading shaped his storytelling. He shares insights into his creative process and the importance of authentic characters.

    The Charlatan's Boy | The Rabbit Room

    Takeaways

     Authentic characters resonate deeply with young readers.

    Childhood reading, especially non-fiction like encyclopedias, shapes imagination.

    Honesty and self-awareness are central themes in children's stories.

    Characters like Grady reflect internal struggles that many kids face.

    Creative community and sharing insights foster growth as a writer.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Jonathan Rogers and his books

    01:57 The regional love for boiled peanuts and Southern food

    04:05 Themes of honesty and inner life in The Charlatan's Boy

    06:00 Grady's internal struggles and character development

    08:01 The relationship between Grady and Floyd

    10:54 The significance of inner life and self-awareness

    14:00 The importance of authenticity and being loved for who you are

    15:49 The influence of childhood reading on imagination

    18:58 Jonathan Rogers' upcoming projects and community involvement

    Let's discover great books together!

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    30 min
  • Unveiling the Superpower of Kids: A Conversation with Meredith Davis

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    In this episode, children's author Meredith Davis discusses her middle-grade series 'The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor,' exploring themes of superpowers, science, and friendship. She shares her writing journey, the science behind her stories, and her passion for inspiring young readers.

    See the Blog Version at www.valeriefentress.com/blog


    Meredith Davis, Children's Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer


    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to Noah Minor's Adventures

    02:59 The Unique Take on Superpowers

    05:41 Exploring Science and History in the Series

    08:32 Lessons and Themes for Young Readers

    11:27 Illustrations and Accessibility in Middle Grade Books

    14:17 Meredith's Journey to Becoming an Author

    17:04 Engaging with Young Readers

    19:51 Future Projects and Collaborations 

    Let's discover great books together!

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    24 min
  • An Interactive Adventures Series for Kids with Kathryn Butler

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    In this episode, children's author Kathryn Butler discusses her innovative Lamplight series, which combines interactive storytelling with biblical principles to engage young readers. She shares insights into her writing process, the spiritual themes woven into her stories, and her journey from medicine to children's literature.

    See this episode blog post here: www.valeriefentress.com/blog

    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to the Lamplighter Series

    03:56 Interactive Fiction and Biblical Wisdom

    07:16 Exploring The Hunt for the Kraken

    09:51 Journey to Escape from Rome

    11:10 Transitioning from Dream Keeper to Lamplighter

    17:19 The Role of Literature in Shaping Faith

    20:10 From Trauma Surgeon to Writer

    26:18 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

    Let's discover great books together!

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    30 min
  • How Science and Faith Intertwine in 'God of Wonders' with Dominique Okonkwo

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    In this episode, Dominique Okonkwo discusses her children's book 'God of Wonders,' exploring how nature reveals God's intricate design and how science and faith intertwine. She shares insights on inspiring curiosity in children, her writing process, and the importance of noticing God's wonders in everyday life.


    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to 'God of Wonders'

    02:19 Exploring the Themes of the Book

    05:24 The Intersection of Science and Faith

    08:35 Engaging Children's Curiosity

    09:45 The Creative Process Behind the Book

    11:47 Favorite Books and Inspirations

    14:59 Future Projects and Writing Journey

    Let's discover great books together!

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    19 min
  • Teaching Kids Faith Through Adventure and Mystery with Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer

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    In this episode, authors Gail Veitenheimer and Jen Weaver discuss their children's book series, The Mystery of the Missing Falls, which combines engaging detective stories with Christian discipleship themes. They explore how storytelling can teach kids about hearing God's voice, identity in Christ, and faith in everyday life, making complex spiritual concepts accessible and relatable for young readers.

    https://kingswellkids.com 

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the Dynamic Duo

    02:25 The Inspiration Behind Kingswell Kid Detectives

    05:04 Character Dynamics: Luca and Ember

    07:41 Exploring Faith Through Fiction

    10:12 Hearing God: A Central Theme

    13:26 Future Books and Themes

    17:14 The Power of Story in Discipleship

    20:16 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Releases

    Let's discover great books together!

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    23 min
  • How Children's Books Can Plant Seeds of the Spirit with Dawn Caldwell DeWulf

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    In this episode, children's author Dawn De Wulf shares her journey of writing faith-based children's books, focusing on the fruits of the Spirit and the importance of planting seeds of faith early in life. She discusses her creative process, the lessons behind her series, and how she aims to inspire young readers to grow in their faith and character.

    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to Dawn Caldwell-DeWolf and Her Mission

    02:17 The Picking the Fruit of the Spirit Series

    04:44 Exploring the Themes of Patience, Sharing, and Kindness

    07:33 Understanding Joy and Its Importance

    09:49 The Latest Book: I Don't Like Faithfulness

    13:04 The Importance of Faithfulness in Relationships

    15:48 Dawn's Journey to Becoming a Writer

    17:46 Favorite Books and Their Impact

    20:42 What's Next for Dawn Caldwell-DeWolf

    Let's discover great books together!

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    23 min
  • When Horses Teach Us About Hope: A Conversation with Kathryn O’Neill

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    In this episode, author Kathy O'Neill shares her journey from horse-loving kid to author of 'Hoofprints of Hope,' a devotional blending faith and science for young readers. Discover her insights on the spiritual lessons from horses, her writing process, and her involvement with Right to Ignite.


    See the Blog Version of this post at www.valeriefentress.com/blog

     Kathy O'Neill | Author, Speaker, Art Educator

    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to Hoof Prince of Hope

    02:37 The Connection Between Horses and Faith

    05:17 Writing for Children: A Journey from Teaching

    08:06 Lessons from Horses: Patience and God's Presence

    10:32 The Role of Writing in Kathy's Life

    13:15 Right to Ignite: Supporting Christian Children's Writers

    15:55 Future Projects and Closing Thoughts

    Let's discover great books together!

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    19 min
  • How Fairy Tales Inspire Modern YA Fantasy with Angie Dickerson

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    In this episode, author Angie Dickerson discusses her YA fantasy novel 'The Star Blessed,' her inspiration from fairy tales like Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin, and her journey as a writer. She shares insights into world-building, themes of courage and hope, and her love for retelling fairy tales.

    See this Episode's Blog post Here: www.valeriefentress.com/blog


    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction to Fairy Tale Retellings

    02:01 Exploring The Star Blessed

    04:07 Character Development and Personal Experiences

    06:48 Themes of Sacrifice and Perseverance

    09:18 The Journey of Writing YA Fantasy

    11:24 The Allure of Fairy Tale Retellings

    14:47 Impactful Books and Their Influence

    17:43 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

    Let's discover great books together!

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    20 min
  • Art, Faith, and Self Discovery with Carolyn Leiloglou

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    Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog

    Carolyn Leiloglou discusses her middle-grade series, The Restorationists, and the inspiration behind it. The series takes place in a world where art is powerful and paintings are portals. The first book, Beneath This Rolling Sky, follows Vincent as he discovers his family's role as Restorationists and tries to protect his sister. The second book, Between Flowers and Bones, shifts to Georgia's perspective as she grapples with her own insecurities and learns the value of her unique gifts. Carolyn shares her own journey as a writer and the impact of books like The Chronicles of Narnia. She also emphasizes the importance of creativity and encourages kids to embrace their own creative abilities.

    The Restorationist Book 1: Beneath the Swirling Sky

    Takeaways

    The Restorationists is a middle-grade series that explores a world where art is powerful, and paintings are portals.

    The first book, Beneath This Rolling Sky, follows Vincent as he discovers his family's role as Restorationists and tries to protect his sister.

    The second book, Between Flowers and Bones, shifts to Georgia's perspective as she grapples with her own insecurities and learns the value of her unique gifts.

    Carolyn emphasizes the importance of creativity and encourages kids to embrace their own creative abilities.

    Books like The Chronicles of Narnia have had a profound impact on Carolyn's life and inspired her own writing journey.

    Chapters

     00:00 Introduction and Random Question

    03:00 The Restorationists: A Middle-Grade Adventure

    08:02 Embracing Creativity: Lessons from The Restorationists

    11:46 The Power of Art: Inspiration and Impact

    21:37 Future of The Restorationists and Where to Find Carolyn

     


    Let's discover great books together!

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    24 min

About BookWorthy

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Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust? 


The award-winning BookWorthy Podcast is your weekly guide to help Christian parents cut through the noise and find…