Emilia Edward is best friends with Katie Koons. They love to have tea parties and ride bikes and so forth. There is one problem: they both tend to brag and get a little competitive. The need to be the best at everything. Remembering their creator, who made them with strengths and weaknesses, blesses and saves the friendship.

There once was a boy named Gavin. Like most boys, he enjoyed wrestling and fishing. He liked to practice archery and dream about becoming a knight. Unlike other boys, Gavin had great sportsmanship and a good attitude. One night, his village was attacked by bandits. In an amazing twist, God used Gavin's self-controlled attitude to save the village . . . and much more.

Five-year-old Trinity is the biggest kid in her family. She knows many things, like how to eat peas with a spoon instead of launching them across the table like her baby brother does. So when her younger sister, whose questions Trinity always answers, asks what the biggest thing in the world is, Trinity sets on a mission to find out.

Soon, however, it seems that each time she finds the biggest thing, there’s another, even bigger thing, to discover. After scoping out her house, skyscrapers, the ground, and sky, she turns to Daddy for help. During the Christmas service at church, Daddy points out that the biggest thing is God’s love for us, as seen in Jesus’ birth at Christmas. After learning this, Trinity and her sister find many big things, but none are as big as God’s love.

Vampires and wizards have taken over our children’s books. Why can’t there be books with Christian values that also excite our children? This book seeks to shed new light on stories we’re all familiar with (e.g. Moses parting the Red Sea) by incorporating things children are naturally drawn to: space, animals, traveling, and even robots! With contemporary digital illustrations, “What If I Was Like Moses” would appeal to Christian and non-Christian children alike. This book would show that Christian children are just like any other kids. And that yes, Christians can be creative AND fun! Two sequels are also in the works (“What If I Was Like Elijah?” and “What If I Was Like Jesus?”).

“Good Night Moon” and morning hugs. Kite flying and wheelbarrow walking. Laughter. Church on Sundays. Happiness. Love.

Then, poof! Gone.

Blue lights flashing. Tears. Memories of how it used to be.

Twelve year old, Jessa, might forgive her Dad if she didn’t hate him so much for wrecking her family. Everything changed when he got himself thrown in the slammer more than five years ago. Her once patient Mom turned into a stress case. Her uncle took off. Money ran out. And God stopped answering prayers.  When Jessa has to move from Pennsylvania to Cape Cod to live with her Grandpa, it feels like a death sentence. Moving means saying goodbye to her best friend. It also means leaving her treasured cat behind.

Furious with the adults in her life, Jessa bonds with her Grandpa’s goofy dog. She also develops a special relationship with her quirky, young neighbor and his tough (but very cute) older brother. When the boys are able to forgive their abusive father for his mistakes, Jessa must take a closer look at what it truly means to be a family.

Only a mother could see beauty in Caleb's attempts at carpentry. Sure his very best was not good enough, Caleb hid the rough little manger in a corner of his father's shop.

There it sat, unnoticed and forgotten, until one night when the family's inn was full of guests and two more came looking for a room.

"If Toes Were Free to Be" is a delightfully whimsical children's picture book depicting the antics of Big Toe, Tall, Middle, Ring, and Pinky when freed from foot and "on their own!"  Follow the toes as they engage in a host of hilarious activities that embrace the four seasons of the year.

Written in "Dr. Seuss style," this amusing and heart-warming tale invites the reader to journey with the toes who soon realize that being " part of a whole" is more important than being "on their own."

"If Toes Were Free to Be" shares that being together, working together, and helping one another is what really matters.

This children's book is engaging for all audiences...From the very young to the young at heart!  Its humor and fun-to-read style make it enjoyable for listeners as well as readers!

Little Tang and his animal friends visit oceans, forests, jungles, and savannas.  Along the way they learn important biblical truths--as well as lessons about opposites, numbers, colors, and shapes.

Parents love to read to their young children.  Parents love to teach biblical truth to their young children.  Parents love to teach their young children simple concepts.  This collection of four short stories accompishes all those things!  Each story is written in a way that will help children learn to read for themselves.  The stories are heartfelt and will most likely end with a hug and a cry for "Read me that again!" 

What color is heaven? That’s a wonderful question! Scripture gives us some big clues, as do the colors found in God’s creation.

In this simple picture book, written to be enjoyed by the entire family, children on a school trip to the zoo take notice of the many colors around them:

“Emma the Elephant, what color is heaven?”
“It must be gray! Do you see my long, gray trunk? This is the color God created me.”

The book ends by recognizing the most important colors of all – the colors of God’s precious children.

Appendices list colors found in Scripture, as well as the homelands of animals living in all corners of our planet.

Tadpoles, clams, and minnows--wow!  For siblings Beth and Paul, growing up on a lake and exploring the wonders of aquatic life is fun ... until the children encounter a startling, “fishy” find along the shoreline.  When the kids discover the moustached, scaly blue carp they found lives in the marsh near their home, they become afraid.

Seasons pass and Beth and Paul avoid the swampy reeds at all costs--until a natural occurrence brings about a life-or-death situation for the creepy looking carp, right in their own backyard! 

With guidance from their God-honoring father, will Beth and Paul be able to overcome their apprehensions about the carp and help save them before it is too late?

Many children who are faced with the issue of bullying at school are victims, but the majority are silent witnesses.  “Stella the Brave” is a story about a witness to bullying who is inspired by God’s Holy Word to stand up for what is right! 

Stella is a well-liked girl with a good heart, but she\'s unhappy.  She watches a girl in her class get bullied everyday, and it makes her feel uncomfortable.  She would like to help, but she’s afraid to act.  She doesn\'t know what to do, until one day, when her mother reads her the story of Esther from the Bible.  Esther was afraid to act too, but with God\'s help, she stood up to save her people from Haman.  Esther\'s story inspires Stella to act bravely as well.  But can she overcome her fear of becoming a target herself?  Will God give her the courage she needs to do the right thing?

Macklin is a normal Scottish terrier living happily as a house pet with his family in a quiet, suburban part of town. But when his boy Andy is kidnapped and the police refuse to listen to the little dog’s helpful yips, it’s up to the Scotty to leave the front yard and venture out into the city to find him. With the help of a streetwise alley cat named Molly, Mack finds German Shepherd Hans and his gang of stray dogs. They agree to help him find Andy and bring him safely home, but where should they look? Macklin has no idea where the kidnappers have taken the boy or how to find him.  Besides that he has never been away from home before and everything around him is new and different.

Can the dogs find Andy and rescue him from his kidnappers to bring him home to his parents? Can they work together as a team despite their differences?

After her Grandaddy died unexpectedly, twelve-year-old Callie Bennett follows his directives to first bury him, then to find his best friend, Judge Riorden, in Cosman, Colorado. No one must know Callie and her five-year-old sister, Lexy are alone.  Callie does bury her beloved Grandaddy in a Texas pasture then drives their "bussalo" across New Mexico to Colorado.  She drives at night to keep from being detected by cops and encounters many adventures and difficulties along the way including a flat tire, getting stuck in a snowbank, being cared for by a loving Mexican couple, being hijacked by drug dealers, and finally stowing away in a horse trailer bound for Colorado.  Lexy becomes ill and Callie hides her in the barn of John and Maisy Thornton, the owners of the horse trailer.  Callie leaves Lexy in their hay barn while she rides the schoolbus to Cosman in search of Grandaddy's friend.  Instead of a judge, though, she finds an elderly man in a nursing home who doesn't know Grandaddy, at least not by the name Oliver J. Bennett.  When he does remember that his old friend, Dave Greenaway, changed his identity after going AWOL in the Vietnam War, he also recalls that there is a trust fund set up for Dave's heirs as well as a home right there in Cosman, just waiting for Callie and Lexy.  Even surprising to Mr. Riorden, is that his own son is Callie's father.

The James Family (Ian, Deirdre and their four children—Tim, Liam, Ryan and Pip), move from America to a 12-bedroom Irish country manor, Scarborough House. 13-year-old Liam, who narrates this story, is the first to discover there are many unusual things about the house where they are living. Not only is it the site of an ancient battle, it is also built atop a faerie mound and has a tunnel running underneath it. Life only becomes weirder and more dangerous for Liam when he meets Tom the Leprechaun who lives, secretly, on the grounds of Scarborough House. While taking his brothers with him to search for Tom’s crock of gold in the tunnel, Liam and his brothers fall down a mineshaft into the strange land of Rathscar. However, that accident is only the beginning of their adventures. Before they are through their sister’s life will be put at great risk, and all four children will discover a truth about one of the members of their family that they never could have imagined.

The doors open to the great ballroom and the grandeur is overwhelming. Surrounding the highly polished floors, ceiling-to-floor windows immediately draw the eye to nature’s canvas outside. Crystal chandeliers as brilliant as diamonds line the center of the ceiling and project prisms of light along the walls and floor, creating an enchanting scene. Golden plates overflowing with exquisite delicacies entice the eye, as well as the appetite. Sweet melodies fill the air as the king dances with each lady, making her feel as if she were the only one in the room.

At least that’s the way Lily imagines it to be. Although she has been invited, she has never actually gone through the golden doors. Her magical dance with the king has been delayed by her fear and doubt. But on a night that begins like any other, Lily learns an important lesson about her king—he desires to spend time with all who are willing, regardless of their perceived shortcomings.

“The Castaway Prince” is an allegory for what it means to keep faith in a risen Savior, in a world of doubters and mockers. Christopher’s mother tells him that he’s really a prince – that his father, who saved him from a shipwreck when he was a baby, is king of a land across the sea. And so Christopher decides to live like a prince, in the face of his friends’ ridicule and his own doubts, until the day when he can travel across the sea and learn the truth for himself.

The Rain People live high on the mountain. They are a peaceful, gentle people whose lives depend on the rain. Each day they go out and call down the rains to come and refresh, heal and cover them. All except one girl, whose fear of the rain keeps her from enjoying its benefits. She hides in her cabin and watches the others call down the rain and celebrate its arrival. Although she tries to imitate them from her hiding place, she is unable to call down the rain. One day she stretches out her hand to feed a small bird outside her window and feels the soft rain on her skin. Suddenly, she is no longer afraid, but quite thirsty for the rains. She joins the others, and before long, finds herself singing and dancing along with them. She realizes the folly in fearing the life giving waters of the rains for so long. This story seeks to encourage the believer to enter in and enjoy the life giving presence of God without fear or apprehension.

Lenny the nightingale has a song in his heart. He wants to share it, but can he find anyone who will listen? He attempts to share his song but is rejected every time. He finds himself turned away by others who are too busy, uninterested, and vain. Discouraged and alone, Lenny decides his song is not worthy to be sung. But bubbling inside him, the song will not be silenced. He opens up his beak and the song finds the ears of all those who rejected Lenny, as well as the one that wanted to hear it all along.  A story about the dangers of seeking the approval of others.  Sometimes those that reject our “song” are the ones who desperately need to hear it.

(Working Title:  Little Miss Josephine Goes to Ballet)

Five-year-old Josephine is a little girl who loves to dance.  With her wonderful imagination, she twirls and creates all over her house.  She dances for Mama and Daddy.  She dances for her black cat, Oscar.  Mostly she dances for herself.  On her fifth birthday, Mama and Daddy present her with the gift of ballet lessons.  Josephine excitedly goes to class where she meets her teacher, Miss Becca, and learns all sorts of ballet terms and movements.

Josephine learns from Miss Becca that the most important thing in ballet is to dance for Jesus, and not for herself.  And with that lesson, she determines to change the way she dances and twirls for the rest of her life.

     Every kid needs a break once in a while--a time to be alone. Some may have called Vincent anti-social but he was just an imaginative, thoughtful fella who liked to hide away from time to time. Often taking his own time-outs to be by himself, a certain Vincent La Rofa enjoyed hiding behind his sofa--and not a few silly things happened as a result.

     This humorous children\'s story reads easily and reminds us all of the importance of time set aside to be alone.  It concludes with the verses from Matthew chapter 14: 22 & 23, \"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself...\" (NIV)

Smileville is a magical town of talking, walking and, of course, smiling faces.  In a style similar to that of Veggie Tales, creatures that are usually inanimate (round yellow balls) come to life to tumble through life’s lessons in many humorous ways. Each lesson equips the storyteller with age-appropriate content in order to teach biblical morals to some of life’s smallest learners.  The target audience for these stories is 3-5 year olds, with the target consumers being primarily parents and, secondarily, Sunday school teachers.  Stories are set in simple prose and include a supporting Bible verse, sing-a-long song, discussion questions, and a follow up activity.  Submitted are the first two stories of this series.

"Who's going to watch for monsters under my bed? Who's going to teach me to fish or ride a bike? Who will fill my empty spot?" These are some of the questions, five year old Jayden asks God after his father dies. God answers these questions and more in a caring and understanding way. He answers with words and examples that are a part of Jayden's life. 'An Answer for Jayden' is written in dialogue form so it is easy for a young child to follow and understand.

What would happen if someone stole baby Jesus from an outdoor Nativity scene? And what if the only one who could get him back was a small, scruffy dog?

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and this little dog is as clever as he is brave.

Something special has been stolen, and it’s a daring adventure to get it back. And as in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, we learn that even the meanest person can have a change of heart and make things right.

What the Dog Saw is an inspiring tale that young children and grandchildren will want to hear again and again. When the holidays are over, add this book to your box of tree ornaments and nativity figures so children can rediscover it next Christmas.

*What the Dog Saw is part of a four-book series set in winter, spring, summer, and fall. In each book children learn important lessons about life and faith through the eyes of an extraordinary little dog.

George and his mother live in a marvelous mud house on the side of a mountain in Kenya. George is studying to take his eighth grade exams, which will determine where he might go to high school. But money is scarce, farming is difficult, and Mama George knows that unless God intervenes, she will not be able to pay for George’s schooling. George watches his mother praying and walking the long miles of the red dirt trail to the village to work every day. He works hard planting and harvesting, but worries how he will provide for his mother one day if he does not attend high school.

Five, privileged, almost-spoiled children meet George and his mother and are invited to visit their home. Far from their Oklahoma horse ranch, these children visit George’s marvelous mud house for a meal and an adventure. They witness the hard work, generosity, and faith in George’s family and realize for the first time that having little is enough. While they return home eager to work and help George’s family, they receive an even greater gift: the gift of contentment. This is a whimsical telling based on a true story.

     Rigby Raccoon’s birthday has finally arrived! He decorated his home with blue streamers and red balloons and provided party hats and kazoos for each of his guests. Suddenly, it occurs to Rigby that he has forgotten to bake a birthday cake. After a frustrating search, he is delighted to find an old recipe for Strawberry Birthday Cake—how perfect!
     Later that afternoon, Rigby discovers the beautiful strawberry birthday cake he made to share with his friends has disappeared, and only a trail of crumbs leading into the forest remain. It is then up to Rigby and his friends, Horace Rabbit, Thaddeus Squirrel and Oscar Owl to follow the clues and solve the mystery—a journey that takes them deep into the forest.
     This humorous read along story is targeted for children ages five through seven and portrays the importance of and strength in friendship, working together, and the uniqueness of each individual.

The old-fashioned, claw-footed bathtub looks and sounds like a monster to me!  Its two round faucet handles gleam like eyeballs. Its long snout-of-a-nose drip . . . drip . . . drips.  Its rumbling Glug! Glug! impromptu noises make me shiver.  You won’t catch me taking a bath and being swirled down the drain, never to be seen again.

Brandon feels the same way, although he is too young to articulate it.  The monster in his grandparents' house gives him the willies.  When Grandmother reads Brandon his favorite story about Daniel in the lions' den, Brandon learns that the same God who shut the lions’ mouths can also take care of him.  But when it comes to taking a bath, Brandon is still afraid.  How will Grandma and Grandpa convince him the monster only slurps chocolate soup and Brandon won’t be guzzled down the drain? 

Boone is always asking "Why?" and his parents struggle to satisfy his curiosity until they begin to answer in relation to God's Word. From questions about rainbows to a trip to the hardware story for more Christmas lights, Boone and his parents demonstrate how everyday occurances offer an opportunity to teach children about God's wondrous love, grace, and power. Each anecdote is followed by supporting Scripture for discussion and reflection.

The heartwarming exchanges between Boone and his parents introduce young children to the Bible and support their common questions and curiosity in a faith-based way. A seemingly simple question from a child can stump the most conscientious of parents and cause moments of panic when the answer is not always as simple as the question. For parents, the underlying lesson is not to rely on our own understanding but to look to God for the answers.

Project: FUN Inspirational Bible Stories

Included: 46 pages

Colorful Story telling at it’s best.

The story teller’s goal is to reinforce your child’s identity and self-esteem. The children are not just spectators. Each child becomes part of the story.
Through the stories, Parents will find an open door to discuss problems all children face.

Fifth-grader Tyson and his friends are challenged one Sunday morning to carry out Jesus' instructions in Matthew 25:35-40. However, in a comfortable samll town like Masonville, Michigan, can they find people who don't already have everything they need? By keeping his eyes and ears open, Tyson finds Mark, a thirteen-year-old boy hiding in plain sight in the town's library. Mark needs food, clothes, and, most importantly, someone to care about him. Can Tyson and his friends help?

Hark is about the adventures of a young messenger angel named Hark.  It tells the story of the messages he was sent to deliver and the people he was sent to deliver them to.

How will Hark get their attention? Will the people listen? Once they have heard God's message, how will they remember it?

Hark discovers that the world is a noisy place full of all kinds of messages, many of which are not from God. He knows he must come up with some way to help the people hear and remember God's messages.

While this is a wonderful book for children, it will resonate with anyone who loves a good story.  The themes of love, listening, and loyalty touch hearts of all ages. The story of Hark reaffirms God's love for each one of us and inspires us to listen for His voice as we journey through life. 

Walk with Emily, Carter, and Chloe as they experience the death of their little sister, Gracie.  Learn about what happens when someone you love goes to live with Jesus, including the funeral service and what you may feel during and after this sad, dark time. Find joy in the journey of grief and a reminder of God's bigger plan.

Suzy Summers doesn’t have a pet. On the last day of school before summer vacation, the student’s assignment is to give a report of their favorite pet or one they would like to have. Suzy always wanted a puppy, but her mother cannot afford one. However, Ziggy, a wild duck helped Suzy solve her problem.

This children\'s book was inspired by a real-life event:  in other words, it is the stuff that life is about. Instead of using my daughter as the main character, though, I chose \"Maxie,\" who can be interpretted as a boy or as a girl, thus widening the target audience.  In this book, Maxie is learning about his/her family tree, which is simplified in explanation to \"the tummy tree.\"  However, the book doesn\'t stop there, for the message that this book seeks to impart is that we are all part of God\'s family, adopted to become His children, and everyone has a home in His love.

This book is meant to make readers laugh, and also to allow readers to be active participants in the story. It will keep the adult relayers and the children receiving the story very engaged and entertained.  Everyone can see themselves in this story, and parents/guardians will welcome the opportunity to have the proverbial puzzler of \"how babies come into the world\" and \"why are some families different\" simplified for their children.

The Mysterious Six, a young detectives club with a knack for adventure, have quite the mystery to solve.  Robyn's chickens keep coming up missing and it will take some serious sluething to discover who or what the culprit is and stop him. Solving this case is a matter of life or death (for the chickens, that is) and it will take every bit of their deductive skills to figure it out. But little do they realize that there is Someone they can't see who is watching over them and working things out.  They think that they're just a detective's club, but He sees them as His 'Little Giants', doing amazing things for the Kingdom of God!  They are His powerful warriors in 'little people suits' who are unkowingly following His lead every step of the way.  Solving this will be one small victory for the Mysterious Six but one GIANT victory for the Kingdom of God!

 Mind Your Morals is a series of seven children’s stories, which are based on different verses from the NIV Bible.  In each story, a wise and sensitive girl named Emily, members of her family and an expanding group of friends in the Grace Lane Gang confront real issues that challenge kids today.  These stories end with Emily’s bedtime prayer, when she reviews with Jesus the day’s events and the lessons that she learned from her experience.  Following every story is a Lesson Guide, with a series of questions designed to determine the readers’ understanding of the concept and its application to their own lives.  An inspirational thought concludes each lesson.

At a time when the average father, according to one study, spends only 37.7 seconds per day with his young children in meaningful conversation and interaction, meet “The Kid Who Wouldn’t Go To Sleep.” The first in a series of “Kid Who Wouldn’t…” picture books, and maybe even a small part of God\'s Malachi 4:6 solution that might just help dads spend more than 37.7 seconds per day with their kids.

     The Gathering is the backstory of Noah's Ark, as told from the perspective of the animals. Just as Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, so it was with the animals chosen to board the ark. According to Scripture, these animals were not gathered by Noah; they made this journey on their own (see Genesis 6:20). What's more, many of these animals were predator and prey, yet they peacefully coexisted during this brief time in history.

     The story begins with a select few among the chosen who are blessed with unique spiritual gifts for completing this great quest. To an eagle was given the gift of true sight; only he can see the mark of the chosen. To a young lion was given miraculous faith; to a black sheep, a selfless heart; to a subtle serpent, the keenest intellect; and to a white wolf, an unyielding hope in times of despair.

    Guided by their prophetic dreams, these animals sense they are on the edge of a great precipice. They heed a peculiar calling as they are drawn to the ark, which beckons them from the summit of the Mountain of Gathering.

A girl raising an adventuresome puppy, a hardworking farmer and his faithful horse, and a wise king who loves birdwatching.  What can they teach us about spiritual truths? 

Inspired by Jesus’ use of parables to convey complex wisdom through simple stories, these three modern-day parables use engaging characters to illustrate concepts from God’s Word for children and adults alike.

"The Master’s Voice": The story of a curious puppy who resents the leash and the fence that keep it from going wherever it wishes. 

"The Farmer’s Horses": The story of prized and pampered horses who choose the comfort of their stables over hard work, only to discover that the one horse who answers the call to a difficult task receives the greatest reward. 

"The King’s Birds": A wise and powerful king who delights in birdwatching takes great pains to provide for his feathered friends during a time of drought, but is disappointed to find that few of them choose to accept his gift.

Have you ever felt like you were stuck living in the wrong place? In this gospel allegory, we meet Seth, who's life is quickly going from bad to worse. The only thing falling apart faster is his house, but he is too poor to fix it up. He desperately wants to improve his home, but nothing is working.

Then he meets the mysterious Joshua. Joshua offers him a radical choice that sounds better than his wildest dreams. Will Seth risk everything he has and trust Joshua? Is it possible that a better life is available?

The familiar themes of rescue and redemption are told in fresh and child friendly manner that will spark curiosity and discussion among readers of all ages.

Everything was going along as it always had in the solitary Wee-Dunker village hidden deep in the woods on the edge of their beloved riverbed.  That is, until "he" showed up.  A stranger arrives, and with him comes a moral dilemma, and an adventure into unknown territory.  He is an outsider and different than they are.  Will they accept him, or make him leave?  Can they overcome their narrow-minded ways? Will they learn anything from this new visitor? 

Come on this fun and exciting journey, as the Wee-Dunkers learn the value of love and acceptance.

Rigby Raccoon gazes with admiration and longing at the shiny red bouncy ball in the window of Mr. Groundhog’s store. His problem, however, is that he doesn’t have the fifty cents that Henley Groundhog wants for the ball. He despairs until Mr. Groundhog offers him a job in his store for the afternoon. After stocking some cans of tomatoes and diligently sweeping and dusting the store, Rigby is satisfied that he has done a good job and that the red bouncy ball will soon be his. However, he doesn’t count on the arrival of Jasper Bear who is covered in water and mud from rolling in the creek and shakes it all off in the newly cleaned store! This heartwarming story helps children understand the importance of working for something they want and doing a good job. Also hidden in the story is the message that setbacks can occur and that true friends are a wonderful treasure.

One in four women have or will lose a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. 

The pain for family facing such difficult circumstances can be eased when the life of their child is acknowledged outright, no matter how long they lived in utero, or how many breaths they took beyond. 

The value God places on life is clear and should be claimed for these little ones too. Psalm 139 illuminates this: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb… Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (verses 13 & 16) 

Snowflake is a book after God’s own heart for children. While not overtly ‘Christian’ in its wording, it seeks to bring understanding about pregnancy loss and infant death to children while nurturing clarity and healing in adults.  It is a simple tale of a bunny, a snowflake and woodland friends that brings light to a dark topic not often discussed.

GUARDING THE DEEP is a Middle Grade mystery novel. Connor Van Buren, aged fifteen, experiences an unusual rite of passage after his beloved grandfather passes away. A Boy Scout in name only, Connor is mandated to community service following a prank that backfired. When strange men attempt a break-in at his beloved Grandfather’s house, the ensuing suspense uncovers U.S. top secrets. Connor must decide which is more important: expose the truth about his beloved Grandfather, who worked undercover as a “Bordyce Associate,” or break curfew and be sent to military school. The setting is the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia in the summer of 1976, and the book depicts the US government's part on the world stage during the Cold War Era.

GUARDING THE DEEP is 63,000 words. Based on the once top-secret underground Bunker at the famous Greenbrier Hotel, this book will challenge young teens with its complex social issues, history and political intrigue. Connor is thrust into uncovering the truth at the Willow Spa Hotel. Longtime Hotel employees Henry Jones and Roland Fritz are onto Connor. He elicits the help of two trusted friends, Spencer and Katie Kates, but knows he must access the secret bunker alone.

It is Christmas Eve morning, and the tiny hamlet of Berry Hollow is bustling with excitement! At the corner of Walnut and Apple Street, Rigby Raccoon is pounding on Henley Groundhog’s front door. Rigby had promised to wake up the groundhog from his winter sleep on Christmas Eve. Later, as Rigby and Henley are enjoying a warm fire and hot apple cider, the groundhog remembers that he also had promised to wake up Ollie Bear and her two cubs, Tulip and Daisy, for Christmas. Rigby solicits the help of his friend Edgar Elk to help them make the journey to the Bears’ den on Pine Mountain. Once they reach the den, there is discussion on how to awaken the big Ollie Bear from her winter’s sleep. By working together, they come up with a solution that utilizes Henley Groundhog’s talent for whistling. On Christmas Day, the mayor of Berry Hollow, Oscar Owl, asks Tulip and Daisy, with Rigby’s help, to place a wooden star on top of the town’s Christmas tree. The story ends with Oscar Owl telling of a good and wondrous light that came into the world a long, long time ago. For ages five through seven.

Communicating with children after a divorce is often a challenge, and many parents feel at a loss about how their children are doing and how to help them. Big emotions and limited vocabulary often get in the way of children expressing what is going on inside.  When Will I Feel Normal Again? is a collection of seven stories aimed at five- to ten-year-olds, about seven main emotions many children feel after a divorce.  Written from the perspective of two children, Liam and Emily, the stories will give young readers the vocabulary they need to identify their feelings and allow parents to get a glimpse into their children’s hearts and minds. The fun activities after each story give this book a workbook feel, making it a valuable tool for both families and other children’s workers. The stories include Scripture, which brings God’s truth and comfort to hurting hearts.

Kids' Bites are bite-sized pieces about life that kids take, each bite helping them understand intangible virtues that God wants us to exemplify.

This book is aimed at children 3-8 years, and it is meant to be read by the parent(s) and child(ren) together. It deals with 10 themes or life lessons. Each life lesson is a virtue we want our children to grow up with, for example, Respect, Honesty, etc. However, none of it is drummed into them. We teach them the value of these lessons through theme-related stories and connect them to God's viewpoint on the theme via the Bible. Each life lesson will take less than 10-15 minutes.

Each Life Lesson includes:

• An introduction/lead in titled Think It Over
• A story titled Story Time
• A Bible verse titled Bible Time
• A few discussion points titled Talk It Over
• A Prayer titled Pray Over It

Using Jesus' analogy that we are like sheep this book shows that as a shepherd cares for his sheep Jesus cares for us.  It also shows that we have a responsibliity to do our part in the choices we make.  Children can learn to depend on Jesus and make good choices.

Finn likes safe things and solid facts.  But when his parents move the family into a new city and a new house that hasn't been lived in for fifty years, it's not a surprise when the local kids tell him it's haunted.  The mystery deepens when Finn finds a very special ball in the house and strange things start happening around him.  After being chased through the woods by a large creature with blue fur, Finn knows something is very wrong.  Then, a local boy goes missing, and he is compelled to go looking for him.  With help from the ball, Finn ventures through many doors, including one out of his world, to rescue the missing boy.  

See teaser trailer at:  https://vimeo.com/185593157

Do You Still Love Me? is a gentle rhyme that tells a powerful message for children.  Young animals, ranging from a sheep to a shark, are reassured by family members that they are loved even if they look a little differently than their friends.  For all children who have ever wished, or will ever wish, that something about their life were different, Do You Still Love Me? makes it clear that both their family’s love and God’s love are unconditional.

A hungry field mouse, searcing for food, finds a secret cache of wheat kernels. Torn between his own hunger and the needs of his neighbors, he must choose, day after day either to keep the food or give it away. He never suspects that the pile of wheat is actually trickling from a wheat silo full of more wheat than he could ever eat. This is a beautiful story of generosity when it seems there is not much to give.

Heavenly Humblebee is no ordinary bumblebee. In fact, she's an extraordinary bee with an even more extraordinary job. After all, what could be greater than living in Heaven, tending to the gardens and preparing honey for The King? Nothing! Or so she thought ... but God has an even greater plan for His sweet little bee. Join this heavenly bumblebee as she embarks on an earthly mission to help others. She’ll help them discover the God who created and loves them, and she'll assist them in finding His purpose for their lives. You don't want to miss this amazing journey!

James is a boy who is fascinated with a TV super hero by the name of Tornado Tim. James devotes his time trying to build a friendship with this TV star. James is broken-hearted when he discovers that Tornado Tim doesn't have any idea who he is. James' mom helps him find his way to his real hero; the one who actually know who James is.

JÉSUS MARY AND JOSEPH is a 720 word picture book – a Christmas tale told in form of prayers to God from a little Hispanic boy who wants a part in the school Nativity.

 Jésus is a slow learner. Sometimes, he even gets confused between make believe and real life.  But when he finally lands a part as the innkeeper in his school’s nativity play, he is determined not to mess things up. He grows more and more confident in his role.  But on the opening night, when Mary and Joseph ask him, “Do you have any room at your inn?”  Jésus comes up with an answer that causes chaos on stage.  Fortunately, with the help of his big cousin, Miguel, Jésus’ loving spirit shines brightly, making him the star of the show. 

A cat that strolls into a farm and loves big band trumpet music? This is not just a unique plot for a children’s story; this cat truly exists! Below is the true story of Bob.

My brother, Allen, was a trumpet performance major in college. After graduating, he came back to the farm but continued to play his trumpet and is in a band that plays big band music. Allen practices almost every day. 

One day a stray cat appeared on the farm. Soon it began showing up at the office where Allen practices. Then the cat ventured into the office and eventually climbed on Allen's lap while he was playing. Over time, this cat began sitting by his pickup every evening waiting for him. One evening the cat hopped up in the pickup, sat on Allen's lap, and rode the distance to the office. (He also likes to play with the turn signal as “they” drive.)

As a result of hearing this unique story, I have written a children's picture book manuscript about a cat named Bob--an ordinary name that he finds rather boring because he believes he’s an extraordinary cat. He goes on a search for a new name, one that is amazing and will define how special he is. He wants to do something that “not all cats do.” In his search, which leads him to a farm, he becomes “Big Band Bob.”

The Case of the Cryptic Clue involves a young detectives club known as the Mysterious Six who are trying to unravel the meaning of a strange note they find in a hundred-year-old book that once belonged to the wealthy tycoon, Giovanni Valentino. As they find themselves searching for clues in the strangest places they soon discover that they are not the only ones in pursuit of a potential treasure. A suspicious-looking limo arrives in town and as one perilous situation arises after another they must rely on the Lord to come to their rescue. Their King is faithfully intervening on their behalf as He gives them dreams and sends His angels to guard, direct and protect them. In the midst of all of their nerve-racking adventures the Lord has orchestrated a powerfully divine encounter for Oliver, the newest member of the club. Jesus has been gently and lovingly drawing the boy to Himself and has given His warriors- His ‘Little Giants’, as He calls them- the honor of telling Oliver the Good News about Jesus Christ (that is, in between being thrown in a crypt by a beautiful, power-hungry nut-case and finding mountains of priceless treasures and dead mice).  One life is forever changed as the Little Giants simply walk in outrageous faith.  

Working Title:  Tell Me About God, Grandpa

     Seven-year-old Joshua has serious doubts about God. His parents don't attend church, and his best friend is mad at God because his mom died even though he had prayed for her to live. How can Josh possibly find answers to his questions?

     If you've been looking for something in addition to the wonderful stories in the Bible to help a child who is special to you learn more about God, Tell Me About God, Grandpa is a big step forward in meeting that need. In this book Joshua spends an "old-fashioned week" with his grandparents, vacationing in their camper at a rural campground. With the wisdom Grandpa and Grandma have learned from scriptures, they use the teachable moments during an experience here and a conversation there, and lovingly reveal to Josh the awesome God they love and serve. On an elementary level they reveal God's character, His creation and plan for mankind, the fall, and our need for someone to rescue us and restore us to fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

     Tell Me About God, Grandpa offers a subtle theological education nestled within a casual, imaginative, heart-warming story.

 

Sela has a secret. She thinks she is catching glimpses of her guardian angel in the mirror. Normally, Sela would tell her best friend, Emily, but since Emily's mother died she has cut Sela and Zach out of her life. The three friends are bound by their faith and determination to be proud of their beliefs no matter how unpopular it makes them. Sela tries to plow ahead with her positive attitude and prayers until Zach and the youth minister make her realize that she is pushing Emily further away by pressuring her. Chastised, Sela backs off.

When things spiral out of control and Sela is afraid they are losing Emily completely, she petitions her guardian angel to intervene. The “Way” twins, Victor and Gloria, are soon a part of the student body at Roosevelt Middle School and not even Sela knows that they are angels. They weave themselves into the lives of the students, with sometimes funny antics, and help the friends find their way back to friendship.

It becomes apparent to the visiting angels that God has another reason for sending them. Sela is given the gift of seeing others through God's eyes. With the help of the Way twins and a creative teacher, she is able to bring a diverse group of students together in a contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast. The students learn a lot about each other and the stories behind the personalities. They learn together that their differences are not so different.

When Issa’s mother leaves him alone at nightfall in Kenya’s savanna, not old enough to know who or what he is, she promises Issa that Daddy is nearby, and that Issa is safe. But is it true? Not according to a slither named Snake—an "educator” passing by.

Snake’s curriculum is to the point, and “safe” isn’t a word on the vocabulary list. Issa is taught that he is a mouse, a fearful thing to be if you wish to survive. Fear, hiding, and running away might just keep you alive, especially if you encounter the "Lion King.”

Issa does encounter the Lion King; however, after spending the night near this beast, Issa can’t help but wonder, despite his fear, who this curious King, this Lord of the night, really is. Nevertheless, when this Lion pounces, Issa has only one thing he can do. Remembering his mom’s promise, Issa prays, “Daddy! Help!” Will he come? Or will he cower too, leaving Issa to find his own way to escape this Lion’s terrible roar?

Armed with just his mom’s promise and a prayer, Issa is in for the night that will prove to forever be the night of his life.

"Beleiving is for each to choose."

Dusty, talking slippers and a child witness the birth of Christ and travel the globe to shout the Good News!

A rhyming short poem this "pair" of evangelists are on mission - all while mom shops antiques!

Travel with them and "believe."

Do golden Christmas trees really exist? If so, where and why?

Fifteen-year-old Christine Loving has been asked by the mayor to light the town Christmas tree. She's rehearsed her speech a thousand times, but as she's about to leave for the event she discovers a mysterious inscription on her Bible that she's never seen before.

"Congratulations, Christine, on solving the mystery of the golden Christmas trees." This mystery consumes Christine, who believes her rehearsed speech may now be all wrong.

She engages the help of her BFF, Timothy, along with some fun-loving and quirky townspeople to solve this mystery. But is there time before the tree lighting? She must try.

There once was a goose who talked to the wind. And the wind talked back. Its voice was soft and kind, but none of the other geese seemed to hear it. One day, the wind told the goose to leave his formation and fly to a special place meant just for him. To follow the wind, the goose would have to ignore the laughs of his flock and risk going where he’d never gone before. He tried to refuse the call, but something in the wind’s voice made him hope for something yet unseen…

How do you explain love, probably the most important emotion humans experience, to a child? How do you explain its many forms? What does it feel like, look like?

WHAT IS LOVE? is a 402 - word picture book about different types of love - love of family, friendship, God and nature - that a child can understand through examples that engage the five senses. It ends with the most important lesson about love - having an open heart so you can share it with everyone.

I wrote it with four- to seven-year-olds in mind.

How many losses must Linnie endure? At eight years old Linnie feels like she can’t trust adults any more. She begins to think she’s on the path to an unhappy life, full of disappointment and loneliness.

But on a vacation with her mom, God intervenes to heal her and restore trust, joy, and optimism about her future. 

In miraculous and fantastic ways God reveals His plan for the life of His children.  On a hidden island, alone with animals with whom she can magically communicate, Linnie learns amazing lessons about the One who made her and provides for her, the truth about her identity, and how the company we keep impacts our daily life.

Escape with Linnie to Eden Isle to experience healing, joy, and peace.

      Fall in love with Mama Rosemary and her seven inquisitive ducklings as they discover valuable life lessons through the farm animals. As Farmer Reed milks the family cow, a duckling named Sandy becomes jealous of all the special treatment the milk cow receives. Sandy believes she needs to be like a milk cow to be special in Farmer Reed’s eyes. In a hilarious ducky way, Sandy and her siblings practice being milk cows. But Mama Rosemary soon takes the opportunity to teach her ducklings what special really means.

Adelyn and Paxton live with their Father, a great King, in the middle of a vast and glorious garden.  Whether they are riding their ponies along winding woodland trails, swimming in the fathomless pool at the foot of the Towering Mountains, or climbing the Ancient Majestic Tree, the children’s days are packed with adventure. There is only one place in the Garden that is forbidden: “You must NEVER venture to the Far Western Wall,” Papa warns them sternly. “Great danger lurks there!”

The temptation proves too great. Defying Papa’s warning, the children set off toward the Far Western Wall. Their disobedience results in disaster, landing them on the dark side of the Far Western Wall. For the first time in their lives, Adelyn and Paxton find themselves beyond the safety of Papa’s Garden. Fearing this day would come, Papa has a plan to rescue the children. The plan will cost Him dearly.

Christmas is just four weeks away, and eleven-year-old Marlene and her two brothers think this will be their best Christmas ever. The children have made their “wish lists” and are happily participating in all the family’s holiday preparations.

But then an unexpected situation arises that may mean the Bailey children will have to make some sacrifices. Can Marlene find joy without receiving the gift she wants? How can this possibly turn out to be the Bailey’s best Christmas ever?

In 2018 we began fostering three children in addition to our two biological teenage daughters. Our oldest foster daughter is named Anna and has experienced far more than a four-year-old child should experience. When she arrived, she was naturally insecure. Gradually I began trying to articulate to her that we would love her no matter what she did, good or bad. Gradually this message began to sink in. With pride she would tell us that she knew we would love her, even if she did bad.

Anna and Sage came to us in June 2018. Their baby brother, Malibu, was born four months later in September of 2018. He was abandoned at the hospital a few days after he was born. He was seven weeks premature and only weighed three pounds four ounces at birth. We spent six weeks driving back and forth to the hospital visiting and skin-to-skin kangarooing him. During that time my heart melted. As he lay on my chest, I began trying to articulate to my new little man how much I loved him. Gradually those ideas were crafted into What Am I Gonna Do with You?

We plan to dedicate the first 10 percent of proceeds from the book to Foster Parenting/Adoption Agencies.

Faith is in the fourth grade, and finally old enough to audition to be a ventriloquist in the Stars in the Making after-school club.  There’s one spot open for a puppeteer/ventriloquist.  William, Faith’s nemesis, is also trying out for that role.  Faith must overcome several obstacles to become a ventriloquist.    

This year the club is meeting on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays.  Faith and her veterinarian parents have a weekly pet adoption program on Thursdays.  Faith must figure out how to be in two places at once.

Faith has a little stage fright during tryouts.   She gets the coveted part, but as a boring puppeteer.  After auditions William pranks Faith. She opens a present left on her desk to find a chicken puppet. The puppet screeches, “Congratulations, Faith, on being a chicken! Bacawk, bacawk, bacawk.” 

To prove she’s not a chicken, Faith takes William’s dare and does a triple flip off the diving board, getting her after-school detention.

Will after school detention keep Faith from the first club meeting?  Will Faith find her voice?  The voice that doesn’t squeak.  The voice that has the courage to speak up to William.

Sixth grader Adelaide Harris isn’t an ordinary girl. Her odd tics and repetitive behaviors make her an easy target for bullies. If people could only understand the strange, scary, intrusive thoughts that drive her quirks and oddities, maybe they’d cut her a break. Maybe she’d cut herself a break! An unlikely friendship with a broken butterfly leads her on a journey of accepting what is flawed in herself and others and reaching a refreshing realization that maybe ordinary isn’t so great after all.

Hush Little Baby: A Christian Lullaby is a Christian version of a popular lullaby, whose words will comfort little ones as they drift off to sleep.  Making this book a staple in your child’s nighttime routine will plant seeds of God’s love into the garden of their hearts as they journey into the land of sweet dreams.

Book Title: Mister Tim the Stump (Chipmunk Tales from Tommy Creek Series) Chippy Chipmunk is not your average forest chipmunk. He invites you into his home (Mister Tim the Stump). He'll invite you to sit a spell and enjoy dandelion tea and pine nut cookies while he keeps you spellbound in one of his tales of adventure.

Twelve-year old Will Abbott does not expect his eighth-grade year at Fern Valley Middle School to be any different than the last seven—school, soccer, and lazy Saturdays spent with his two best friends. But when a rash of crime strikes their little town, Will, his twin sister, Wendy, and their friends suspect the class bully, Beefy Boris, is involved and getting help from an unlikely source—their own classmates!

When Will, Wendy and their friends set out to catch the criminal mastermind, they step into a conflict bigger and more frightening than they realize: the epic battle for the hearts of the children. Can their guardian angels, led by the great Angel Wise, stop the nefarious Angel Harm who is determined to steal the faith from Fern Valley?  

Mysterious piano music is floating on the night breeze at Melody Lane Music Camp, and twelve-year-old Becky Lawson's curiosity is about to get the better of her! She arrives at camp with her best friend, Megan, and soon the two are caught up in a midnight mystery that has them asking questions and breaking the rules to discover the truth. What will the consequences be for pursuing the answers? Will they be allowed to return to Melody Lane Music Camp? If mysterious music isn't enough, there is the unhappy camper who is sharing their cabin for the week - Katie Jenkins. The girl has a serious attitude, and Becky can't understand why she is so angry about being in such an amazing place. A mystery, a challenging new friendship, and a horse named Starlight will cause Becky to rely on her faith and trust God to help her be kind, be truthful, and be courageous in the face of fear!

How do you explain to your little one what beauty is? Where it comes from? How you see it? Perhaps the creativity and beauty of God is seen wherever your child goes - from playing in mud with friends to watching falling rain through a smudged window pane. So take a walk through a day with this little one, who wants to know: "Mama, what is beauty?"

Twelve-year old Will Abbott does not expect his eighth-grade year at Fern Valley Middle School to be any different than the last seven—school, soccer, and lazy Saturdays spent with his two best friends. But when a rash of crime strikes their little town, Will, his twin sister, Wendy, and their friends suspect that the class bully, Beefy Boris Bobrick, is involved and is getting help from an unlikely source—their own classmates! When Will, Wendy and their friends, including a gregarious new girl with a mysterious past, set out to trap the criminal mastermind, they uncover new clues to a twenty-five-year-old mystery. Can they solve both mysteries and help their town find closure?

The Bible talks about sparrows in the book of Luke: ”not one of them is forgotten by God.” Matthew and Luke each mention that you are of more value than birds. The story of Nelson starts out in a rookery of flamingos. An egg hatches and out pops Nelson. He is a grey chick. God takes care of Nelson. He provides Nelson with a mother and father who feed and care for him. Nelson looks at the birds in his rookery. He sees pink birds flying, putting their heads in the water to feed, and standing on one leg. Nelson falls, chokes, and swallows mud as he attempts to take care of himself. As Nelson becomes a fledgling, he notices his pink feathers. Nelson continues to try his wings, stand on one leg, look for his pink feathers, and stick his head in the water. He gets bigger and pinker. Nelson does not give up; he finally flies. God takes care of Nelson, and God cares even more about you.

This children's fiction is based on the inspiration provided by Dr. Elain Aron and her psychological research work on Highly Sensitive Child (HSC).  Aron compares a HSC to an orchid among a field of daffoldils.  Instead of being labeled as "socially awkward" or "ADHD", children and parents should embrace high sensitivity as a temperament rather than as a symptom.  This book is a fun monologue from an orchid who is highly sensitive.  The monologue, paired with beautiful art work of flowers, aims to provide a literary niche to  speak directly to a HSC.

An alcoholic mom, an absent dad, and messages from the landlord detailing how unpaid rent equals eviction: how could things possibly get worse for twelve-year-old Skyla Roberts? But things do get worse when Skyla is ripped away from her best friend and taken to live in a new town with a no-nonsense, workaholic aunt. And, to top it off, her new teen neighbor, Hunter Smithy, bullies her just because she’s a Roberts! But when Skyla’s great-uncle, Bill Roberts, asks Skyla to work on his farm, she must choose between trusting her heart and believing Hunter’s haunting claims about her uncle. Does Uncle Bill really keep a mummy in the barn? And, if he’s not insane, why does he clutter his fields with such excessive amounts of solar equipment? After choosing to move past her fears, Skyla begins building an unexpected friendship with her uncle. Little does she know that working for him is actually a test--a test that many before her have failed. If Skyla passes this test, she will receive a special key to a secret paradise! Two Keys to Eden, the first of a three-part series, is written for teen girls, ages 11-14.

If the meaning of the constellations' pictures were taught by an angel to the Hebrew patriarchs, then how would Enoch have taught them to his descendants? Here is a fictionalized account of Grandfather Enoch teaching that the constellations are symbols of Christ. Young Yeshua is fascinated to learn: the Maiden (Virgo) is a symbol of the Seed of the Maiden that comes to be the promised Messiah; the Scales (Libra) represent a price that must be paid for the sins of the world; the Scorpion (Scorpio) represents evil, pain, and death afflicting the mortal world; the Archer (Sagittarius) represents the coming Messiah as the Hero overcoming sin and death as he shoots his arrow into the heart of the Scorpion. As Yeshua and his family listen, all twelve of the constellations of the zodiac are explained as symbols of Christ and His mission. The fictional account is accompanied by an appendix with extensive supporting details that include all 48 constellations; ancient Hebrew, Arabic, and Egyptian star names that point to Christ; and scriptural references that support the Christian symbolism. The fiction book will include a brief appendix but the bulk of the supporting details will be available through internet links to the author’s website.

Mara's Mum has the “best job in the whole world. She is the person who helps babies to be born.” Mara is learning how to be a midwife too and is just old enough to start helping her mother with small tasks like preparing swaddling cloth and fetching water. When her Mum is asked to support a family visiting Bethlehem, Mara is excited to be allowed to go along. Through Mara’s eyes, we are invited into the story of the birth of Jesus and challenged to think about the possibility of a different ‘nativity scene’ than what we usually experience in the lead up to Christmas - one where Jesus is welcomed into the world by women. Based on accounts from historians about childbirth in first-century Palestine, (where men were not usually present at the birth of a baby) and connecting with Luke 2:1-21, Mara the Messenger is a story of hope and joy that also asks us to consider how the role of women in history and the Christian faith tradition is shared with our young people. Even when we don’t read their names in the text or hear about their leadership, their kindness, their good works - the women were there. Just as they are now.

Is God really everywhere? Even when you cry? Even when you fall asleep or wake up in a fright? Join in the discovery that God’s presence is with you everywhere you go. For even in the best hiding spot, there’s not one He doesn’t know!

Stefan the delivery stork is at the top of his game delivering babies. The self-proclaimed “best stork around” has seen it all – tiny babies, chubby babies, nervous moms, and serious doctors – or so he thought. One sunny day, with thoughts of fishing on his mind, Stefan gets a call from “the Big Guy upstairs” (aka God) requesting that he make a “special delivery.” Falling back on his routine antics, Stefan’s humor fills the usually happy hospital room, until he realizes this is no routine delivery. Stefan is asked to do something he’s never done before: carry a baby from his first mama to his forever mama. It’s a journey Stefan must take to deliver God’s plan and bring this baby the life he deserves. And it’s a deep lesson in the power of a mother’s pure, strong, and unconditional love.

“It is also beautiful and fruitful to entrust to this prayer the growth and development of children. Does the Rosary not follow the life of Christ, from his conception to his death, and then to his Resurrection and his glory?” ~JOHN PAUL II  From the Vatican, on the 16th day of October in the year 2002 Join Turtledove on his prayer journey as he follows Jesus and Mary through the Mysteries of the Rosary. The spirit of Scripture is preserved as Gentle Dove patiently answers Turtledove’s many questions, explains the history, and shares fun facts about the Rosary along the way.

A Master Craftsman creates a piano that is destined for grand stages. But when the piano’s music is hampered by its need to please the crowd, its journey seemingly ends in a dark storage room.  This heartwarming children’s tale pulls inspiration from the well-known hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."  By the end, the reader will be singing along with the piano, “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace!”

Zeb’s fifth-grade existence of secret video game playing is in danger of becoming exposed with every passing day.  He’s obsessed with his video games and he’ll do anything he can to hide his secret life.  When the inevitable happens, Zeb is forced to figure out how to reprogram his life with the help of his parents who have struggles of their own.  Will they find their way back to God, and to a life of purpose? This short journal, written in the first person, is one of a series of “True Confessions” books for middle school students.  These books are aimed at kids who have not yet been introduced to a life of faith, or kids of faith who need to read about life from other children’s lived experiences.  Other titles include: True Confessions of a Runaway Foster Kid, True Confessions of a Middle School Bully, True Confessions of a Home-Schooled Kid in Public School, and True Confessions of a Kid in Missions.

“Who Told the Earth How it Should Be?” is a children’s picture book for ages  2-5 years.  

What happens when Squirt, the littlest squirrel in the forest, sees shiny black eyes staring back at him from beneath a snowy blowdown? Is it friend or foe? When he tries to tell his parents back at the nest, they don't have time to listen because everyone is getting ready for the big Christmas Gathering in the forest. And then, on Christmas Eve, Squirt vanishes! All the forest animals search for Squirt - but will they find him? What has happened at the blowdown? And how does all of this show them the real meaning of Christmas?

Jojo’s carefree childhood ended the day her daddy died, and her life began to spiral tragically out of control. One night, armed with a pair of scissors, she resolved to take charge of her future. Unfortunately, she soon found out that some things in life just can’t be determined by a thirteen-year-old orphan. She’s now living in her seventh foster home and determined not to get attached to this new family. Will a persistent dachshund and some orange gumdrops lead her to find the happy future she longs for, or will some unwise decisions and an unimaginable illness ruin everything? Jojo fears she will lose her hair, her family, and maybe even her life. Through the love of her new family and the grace of the Lord, Jojo finally learns that second chances are possible, and hair always grows back!

ON THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS is a song to the tune of THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.  Renowned author Isabel Anders is seeking an illustrated book to accompany the song lyrics.

What Should I Dream? is an imaginative story for young children that generates ideas for them to dream about: ideas ranging from the absurd and fantastic to the realistic, inspiring, and visionary. It’s told as a dialogue between a mother and her daughter; the mother suggests dream ideas as the daughter slowly drifts off to sleep--to dream of the unexpected and the extraordinary. 

Despite each trial that we face in life, such as the 2020 pandemic that knew no boundaries and crossed all lines, there is always much to be thankful for and celebrate.  Blessings, both BIG and small, are all around us in God’s magnificent Creation.  Do you see them, or do you need a bit of assistance? Sometimes, we just have to look a little harder and a little deeper to see the blessings that are right in front of us.  When we do, we can celebrate because those wonderful blessings help us see and love Jesus, the Creator of all things, more.  So, let’s travel along on a journey and discover some of those blessings for ourselves!  Behind each door that we encounter, we will see precious pets, the deep blue sea, fun friends, sweet treats, faithful family and more.  Our many blessings are indeed something to celebrate!   As we discover each one of them, remember to give a shout out or stand and cheer, both ways to respond are appropriate here! Wow, blessings….how splendid!

What is the most beautiful sight our eyes could behold? The strongest force we could experience? The kindest or most loving friend? The sweetest treasure? Grandpa knows that the answer to each of these questions is actually a Person. He shares the answer with his curious grandchildren after they ask their Grandpa why he loves Jesus so much. Readers of all ages will enjoy this lyrical story with a message coated in biblical truth and the incomparable beauty of the gospel.

Sisters, Laynie and Annie, frequently go for walks on the path near their house.  Along their way, they encounter a small problem (such as muddy feet) and a truth about Jesus (such as beautiful feet) delivered by Lucky the Ladybug.

Word Kids is a read-aloud 31 day story devotional (hopefully followed by at least one more volume) for children ages 5-12.  Each day follows the experiences, adventures, and challenges of ten year old twins Jake and Emma Anderson as they learn to apply God's Word to everyday life.

When Lizzy Richter’s father left his family to find work in Chicago during the Depression, no one expected him to stay away for good. Three years later, no one expects him to return. Now Daddy is back, and he’s not alone. Besides a scrawny dog named Doorknob, there’s Myron, a shell-shocked veteran from the Great War. Daddy is a vet himself, and he’s determined to get Myron safely back to his family. But the two of them are out of food, they’re almost out of money, and there’s an officer of the law looking for them. They need Lizzy’s help. No one else knows Daddy is back, so Lizzy reluctantly agrees to keep his return a secret and help Myron. Daddy promises he’ll come home to stay when Myron is safe, but after three years of silence, can Lizzy trust his word? Can God really change a man the way Daddy says he’s been changed? Despite Lizzy’s best efforts, some secrets are impossible to keep. When her family learns that Daddy is back, she is caught in a firestorm amidst the people she loves most. Lizzy realizes her decision to trust and forgive the father she still loves might come with a price.

If you get a fright, and suddenly fireflies encircle you in light, It Could Be Angels helping.  This  321-word inspirational picture book introduces a transcendent subject in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner. Angels surround you, love you unconditionally, and want you to be happy. Read from a loved one’s perspective, this manuscript explores scenarios in which it could be angels helping and creates an invitation for children to be aware of their presence.

Emily Rose is a little girl who loves to play next to the ravine near her home.  Today she hopes to find a frog or a salamander in the mud next to the water's edge.  When she reaches her favorite spot at the bottom of the steps, someone calls her name. It's Jesus!  He's been waiting there for her, and opens His arms wide in welcome.  Together they share a joyful, loving moment, in which Jesus shows Emily Rose a special gift.  He gives her a beautiful stone that has been created for her long before she was born. Jesus gives Emily Rose the joy of the wind, a breeze that rustles the trees and makes them clap their hands.  After He affirms His love for her, and Emily Rose accepts this most precious gift. He leaves her with the promise of His home in her heart. Emily Rose will never be the same!        

Enter into the honest conversation of an adopted child with his mother. He lost his first family and worries that he could lose this one too.  Is there something he could do or say, someplace he could run, some big feeling that he could feel that would cause him to lose this family, too? See how his mother patiently puts his fear at ease and assures him that this family will be together forever… no matter what!

Angus Daley, 12 going on 21, is a bit of a loner who has a quirky sense of humour and a loving and fun Mum and Dad. But other than his eccentric music teacher, Mr. Vaistas (who might be a 100 but probably isn’t), Angus has no real friends. Then he meets Sarah and her twin brother, Danny. Danny is confined to his wheelchair but bears no grudge towards his alcoholic dad, whose driving changed Danny’s life. What Danny most wants is for his dad to forgive himself and return home. Angus and Sarah know that God could work a miracle and cure Danny, but that is not the miracle Danny hopes for. His prayer is to have his dad back. On an adventure-filled holiday where Angus’s nosy disposition gets him into all sorts of bother, together the three children come up with an ingenious plan to reunite the family. Angus also finds out what happens when you kiss a dead person.

Eli Does His Best is a comical, adventurous ride with Eli, a dog with a lofty goal. Eli dreams of becoming the world’s highest jumper, but his failed attempts at clearing clotheslines have resulted in only muddy paw prints, an angry owner, and several furious neighbors. Eli is back on his dog run. How can he protect little Sarah now? On his way to Bark Buster’s Dog Training, Eli escapes. Undaunted, Eli jumps out of a moving car, gets covered in red paint, then splatters it all over his backyard. Just when things can’t seem to get any worse, Eli does the impossible for Sarah and discovers that doing your best always pays off. This is the first in a series of books designed for children to discover godly principles.

Princess Penelope and Prince Peter may seem like ordinary kids, but they are, in fact, extraordinary. They are siblings with creative imaginations who have figured out how to work through all that life throws their way.  They are prayer warriors! Penelope and Peter realize the power of prayer and do not want to keep this secret to themselves. They want to increase the number of prayer warriors out there! Anyone can join this group, but you have to earn your cape to become a true prayer warrior. Do you have worries, fears, or problems that you need help with? Here come the prayer warriors to your rescue! They can’t actually fly, but they like to wear capes and pretend they can fly. Their superpower is prayer. They think flying is super cool and all, but the coolest part about their superpower is they can teach ANYONE to be a prayer warrior and they want to share their powers with YOU!

Brief Description: Dear God, I’m Thankful for my Body is the working title for my picture book.   Meet Lucas, Mia, and Jamal, who are thankful God made their amazing bodies with a sense of balance, and Z-O-O-O-M with them around the world, and meet children of many cultures and skin colors. Each one is thankful for what their body can do.   This book focuses on diversity and lets children of many cultures and skin colors see themselves in a book. At the same time, it focuses on unity – God created each us as a unique member of the human family with an amazing body. Dear God, I’m Thankful for my Body helps expand the reader’s worldview.

I’d like to introduce you to The Little Blue Lamb by Wayne Maxwell, Jr. and Illustrated by me, Jane M McCabe. This charming children’s story naturally is about a blue lamb who wonders why she happened to born blue and finds acceptance from baby Jesus. It is for children from 4 to 6 years old. It was first published in 2005 by Pegasus Publications (i.e. M David Samples). Now I am seeking to have it republished with a traditional house. (Mr. Maxwell died twenty years ago and Mr. Samples about five years ago.) Copies of it have become scarcer than hen’s teeth—if you try to buy a copy through Amazon it will cost over $450. It took some doing for me to get permission to republish the book from Wayne’s family, but recently I have overcome that obstacle. I think The Little Blue Lamb is destined to become a children’s book classic and am confident that the republication of this book will be a good source of income for its publisher. If you would like to see the entire illustrated story, please visit my website: www.janemmccabe-mywork.squarespace.com

Blended: My Happily Ever After is a fictional book for children aged 7 to 12 that tells the story of a girl named Mia whose mom is remarrying after divorce from Mia’s dad.  Mia was very young when her parents divorced, and now as a seven-year-old, she tries to come to terms with her parents’ divorce as her mom prepares to remarry.  Blended: My Happily Ever After follows Mia’s journey from being an only child to sharing Mom with her step-dad and two step-siblings. Mia ultimately learns that while family isn’t exactly what she’s seen in the fairy tales, where there is love there is family, and love is everything she needs. Although there are other books on the market that deal with issues of divorce, remarriage, and/or diverse family makeup, these books are often in picture book format, aimed at preschool-age children, or are in the form of self-help workbook for parents.  Blended: My Happily Ever After is for those older school-aged children who will find that they have lots in common with Mia or her two older step-siblings.  Additionally, although Blended: My Happily Ever After delves into divorce, remarriage, and new siblings, future stories in the Blended series will focus on other social and family dynamics such as Mia’s life as part of an interracial family, and how Mia and her family work together to cope with mental illness affecting one of her step-siblings.  

Best Applesauce is a tender story of faith and forgiveness. Nijah, a bi-racial adoptee, loves her family, farm, and fall.  Life is good until she faces some careless words on her bus ride and a school project that stirs up confusion about where she belongs.  While making applesauce, Nijah’s grandma, Nana, draws her out of her isolation with the help of some gentle words and apple crisp.  In an almost parable fashion, Nana relays to Nijah how Nijah and her family are like their family orchard.  Each comes from a different type of tree.  Each has to overcome obstacles to become useful fruit.  Each one is made for a different purpose.  How can Nana’s wisdom … and applesauce ... help replace Nijah’s feelings of doubt and bitterness with ones of confidence and joy?

Mahalo Bear awakes, and as he tries to stretch his tiny arms above his head, he says, “Thank you!”  He then proceeds to say “Thank you!” repeatedly as funny, messy things happen to him all along the route he and his friend Doubtful Duck take to school that day.  When he arrives, he is covered in all the colors of the rainbow. They have been splattered all over him on his way to school, just in time to help him show and tell about the rainbow--all when he forgot he even had the assignment and thus had done nothing to prepare for it. So his messy adventures turn out to be a blessing in disguise, and Doubtful Duck’s questions are answered with a fun twist at the end in which she decides to try on an attitude of gratitude herself. 

"But ask the beasts and they will teach you, the birds of heaven and they will tell you, or the bushes of the earth and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of God has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of mankind." (Job 12:7-10) Has there ever been a more important time to learn to love nature and protect it? Has there been a time we’ve needed to see and know the goodness of God more? With the aim of bringing a new revelation of God to children, this full length poem views the Divine through a new lens. A treasure trove of images and sounds delight both listener and reader, while whimsical wordplay and juxtaposed animals and ecosystems kindle curiosity, awaken wonder, and fire the imagination. Written for children ages 5-12, this delightful journey of discovery explores the essence of God alive in the natural world.

Icthy is a sunfish who loves to spend time with her best friend, Lil, a water lily. But water lilies can’t be the beautiful flower that God intends them to be until they grow “above the surface.” That means a scary, sad separation for Icthy. Does she love her friend enough to let her grow? Find out in this parable that seeks to help children deal with the reality of separation.

Did you know that there’s approximately 4 million homeschoolers in America? That’s nearly 7% of all school-aged children. Take a look at the books out there for this market... there's not much. This children's book aims to show children normalcy in their lifestyle. One that's growing in popularity, especially amongst Christians.  Dennis’ First Day of School (at Home) follows the narrator his older sister Olive through their first day of homeschool. Olive has homeschooled for a few years at this point, but this is Dennis’ first day sitting at the school table (the kitchen table) with grade-level tasks. There’s gentle guidance, almost invisibly so, for new homeschool parents on what a “normal” school day might look like. The funny thing about being a new homeschooler means that parents and children learn together until they find a rhythm that best suits everyone. The plot weaves ideas of how a work-at-home parent can navigate around homeschool as well as introductory ideas about unit studies and morning baskets – a homeschool-specific idea. But most importantly, Dennis and his family normalize an increasingly growing educational choice. The characters were developed in a way that gives creative liberties to the publisher and illustrator to choose characters that are best suited for the market – these figures can either be animals or human.

(working title: Prayer Through Pictures: Helping Children of All Abilities Pray and Seek God) As parents, we do our best to train a child in the way they should go. We teach them manners, responsibility, and most importantly, we teach them about God. For most parents, we teach them by modeling and taking our children to church and Sunday School. We teach them to pray, by having them memorize the words to simple familiar prayers. Wouldn’t it be nice to help ensure that your child understands the meaning of those words they are saying to God? That’s what Prayer Through Pictures is designed to do.  As a special education teacher, and mother of two, Danielle McManus has worked to create a way to make prayer more accessible for children. Young children learn to attach meaning to words by labeling the pictures and visuals in the world around them. Activities in our Christian lives, like prayer, should be no exception.

THE DREAMSEEKER is a Middle-Grade Fantasy and Christian Allegory that follows 12-year-old Sophie Harker on her quest to save her kingdom and its beloved hero from an evil lord’s curse of forgetfulness. When her adoptive parents become affected and the rest of the kingdom’s children suddenly disappear, she has no choice but to leave the life she knew behind. With only a few clues to go on- including a cryptic message to seek her ‘true heart’s desire’, and a compelling dream-visit from a mysterious woman- she travels on foot by day and by dream at night. By trusting her intuition, along with the assistance of a magic pebble and a friend in a particularly high place, she might just break the curse, and discover her true home along the way.

Today is Redrick Raccoon’s birthday! As Redrick bustles about decorating his Berry Hollow home, he realizes something is missing. That missing something is a birthday cake. The raccoon finds his copy of the Berry Hollow Cookbook and bakes a delicious village favorite called Strawberry Happy Birthday Cake. As there is no more room on the kitchen table, Redrick opens a window and places the cake on the windowsill. Later when Redrick’s birthday party guests arrive, they discover the cake is gone! The friends encourage one another and follow the cake crumbs out the window and into the forest, where they make a delightful discovery. As the day wears on, the raccoon realizes the importance of friendship and that a cake isn’t necessary to celebrate one’s birthday. Afterward, when Redrick and his friends return home, Redrick receives a beautiful, delightful surprise from the townsfolk of Berry Hollow.

Josie learned all about hurricanes in the second grade, but that’s different than being in a hurricane. When the TV weather lady announces a hurricane is headed towards her home, Josie’s worry-words pour out. What if the house fills up with fish? What if all her toys blow away? Her Soft Dolly and Bobble-Head don’t even know how to swim! Josie’s family heads to Grandma’s for a hurricane party, and Josie likes the sound of the party, but is totally unprepared when the hurricane shows up too. Can Josie find the courage to trust God even when the lights go out? Can she put her fears aside to save her brother from the pounding storm?

“How To Fix a Broken Heart” is a 509 word picture book focused on the efforts of an eight year old girl to fix her broken heart. She has to wade through the advice of well-meaning friends to finally discover how to move forward through heartbreak. It also contains a 597 word journal at the back of the book for parents/guardians to use to guide a child through their own broken heart experience.

Christian parents hope that their children will develop a prayer life.  But, how can parents accomplish this goal? Hide-and-Seek-Prayers is a story for young children that models how to talk to God. Each night, Rosie tells God where she found him hiding in the day. No one can see God, of course. Rosie sees God in the fingerprints he leaves behind in the things he’s made:  in her cat, Louie, a bird, or a rainbow, etc. Rosie talks to God with a voice that stands up on the page in unforgettable and entertaining style. She even shows readers how to find God in the unexpected hailstones that ruin her favorite flowers: “I suppose I saw you, God, hiding in the hailstones, today. Looks like you emptied every drawer you had up there!” Hide-and-Seek-Prayers is a book that will establish for children the habit of looking for God’s fingerprints in their lives.  It is a book that parents will love to read to their children, and children will love to read for themselves.

When a young swimmer named Mabel asks a fish what it's like to always be wet, it set's off a fun, fast-paced chain of curious wonderment throughout the animal world.  A fish wonders what it's like to fly, a bird wonders what it's like to run fast, and a horse wonders what it's like to swing from a tree in the picture book, MY, OH MY, I WONDER WHY? As Mabel listens to all the animals, she begins to understand an even bigger wonder. This story is for children ages 4 to 8 and is told in 460 words. MY, OH MY, I WONDER WHY? shines with zany rhymes and with hope and affirmation like the successful picture book, WHEREVER YOU GO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW by Melissa B. Kruger and Isabel Lundie, The Good Book Company, August 22.  It explores a riddle like in Roman Yasiejko's WHO IS IT, WHOODINI, Yeehoo Press, 2022.  But what sets my heart-warming book apart is how by embracing our unique gifts, talents, and worth, we can soar and swing with zest and zing with all the creatures of the sky, sea, and earth in a chorus of shared praise and purpose!

A spirited dog with big dreams leaves havoc in his path, but his love for a little girl inspires him to do the impossible. ELI DOES HIS BEST is for readers of Kobi Yamada’s WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A CHANCE and Karen H. Kerstein’s ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOODNIGHT.

A troublesome kindergartener. A troublesome disciple. A kind and patient teacher who knows the answer for one is the answer for both. Young James does not want to be in Kindergarten. He’d rather be at home with his grandpa Jesse. He tries everything to get kicked out. Any instruction given from his teacher, he does the opposite, whether it’s in the classroom or on the playground. He likes to sing his ZYXs and stand on the swings.  But are his tactics enough to send him home to his grandpa? Or does Ms. Hemsworth's tolerance outweigh his trickery? How will these two interact on the first day of Kindergarten? How will Ms. Hemsworth react to his poor attitude and outbursts? Follow along as Ms. Hemsworth helps young James overcome his difficult day, both mentally and physically, by telling him about a disciple similar in nature and how his leader helped him find peace during difficult times.

‘The Big Change’ is a story of two caterpillar best friends. It’s the day of the bug village running race, and both caterpillars are ready to go! That’s until one of the caterpillars starts to change, and the two best friends start on a journey to understand what is happening. Death is the big change we all must face. ‘The Big Change’ provides a Christian metaphor for families to sensitively discuss death. It is aimed at preschool-Kindergarten (2-5 years) aged children, who are facing death themselves, or they may know someone facing it.   In 2022, more than 3.2 million persons died in the United States. Talking about death, or the big change, is difficult. The way people approach this topic will be different for many reasons, including age, where we come from, whether we are sick, and what support we have around us. Therefore, this book deliberately uses pictures and simple language as this format may be understood by people from a range of backgrounds and situations. The death-related themes that may come up through this story include shock, sadness, acceptance in faith, companionship, grief, and the Christian hope of new life in heaven.

We, like many parents, include a prayer as part of our bedtime routine with our toddler, yet there aren’t any prayer books that target young boys with exciting topics like trucks. However, many secular bedtime books do such as Sheri Rinker’s bestselling Good Night, Good Night Construction Site. Ladder Learns to Pray and Other Emergency Vehicle Prayers is a series of 6 board books targeted at young boys. Each book is one prayer, 6 spreads in length, which focuses on an emergency worker and its corresponding emergency vehicle. The relationship between the emergency worker and its vehicle mimics a father (the worker) putting his son (the vehicle) to sleep at night and teaching him to pray. There is also a prayer focus for each book, e.g., Ladder Learns to Pray focuses on bravery and sacrifice and Cruiser Learns to Pray focuses on wisdom, justice, and grace. Because children learn by repetition, the first, second and last stanza of each book is the same; this also gives the child a structure to create his own prayers. Additionally, each book has “What does this mean to me?” call-outs to help parents discuss big concepts with their child at an age-appropriate level.

A delightful rhyming story of a little caterpillar struggling with his heart's ambition to fly, stymied by the limitations he sees in his caterpillar self. He "tries on" some alternate identities, with utter failure, and then concedes to allow God's intentions for him to unfold.

Kairu's Scary Adventure is about a young calf named Kairu who lives in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. He is free-spirited which often gets him and his three friends in trouble. Kairu isn't always willing to follow rules and finds himself deep in danger. Through an especially dangerous encounter with lions, Kairu learns the value of rules. Sometimes they are there for his protection. The picture book isn't overtly Christian but there is a reflection page at the end of the book. The book itself is 977 words and the reflection page is 264 words. The reflection page discusses the value in following rules and obeying those in authority, especially parents. It is supported by scripture, as well. The reader will also learn about elephants and their habitat.