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In this episode, author Megan Schaulis discusses her YA duology, The Susa Chronicles. Book One, Protector, is inspired by the book of Esther and follows the story of Novalice, a brave heroine who becomes the king's bodyguard. Book Two, Proclaimer, is set to release in April. Megan shares how her faith and personal experiences influenced the writing of the series, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with God and the labels He gives us. She also discusses her love for YA literature and the impact it can have on young adults' journey of self-discovery and faith.

Takeaways

 The Susa Chronicles is a YA duology inspired by the book of Esther, with Book One, Protector, already released and Book Two, Proclaimer, set to release in April.

The series explores themes of faith, identity, and the importance of our relationship with God.

Megan emphasizes that our faith is our greatest advantage and that our identity is defined by God, not the labels the world gives us.

YA literature plays a significant role in helping young adults navigate their journey of self-discovery and faith.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Susa Chronicles

04:46 The Plot of Protector

09:21 The Power of Our Relationship with God

13:41 Megan's Journey as an Author

15:43 Favorite Books and Impactful Reads

21:31 What's Next for Megan

23:38 Conclusion

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In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews author April Graney about her latest book, 'If Jesus Came to My School.' The conversation explores the themes of kindness, support in public schools, and the importance of instilling values in children. April shares her experiences as a middle school teacher and her journey as a writer, emphasizing the impact of literature on young minds. The discussion also touches on favorite books and resources for parents navigating the challenges of public schooling.

 If Jesus Came to My School 

Takeaways

April Graney's book encourages children to embody the values of Jesus.

The importance of kindness and support in school environments.

Children can be a light in dark places through their actions.

Literature can play a significant role in shaping young minds.

Public schools can be a mission field for families.

April's writing journey began with a childhood desire to be an author.

The significance of having conversations about bullying with children.

Support for families in public schools is crucial.

Picture books can communicate profound truths in simple ways.

Organizations exist to help parents and teachers navigate public schooling.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to April Graney and Her Book

03:10 The Impact of Jesus in Schools

06:12 Supporting Families in Public Schools

09:04 April's Writing Journey

12:00 Favorite Books and Their Influence

18:04 Future Projects and Resources for Parents

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In this episode, Valerie interviews John Hendrix, a New York Times bestselling illustrator and author of children's books. They discuss his latest book, 'The Mythmakers,' which explores the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and their impact on storytelling and literature. They also talk about the power of myth and fantasy, the complexities of friendship, and the importance of community for artists. John shares his advice for parents of creative children and gives a sneak peek into his upcoming projects.

Takeaways

The Mythmakers explores the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and their influence on storytelling and literature.

Myth and fantasy have the power to convey truth and engage readers of all backgrounds.

Friendship can be complex, and it's important to have mutual respect and love even when disagreements arise.

Artists should embrace their interests and create work that is interesting and engaging, regardless of whether it is explicitly faith-based.

Encourage children's creativity by providing them with art supplies and opportunities to practice and share their work.

Art doesn't have to be perfect; it's about the process and expression.

Community is essential for artists, and being part of a supportive creative community can enhance one's work.

John Hendrix has upcoming projects, including the release of The Mythmakers and a follow-up to his book Drawing is Magic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

04:47 The Power of Myth and Fantasy in Storytelling

12:45 Navigating the Complexities of Friendship

23:30 Encouraging Children's Artistic Journey

28:13 Upcoming Projects: 'The Mythmakers' and More

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In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews children's author Leslie Colburn about her latest picture book, Jilly Goat. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of embracing imperfection, and the journey of becoming an author. Leslie shares her favorite books and their impact on her writing, as well as her future projects, including a devotional for grief. The conversation highlights the significance of representation in children's literature and the values of acceptance and love.

 Cross My Heart Books by Leslie Colburn – encouragement, walking in faith, re-gifting love

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Takeaways

Leslie's book, Jilly Goat, is inspired by her late mother.

The story emphasizes the importance of acceptance and embracing imperfections.

Children need to see themselves in characters to connect with stories.

Leslie's journey as an author began with writing love letters to her daughters.

The fainting goat character symbolizes overcoming challenges and finding humor in life.

Illustrations play a crucial role in bringing stories to life for children.

Leslie's favorite childhood book was Ramona Quimby, Age 8, which inspired her love for reading.

Mary Poppins represents the idea of perfection that is unattainable.

Leslie is working on a 21-day devotional for grief to help other mothers.

The importance of pre-ordering books to support authors and visibility.

Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to Leslie Colburn and Jilly Goat

02:40 The Heart Behind Jilly Goat

05:33 Lessons from Jilly Goat

08:15 Leslie's Journey as an Author

10:54 Favorite Books and Inspirations

13:38 Future Projects and Devotionals

16:22 Conclusion and Where to Find Leslie

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

In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews children's author Theresa Marie Villarreal, who discusses her Adventures in Oculus series, a middle-grade portal fantasy with Christian undertones. They explore the inspiration behind the series, the importance of storytelling, and the need to inspire young readers. Theresa also shares insights about her podcast, The Storytellers Shelf, which aims to demystify the publishing process for both traditional and self-published authors. The conversation touches on the challenges of self-publishing, favorite books, and exciting future projects.

 Meet Author Theresa Maria Villarreal

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Takeaways

Theresa's writing journey began after the birth of her first child.

The Adventures in Oculus series blends imagination with Christian themes.

Theresa aims for her books to grow with the reader.

The importance of seeking truth and courage in storytelling.

The Storytellers Shelf podcast focuses on inspiring literacy in children.

Self-publishing authors face unique challenges in the industry.

Quality should be prioritized over quantity in writing.

Theresa's favorite book is Anne of Green Gables, which inspires her writing.

The Storytellers Shelf is expanding into a publishing house.

Theresa is working on new projects, including picture books and chapter books.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Theresa Marie and Her Journey

07:15 The Adventures in Oculus: A Portal Fantasy

12:58 Themes of Truth and Friendship in Writing

14:19 The Storytellers Shelf Podcast: Inspiring Young Readers

18:49 Demystifying Self-Publishing

22:23 Favorite Books and Inspirations

23:45 Future Projects and Exciting Developments

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In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews author Jenny Marcelene about her international adventure series for children, 'The Dreamer.' Jenny shares her passion for connecting families with God's heart for the world through literature, drawing from her experiences living overseas in various cultures. The conversation explores the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures, the role of prayer in supporting unreached people groups, and practical ways families can incorporate global awareness into their daily lives. Jenny also discusses her journey to becoming an author and the impact of influential books on her writing.

 Jenny Marcelene

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Takeaways

Jenny's book series aims to connect families with God's heart for the world.

There is a gap in Christian literature for chapter books for kids ages 6-10.

Cultural understanding can help reduce fear and promote curiosity.

Prayer is essential for supporting unreached people groups.

Families can incorporate global awareness into their daily lives.

Jenny's experiences living overseas shaped her writing and perspective.

Christian fiction can be impactful and beautifully crafted.

It's important to approach different cultures with respect and curiosity.

God's glory is meant to be shared with all nations.

Writing a book can be a journey of faith and learning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jenny Marcelin and Her Book

02:18 The Heart Behind 'The Dreamer'

04:28 Cultural Insights from Living Overseas

08:18 Understanding Afghanistan and Its Beauty

09:39 The Concept of Unreached People Groups

11:40 Incorporating Global Awareness in Family Life

18:20 Jenny's Journey to Becoming an Author

22:05 Impactful Books and Future Projects

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Help BookWorthy make plans and know how to serve your best by filling out the 2026 Listener survey. Click the link, answer 10 questions. I can't wait to hear what you have to say. 

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

In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews children's author Sonja Anderson about her book 'A Christmas Wish for a Little Dala Horse.' They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the incorporation of Swedish traditions, and the deeper messages of love and acceptance within the narrative. Sonja shares her journey to becoming an author, her favorite books, and her future writing projects, all while celebrating the joy of storytelling and the magic of Christmas.

 Sonja Anderson

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Takeaways

Sonja's book is inspired by her Swedish heritage.

The story incorporates Swedish vocabulary and traditions.

Sonja's husband supported her writing journey with thoughtful gifts.

The message of the book emphasizes love and acceptance.

Sonja's childhood experiences shaped her desire to write.

She aims to help children understand diverse backgrounds.

Sonja's favorite book is 'Heidi' by Johanna Spyri.

She has several picture books in progress with her agent.

Sonja won a writing contest for her novel set in Japan.

The podcast celebrates the joy of reading and storytelling.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sonja Anderson and Her Work

02:43 The Inspiration Behind 'A Christmas Wish for a Little Dala Horse'

05:26 Exploring Swedish Traditions in the Story

08:20 The Message of Love and Acceptance

11:11 Sonja's Journey to Becoming an Author

13:35 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Writing

16:28 Future Projects and Aspirations

19:08 Favorite Books and Their Influence

21:59 Conclusion and Where to Find Sonja's Work

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

In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie interviews author Elizabeth Lizu, who discusses her journey as a writer and the themes of her children's books, with a particular focus on faith, self-acceptance, and emotional growth. Elizabeth shares insights into her character Caden, the importance of prayer in daily life, and her aspirations for future writing projects. The conversation underscores the importance of instilling faith in children from a young age and the influence of literature on personal growth.

 Elizabeth Lizu

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Takeaways

 Elizabeth Lizu emphasizes the importance of children accepting themselves.

Her book series focuses on faith and emotional growth for kids.

Caden's Adventures teaches trust in God and patience.

Prayer is a daily practice in Elizabeth's family.

She aims to connect children with their daily experiences through her writing.

Elizabeth started writing poetry during the COVID era.

Her writing journey began in childhood, fueled by a love for literature.

She believes in writing as a ministry to spread God's word.

The feedback from her first book inspired her to continue writing.

Elizabeth plans to expand the Caden series with more books. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Elizabeth Lizu and Her Mission

01:47 Exploring Cadence Adventures with Faith

05:44 The Importance of Prayer in Daily Life

07:02 Addressing Children's Emotional and Spiritual Needs

09:58 The Journey of Writing and Inspiration

13:43 Favorite Books and Their Impact

16:16 Future Projects and Where to Find Elizabeth

17:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Help BookWorthy make plans and know how to serve your best by filling out the 2026 Listener survey. Click the link, answer 10 questions. I can't wait to hear what you have to say. 

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The conversation explores the profound experiences of Diane Nienas, who shares her family's journey through significant loss and hardship. Central to this narrative is her son Leo, who began having visions of Jesus at a young age, which played a crucial role in preparing the family for the challenges they faced. The overarching theme is one of hope and inspiration amidst grief, highlighting the importance of family support during difficult times.

 Diane Nienas - Hope - Faith - Courage

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Takeaways

Introduction to Diane and her books.

The family experienced the loss of eight members in seven years.

Leo prepared the family for upcoming hardships.

The journey opened their eyes in beautiful ways.

The story is one of hope amidst heartache.

It was not just meant for them, but to inspire others.

Family support is crucial during times of grief.

Diane emphasizes the importance of encouragement.

The experiences were transformative for the family.

Hope can emerge from the darkest times.

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Join Valerie and award-winning author Jenny L. Cote as they explore the inspiring stories behind America's founding, biblical principles in history, and how to engage children with faith-based historical storytelling. Discover how Jenny's revolutionary series brings history to life through faith, research, and storytelling to inspire the next generation.

Epic Order Of The Seven | United States | Jenny L. Cote

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 Chapters

 00:00 Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

02:04 Inspiration Behind Epic Order of the Seven

03:10 Transitioning from Biblical to Revolutionary Storytelling

05:16 The Importance of History in Education

06:59 Lesser-Known Revolutionary Figures

10:24 The Role of France in American Independence

11:55 Rediscovering America's Founding Truths

14:09 Engaging Kids with History

15:49 Unique Research Experiences

17:57 Connecting Kids to America's Story

21:16 Teaching the Good, Bad, and Ugly of History

22:58 What's Next for Jenny L. Cote

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