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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.

Writer Portfolio | Dominique Okonkwo | Miami Motherhood

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

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In this Play it Again episode from Season Four of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Amanda Cleary Eastep, author of the Tree Street Kids series. Amanda shares her inspiration for her recent trip to India and how it influenced her writing. She discusses the fifth book in the series, The Beastie of Brambly Bald, and the themes of family dynamics and curiosity that are explored. Amanda also talks about engaging middle-grade readers and the importance of playfulness and humor in children's literature. She shares her favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time, and the impact they had on her. Finally, Amanda discusses her future projects and where to find more information about her and her books.

Takeaways
Travel experiences can inspire and influence writing.
Engaging middle-grade readers requires playfulness and curiosity.
Children's literature should explore themes of family dynamics and different perspectives.
Books have the power to impact and inspire readers.
Future projects include continuing the Tree Street Kids series and exploring new adventures.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Random Question
01:25 Inspiration for Trip to India
03:40 Inspiration for Book: The Beastie of Brambly Bald
07:05 Engaging Middle Grade Readers
10:27 Writing Playful and Curious Stories
15:07 Themes in The Beastie of Brambly Bald
17:01 Exploring Relationships and Different Perspectives
18:26 Favorite Books: To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time
21:36 Impact of Books and Writing
23:36 Future Projects
25:03 Where to Find More Information
26:00 Conclusion

Amanda Cleary Eastep – Author, Tree Street Kids series

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In this Play it Again episode from Season One, Valerie Fentress interviews Courtney J. Strong and illustrator Carissa Robertson about their new Christmas picture book, The Trail of Unexpected Gifts. They discuss their favorite Christmas traditions, the inspiration behind the book, the process of illustrating the book, and their heart for donating the proceeds to Vision Rescue. They also talk about involving their children in the book and their future projects. The episode concludes with information on where to find the book and a Christmas giveaway.

Takeaways

The Trail of Unexpected Gifts is a Christmas picture book that seeks to unwrap the story behind the gifts given at Christmas.

The book is illustrated by Carissa Robertson and written by Courtney J. Strong.

All the proceeds from the book will be donated to Vision Rescue, an organization that works to rescue and educate children in the slums of India.

The authors involved their own children in the creation of the book, and their input and ideas were incorporated into the story and illustrations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Introducing the Guests and the Book

03:22 Favorite Christmas Traditions

04:30 The Inspiration Behind the Book

05:10 Illustrating the Book

07:17 Donating Proceeds to Vision Rescue

10:33 Involving the Kids in the Book

12:45 Future Projects

15:36 Courtney's Previous Book

17:35 Carissa's Artistic Journey

19:00 Favorite Children's Books

22:45 Future Books and Collaboration

25:39 Where to Find the Books

26:00 Conclusion

(2) Facebook

Home - Vision Rescue

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In this Play it Again episode from Season Fout 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

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In this Play it Again episode from Season Four, 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

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In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, from Season One, 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

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In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, children's author Valerie Fentress shares a curated list of over 20 books suitable for gifting during the holiday season. Valerie emphasizes the importance of choosing books that nurture children's hearts and souls, providing insights into each book's themes and messages. Additionally, she highlights several devotionals for families to explore together during the holidays.

See all book and links a www.valeriefentress.com/blog

Takeaways

Valerie introduces the podcast and the theme of holiday book recommendations.
She emphasizes the importance of gifting books to children during the holiday season.
Books for ages birth to three focus on foundational values and God's love.
Picture books for ages four to eight encourage kindness and understanding of God's teachings.
Early chapter books help young readers navigate choices and adventures.
Middle grade books offer engaging stories with redemptive messages.
Young adult books tackle themes of identity, trust, and faith in a relatable way.
Devotionals for families provide opportunities for spiritual growth and discussion.
Valerie encourages listeners to explore a variety of genres and themes in children's literature.
The episode concludes with gratitude to publishers for providing books for review.

Let's discover great books together!

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In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie Fentress interviews award-winning author Donna Wyland about her latest children's book, 'Twas the Night Before Jesus.' They discuss the importance of Christmas traditions, the deeper message of the book, and Donna's journey as a writer. The conversation also touches on impactful books, the authenticity in storytelling, and Donna's podcast, Free To Be, which encourages women to live abundantly. Donna shares insights on her upcoming projects and the significance of gratitude in life.

Don't forget to join in the 2nd Annual Holiday Book Drive partnership with Storyteller's Shelf Podcast. More Details at the following link.

Help share the magic of children’s literature with every young reader.

2025 Holiday Book Drive: September 30 – December 1 – The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast

Takeaways

Laughter is essential for family bonding during the holidays.

Christmas is not just about presents but celebrating Jesus's birth.

Children should understand the full story of Jesus's life.

Writing can be a calling revealed over time.

Authenticity in storytelling resonates more with audiences.

The journey of writing involves persistence and faith.

God uses our unique gifts for His glory.

Living an abundant life is about trusting God.

Gratitude can be expressed through simple reminders.

It's important to be real and relatable in our struggles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Donna Wyland and Her Book

01:48 The Heart of Christmas Traditions

04:48 Exploring the Message of 'Twas the Night Before Jesus

07:20 The Journey of Writing and Calling

12:26 Impactful Books and Authenticity

16:16 The Free To Be Podcast

18:16 Upcoming Projects and Themes of Gratitude

Donna Wyland

Freetobe Podcast — Donna Wyland

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