Perfect Father's Day gifts for the Dads and Grandfathers in your life!
Since The Baby CameA book for a family expecting a new baby, or a family with a new baby. Both parents are very active participants in the entire story!
Daddy, Tell Me a Story
Celebrate the special bond between fathers and daughters with this silly picture book about a bedtime story gone awry.
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 April is National Poetry Month, one of my favorite months. I love reading and writing poetry (and, it is the month of our daughter's birthday). In celebration of the month, WaterBrook & Multnomah, a division of Penguin Random House and publisher of Since the Baby Came: A Sibling's Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems, has been highlighting excerpts from my book. I hope you've seen them on social media. Feel free to share them with your friends! I've loved watching my infant grandson, Camden, grow and change quickly in the two months since we welcomed him into the world. As I gaze into his precious face, some of the poems from my book come to mind. I find myself quoting my own poems as I gaze into his beautiful face, and I decided to share a few. Enjoy! I'd love to hear which poems in the book are your favorite and if there is a baby in your life that brings these poems to mind for you. And if you enjoy my newsletters, please encourage a friend to sign up. "I Wonder What the Baby Dreams" I wonder what the baby dreams, When finally, he falls asleep; And silence takes the place of screams. I wonder what the baby dreams. He is content, or so he seems, All hushed, and not a single peep! I wonder what the baby dreams When finally, he falls asleep. Poem type: Triolet A triolet has 8 lines. Line one repeats as lines 4 and 7. Line 2 repeats as line 8 "Did You See?" Oh! Did you see? He smiled - at me! Poem type: Couplet A couplet is a two-line poem that rhymes Since The Baby Came Family Activity Pack I am pleased to announce that my publisher, WaterBrook & Multnomah, has updated the Family Activity Pack for Since The Baby Came. The Activity pack is free and downloads instantly.    Celebrating!In November, I signed a contract with HarperCollins Tommy Nelson for a lift-the-flap board book, See What God Made! Lift-the-Flap: Creation. It is my first lift-the-flap book, and 58th book overall. In joyful rhyme, children what God made on each day of creation, and how God asks us to take care of this precious earth. I'm thrilled to work with this wonderful publisher and look forward to seeing the book take shape. Release date is Spring 2026. What joy! |
 Xochitl Dixon describes herself as "a disabled, Mexican Christian author, speaker, wife, mom, and grandma, who loves Jesus and people. She celebrates diversity, advocating for inclusion and disability awareness with her service dog, Callie." I love following Callie on Instagram! Her latest children's book, Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown, is "A joyously affirming rhyming picture book that follows a young boy on an adventure to find and celebrate allshades of brown—including you and me!" As with all the authors I'm highlighting, you can read their author pages to learn more about other fabulous books available. |  Laura Alary is the author of many children's books, including a series known as the "Circle of Wonder: Liturgical Year Resource Set." The newest book in the series, Rise: A Child's Guide to Eastertide, focuses on a much neglected season of the church year. Eastertide, the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost, a time of new life and renewal. In the book, the reader follows a young girl as "she shares in family and community celebrations, hears stories of the Risen Jesus, notices how the world around her is coming alive again, and ponders how growth and new beginnings are part of her own life." |
Roger Hutchison's new book, The Gift of Baptism is a lovely book, written in Roger's trademark lyrical and gentle prose:
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's beloved son.
Born under the watchful gaze of silent animals and held tightly in his mother's arms.
Come to earth to teach God's message of love and joy.
Beautifully illustrated by Clare Westwood, this book is perfect for those learning about baptism, the newly baptized, parents, teachers, pastors, and all who seek to share God's love through the sacraments.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's beloved son.
Born under the watchful gaze of silent animals and held tightly in his mother's arms.
Come to earth to teach God's message of love and joy.
Beautifully illustrated by Clare Westwood, this book is perfect for those learning about baptism, the newly baptized, parents, teachers, pastors, and all who seek to share God's love through the sacraments.
 Valerie Ellis, an author at Our Everyday Parables as well as an author of several children's books, will be bringing her newest board book into the world in a book published by Tyndale House, Let's Go! Bible Adventures; Real Bible Stories for Kids Who Love Trains, Tractors, Ice Cream, and More! That's an eye-catching title for this marvelous, rhyming storybook that tells real Bible stories and contrasts Bible-times transportation with modern-day vehicles. Trucks, trains, tractors, as well as bulldozers, boats, hot-air balloons, motorcycles--and of course ice cream trucks--will capture the attention of children ages two to five. Side note: My very first books were published by Tyndale House, after over four years of submitting manuscripts and received 250 rejections, so this publisher has a special place in my heart! |  Laura Sassi has a marvelous series, My Tender Heart, which includes My Tender Heart Bible, My Tender Heart Prayers, and the newest one, My Tender Heart Devotions, published in October. The book includes 52 devotions with Bible verses and rhymes. I think it makes a wonderful book of devotions for adults, too! And this month, Laura's newest book, Faithful Feet, made its debut. "In this lighthearted tour through the Bible, readers will be introduced to the silly feet of beloved Bible characters, from Noah’s hairy feet that helped him build the ark, to David’s brave feet as he stood in front of the giant Goliath, to the joyful feet of the women who spread the news of Christ’s Resurrection." I love how clever this concept is, and glad my feet aren't included in the lineup! |
 Eric and Meredith Schrotenboer are a husband and wife team who create delightful books that "help children and families learn more about the cultural, historical, and geographical context of the Bible" and "make the Biblical stories come alive in new and powerful ways." Their latest offering, found on their website at Fresh Wind Studios, is Goodnight Noah, Goodnight Ark shows the animals on the Ark going through their bedtime routines. The illustrations convey the joy of the rhyming text on this "floating zoo." |  Glenys Nellist has a lovely new book, God's Perfect Peace, which will be released February 1. This the first in a new series with Paraclete Press called "Bedtime Blessings. “Based on 2 Thessalonians 3:16, this charming book in Gleny's lovely prose invites parents, grandparents, and other loved ones to speak words of blessing over their little ones at bedtime, wrapping them in the sure knowledge and reassurance of God’s perfect peace before they go to sleep." |
*Note to my readers: This month my time has been consumed by the fires in southern California, which caused the evacuations of all of my children. Everyone is home now except for a son and wife who have to detoxify their home before returning. I've been distracted and busy with this unexpected and horrific disaster, so I confess to using descriptions of some of these books from Amazon, which often uses the descriptions from the publishers' websites.
Let me know which books intrigue you the most!
CHRISTMAS 2024
The above photo is all of my family gathered on Christmas morning. I am so grateful that we were all together, dogs included, of course!
I thought 2025 would be a year of new beginnings, as we welcome our first grandson into the world. I thought it would be a time of family gatherings at our children's homes, about 90 minutes north of us. I thought, "This will be a great year!"
And then the fires came.
On Tuesday night, January 7, firestorms blazed across southern California, fueled by drought and high-powered winds. All of our children had to evacuate their homes. We stayed up all night watching the flames move closer to our son and wife's home in Pasadena. They live in the midst of a charming neighborhood known for Christmas decorations. People come from miles around to walk the streets and admire the festive displays. We walked those sidewalks on December 14, after a baby shower for our grandson, arriving mid-February.
Many of those homes are gone, much of that charming neighborhood destroyed by fires.
Our son and wife's home survived, but they cannot yet return until the house is cleared of toxins and it's safe to go back. Whether or not the air will be safe for a newborn, who knows? It's a frightening time.
In the midst of the horror, we are grateful. Grateful that all of our family escaped and survived. Grateful that there were family homes for them to escape to. Grateful that a home is still standing. But in the midst of our gratitude, we grieve for all those who lost their lives, their homes, their neighborhoods, those who had no safe place to go.
I am trying to follow the advice of Mr. Rogers who said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
I am looking for the helpers. And I am finding them everywhere.
I find the helpers in all those who have reached out to us.
I find the helpers in those who donate to organizations committed to helping.
I find the helpers in neighbors and local friends who have offered food, doggie care, whatever we need.
I find the helpers in a young man from the church we served in Wildwood. He is a firefighter in Montana, who travels around the world during the off-season to work in food kitchens and do whatever he can to help, including gathering funds and supplies to buy food and drinks for the firefighters, and delivering these items in the middle of the night when exhaustion is extreme.
I find the helpers in those who pray.
Let's keep looking for the helpers. Let's be the helpers. Let's grieve with those who grieve and not dismiss their grief.
Look for the helpers. Be one of the helpers. And feel free to share on my post how you are being a helper. I'd appreciate if you leave comments on this post so we can all help one another.
The helpers bring us hope in a time when the world seems dark and despairing.
Below are links to ways that you can help reach out and help. In the meantime, let us all be kind to one another.
Bless you, my friends.
I thought 2025 would be a year of new beginnings, as we welcome our first grandson into the world. I thought it would be a time of family gatherings at our children's homes, about 90 minutes north of us. I thought, "This will be a great year!"
And then the fires came.
On Tuesday night, January 7, firestorms blazed across southern California, fueled by drought and high-powered winds. All of our children had to evacuate their homes. We stayed up all night watching the flames move closer to our son and wife's home in Pasadena. They live in the midst of a charming neighborhood known for Christmas decorations. People come from miles around to walk the streets and admire the festive displays. We walked those sidewalks on December 14, after a baby shower for our grandson, arriving mid-February.
Many of those homes are gone, much of that charming neighborhood destroyed by fires.
Our son and wife's home survived, but they cannot yet return until the house is cleared of toxins and it's safe to go back. Whether or not the air will be safe for a newborn, who knows? It's a frightening time.
In the midst of the horror, we are grateful. Grateful that all of our family escaped and survived. Grateful that there were family homes for them to escape to. Grateful that a home is still standing. But in the midst of our gratitude, we grieve for all those who lost their lives, their homes, their neighborhoods, those who had no safe place to go.
I am trying to follow the advice of Mr. Rogers who said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
I am looking for the helpers. And I am finding them everywhere.
I find the helpers in all those who have reached out to us.
I find the helpers in those who donate to organizations committed to helping.
I find the helpers in neighbors and local friends who have offered food, doggie care, whatever we need.
I find the helpers in a young man from the church we served in Wildwood. He is a firefighter in Montana, who travels around the world during the off-season to work in food kitchens and do whatever he can to help, including gathering funds and supplies to buy food and drinks for the firefighters, and delivering these items in the middle of the night when exhaustion is extreme.
I find the helpers in those who pray.
Let's keep looking for the helpers. Let's be the helpers. Let's grieve with those who grieve and not dismiss their grief.
Look for the helpers. Be one of the helpers. And feel free to share on my post how you are being a helper. I'd appreciate if you leave comments on this post so we can all help one another.
The helpers bring us hope in a time when the world seems dark and despairing.
Below are links to ways that you can help reach out and help. In the meantime, let us all be kind to one another.
Bless you, my friends.
The following helpful information is from a friend:
Direct Relief: A Southern California-based relief organization that does disaster relief work all around the world and is providing support in LA too. Information about their services and donations can be found at Direct Relief.
American Red Cross: On the ground support to Southern California residents helping to
provide safe shelter, food, emotional support, and health services. To contribute,
go to Red Cross.
Salvation Army – Southern California Division: Operates a disaster services fund that supports evacuees and first responders of California wildfires. Donations are being accepted online at Salvation Army - Southern California Division.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Provides equipment for firefighters and funds critical programs to help the Los Angeles Fire Department protect communities and save lives. Donations to the foundation can be made online at the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
California Fire Foundation: Works with local fire agencies and community-based organizations to provide ongoing support to California communities affected by wildfires and other natural disasters. The foundation is taking donations online at California Fire Foundation.
On November 1, I turned 70 years old. Seventy! Some milestones hit harder than others, but I've decided to look on the bright side of this milestone.
First, I made it! I have many friends over the years who did not. I will not complain. I'm creaky, my joints get stiffer every day, but my life is full of loving friends and family (pictured above). Life is good! How many people get to live two hours away from all of their family, who also love and enjoy one another?
On November 7, I signed a contract for a new book, my first Lift-the-Flap! This is book #58. Even though more time passes between contracts these days, I'm still writing, and getting manuscripts accepted. There may be a few more in the coming months, but I'll reveal that when the time comes.
Greg and I have served in four loving and amazing churches: Harrisburg, PA; Washington, PA; Wildwood, IL; and now Carlsbad, CA. I retired before we moved here ten years ago, but the people treat me with love and respect and know that "she is a pastor, too, and a published book author!" We have only, and ever been, fully embraced by our congregations, some who saw us through very difficult times. "We are the body of Christ, and individually members of that body." We believe that all are welcome in Christ's church, welcomed and loved beyond measure.
I am richly blessed.
Kathy
First, I made it! I have many friends over the years who did not. I will not complain. I'm creaky, my joints get stiffer every day, but my life is full of loving friends and family (pictured above). Life is good! How many people get to live two hours away from all of their family, who also love and enjoy one another?
On November 7, I signed a contract for a new book, my first Lift-the-Flap! This is book #58. Even though more time passes between contracts these days, I'm still writing, and getting manuscripts accepted. There may be a few more in the coming months, but I'll reveal that when the time comes.
Greg and I have served in four loving and amazing churches: Harrisburg, PA; Washington, PA; Wildwood, IL; and now Carlsbad, CA. I retired before we moved here ten years ago, but the people treat me with love and respect and know that "she is a pastor, too, and a published book author!" We have only, and ever been, fully embraced by our congregations, some who saw us through very difficult times. "We are the body of Christ, and individually members of that body." We believe that all are welcome in Christ's church, welcomed and loved beyond measure.
I am richly blessed.
Kathy
I would love to hear your story about a milestone birthday and why it was especially meaningful to you. Please share in the comments section. I read and cherish every response.
I am terrified of heights...
I am often reluctant to try something new, being very comfortable in my daily routines.
Surprisingly I am the person in the photo paragliding above the Pacific Ocean (with my pilot, of course).
I loved it, except for the one swoop that left me feeling like I'd just been in a falling elevator.
The view from above the ocean and beach is incredible. It is the view of a bird, soaring free on the currents. We saw sharks and sea lions, schools of fish and bathers on the beach. It was quiet, peaceful, amazing.
Greg wanted to go paragliding for his birthday last week, and so we went. I stepped completely out of my comfort zone and off the edge of the cliff, and I'm glad I did! I saw the world I often see but with new eyes.
I recently stepped out of my comfort zone to take a break from social media, a scary thing to do when I hear so much about how an author has to be posting constantly in order to build a following. I gave my small following a break, too.
I had time to think about my skills and where to best spend my energies. I will be returning to social media soon, but with a clearer view of what I need to do, and what I can do, without taking precious time from my writing, my family, my puppy, my life.
What have you done lately to step out of your comfort zone? Leave a comment below and let me know! I'm eager to hear from you.
Paragliding, anyone?
Surprisingly I am the person in the photo paragliding above the Pacific Ocean (with my pilot, of course).
I loved it, except for the one swoop that left me feeling like I'd just been in a falling elevator.
The view from above the ocean and beach is incredible. It is the view of a bird, soaring free on the currents. We saw sharks and sea lions, schools of fish and bathers on the beach. It was quiet, peaceful, amazing.
Greg wanted to go paragliding for his birthday last week, and so we went. I stepped completely out of my comfort zone and off the edge of the cliff, and I'm glad I did! I saw the world I often see but with new eyes.
I recently stepped out of my comfort zone to take a break from social media, a scary thing to do when I hear so much about how an author has to be posting constantly in order to build a following. I gave my small following a break, too.
I had time to think about my skills and where to best spend my energies. I will be returning to social media soon, but with a clearer view of what I need to do, and what I can do, without taking precious time from my writing, my family, my puppy, my life.
What have you done lately to step out of your comfort zone? Leave a comment below and let me know! I'm eager to hear from you.
Paragliding, anyone?
I'm going into self-imposed hibernation this month in order to focus on my mental, physical, and spiritual health and on my writing. I'll be back in September with posts, newsletter and more, including some good news on the writing front. Happy summer, everyone!
International Day of Friendship
I had never heard of the International Day of Friendship until the publication of my children's book, Will You Be Friends with Me? four years ago. Enjoy these fun facts, share with your friends, and above all, be a friend to others, even those with whom you disagree.
The United Nations declared July 30 as International Day of Friendship in 2011 as a way to promote peace and promise rather than division and destruction between peoples of all cultures. Friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
July 30 is the official day, but every day can be a Day of Friendship. To celebrate International Day of Friendship, I am donating Will You Be Friends with Me? to a wonderful, local afterschool tutoring program called Casa de Amistad in your honor.
Let's all enjoy being a good friend on International Day of Friendship, and every day. I'd love to hear of new and interesting friendships you make along the way!
I had never heard of the International Day of Friendship until the publication of my children's book, Will You Be Friends with Me? four years ago. Enjoy these fun facts, share with your friends, and above all, be a friend to others, even those with whom you disagree.
The United Nations declared July 30 as International Day of Friendship in 2011 as a way to promote peace and promise rather than division and destruction between peoples of all cultures. Friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
July 30 is the official day, but every day can be a Day of Friendship. To celebrate International Day of Friendship, I am donating Will You Be Friends with Me? to a wonderful, local afterschool tutoring program called Casa de Amistad in your honor.
Let's all enjoy being a good friend on International Day of Friendship, and every day. I'd love to hear of new and interesting friendships you make along the way!
A few of my favorite Bible verses on friendship:
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9, MSG)
I have called you friends. (John 15:15, NRSVU)
Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
(I Thessalonians 5:11, NRSVU)
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9, MSG)
I have called you friends. (John 15:15, NRSVU)
Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
(I Thessalonians 5:11, NRSVU)
This post was previously published, but relevant still!
The "Flag-United-Nations-Logo" above is by Prachatai is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The "Flag-United-Nations-Logo" above is by Prachatai is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
What a fabulous experience!
This past weekend I attended the American Library Association Conference at the San Diego Convention Center, overlooking the gorgeous southern California bay. It was wonderful to see good friends and meet so many people at the book signing for The Worst Christmas Ever.
Author Dave Eggers received the Newbery Award for The Eyes & The Impossible; an imaginative fantasy about a dog, friendship, and liberation. Author Vashti Harrison received the Caldecott Award for BIG; A picture book about the power of words to both build up a person and to bring them down.
The ceremony also honored my fellow San Diego author Pam Muñoz Ryan with the Children's Literature Legacy Award. Pam has written many books; my favorite is Echo about a young boy lost in the Black Forest who finds himself in a puzzling quest involving prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. I loved my harmonica when I was growing up and now my oldest son, Chris, owns it. Echo is a Newbery Honor Award winner.
I have a special place in my heart for librarians and the great work they do getting books into the hands of children and adults, and standing up against banning books, too.
Author Dave Eggers received the Newbery Award for The Eyes & The Impossible; an imaginative fantasy about a dog, friendship, and liberation. Author Vashti Harrison received the Caldecott Award for BIG; A picture book about the power of words to both build up a person and to bring them down.
The ceremony also honored my fellow San Diego author Pam Muñoz Ryan with the Children's Literature Legacy Award. Pam has written many books; my favorite is Echo about a young boy lost in the Black Forest who finds himself in a puzzling quest involving prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. I loved my harmonica when I was growing up and now my oldest son, Chris, owns it. Echo is a Newbery Honor Award winner.
I have a special place in my heart for librarians and the great work they do getting books into the hands of children and adults, and standing up against banning books, too.
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Newbery Awards
The Newbery Award is given each year for the book chosen as the best middle-grade book from the previous year. I only learned as an adult that many of the books I loved as a child were Newbery Award winners. When I first began writing books for children in the early 1990's, I decided to learn about all the authors. I was curious about their lives and creative process. I met and interviewed many of the winners, and wrote a book about the first 75 Newbery award winners: Winning Authors Profiles of the Newbery Medalists. I made it a goal to own every Newbery book ever written, and have kept up with buying and reading the winner each year. I haven't been able to attend the ALA conference or awards ceremony since moving to California, so it was extra special it to be there this year.
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I'd love to hear what your favorite books from childhood. Comment below!
European Adventures!
I just returned from a delightful trip to Amsterdam and Paris with my wonderful husband, Greg. Spring is such a gorgeous time of year, although we had rain nearly every day. That didn't stop us from walking many miles each day and enjoying every minute. The flowers were stunning and the food superb. We made sure to stop in the local book stores, both those with books in English and those only in Dutch or French. It's fun to see what various cultures enjoy reading!
Highlights of the trip included two canal boat rides in Amsterdam, one in the afternoon and one in the evening; The Van Gogh museum, also in Amsterdam; Monet's home in Giverny, Notre Dame Cathedral (still not open) and an amazing flower market in Paris with my favorite flowers in abundance: the hydrangeas, or Hortense in French. The local boulangerie (bakery) near our place in Paris was out of this world. We miss stopping there for freshly baked fruit tarts and chocolate croissants!
Highlights of the trip included two canal boat rides in Amsterdam, one in the afternoon and one in the evening; The Van Gogh museum, also in Amsterdam; Monet's home in Giverny, Notre Dame Cathedral (still not open) and an amazing flower market in Paris with my favorite flowers in abundance: the hydrangeas, or Hortense in French. The local boulangerie (bakery) near our place in Paris was out of this world. We miss stopping there for freshly baked fruit tarts and chocolate croissants!
Remember when your parent read to you?
This Father's Day recreate that experience for your child.
Awards
2013
Distinguished Alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary
2014
David Steele
Distinguished Writer
The most prestigious award given by the Presbyterian Writers Guild
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