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Send us Fan Mail In this episode, author Becca Wierwille discusses her children's book series, the inspiration behind her mysteries, and her journey as a writer. She shares insights into character development, humor writing, and encouraging curiosity and faith in young readers. See Blog Version at www.valeriefentress.com Home - Beloved Chronicles Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Scout and Barnaby Mysteries 03:24 The Transition from Road Trip Rescue to Mysteries 08:29 Writing Challenges and Reader Engagement 09:56 Themes of Bravery and Uniqueness in Stories 11:51 The Role of Humor in Writing 16:04 Influence of Teaching on Writing Style 17:56 Impactful Books and Future Projects Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail Discover how authors Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman create engaging, Bible-based devotional books for kids that combine faith, fun, and imagination. Learn about their collaborative process, storytelling strategies, and how they inspire young readers to connect with Scripture on a personal level. In this episode: The inspiration behind Would You Rather Bible Challenges and how it makes Bible stories accessible and funThe importance of second-person storytelling to immerse children in biblical eventsFavorite stories and themes that resonate with kids, like Joseph and biblical archaeologyBalancing humor, curiosity, and faith to combat screen time and digital distractionsTips for staying connected with young audiences through relatable language and shared experiencesUpcoming projects, including new series and devotional books for different age groupsHow authors stay inspired and relevant in a rapidly changing digital worldTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman  00:52 - The story behind Would You Rather Bible Challenges  03:00 - Inspiration for engaging children with biblical stories  04:37 - Favorite biblical stories to include and why  06:17 - Combining biblical concepts like the fruits of the Spirit and armor of God 07:42 - Marianne's favorite stories, such as Joseph and Nehemiah  08:59 - Goals for children's engagement with devotional books  10:26 - Using storytelling to relate biblical lessons to everyday struggles  11:09 - The importance of meeting children on their level  12:07 - Did they always want to be authors? 13:16 - Brock's love for dinosaurs and paleontology influence 14:18 - Connecting with young audiences through language and humor 15:12 - Sharing childhood interests to inspire writing 16:35 - Favorite books: Anne of Green Gables and others 18:02 - Brock's top recommended books 19:09 - Upcoming projects including new series and devotionals 22:36 - Where to find more about Marianne and Brock's work 24:14 - Final encouragement to explore faith-based children's books Resources & Links: Would You Rather Bible Challenges (Pre-order available)Brock Eastman's WebsiteMarianne Hering's Amazon Author PageParable Port Series13 Days to Midnight by Patrick CarmanConnect with Marianne Hering: WebsiteAmazonConnect with Brock Eastman: WebsiteTwitterThank you for listening! Be sure to follow and review to help other Christian families discover trustworthy and fun children’s books. Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog 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   Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail The blog version of this episode is available at www.valeriefentress.com/blog 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 Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

Send us Fan Mail 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 Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress