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Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?
The BookWorthy Podcast is your weekly guide to help Christian parents cut through the noise and find books that actually matter. Each week, award-winning children's author Valerie Fentress chats with authors about stories that help kids process big feelings, grow in faith, and see God’s goodness in everyday life.
Think of it as your trusted book buddy for raising readers who love Jesus.
Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog
131 Episodes
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Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Kat Cronenberg, author of the 'Live Big' series. They discuss the inspiration behind Kat's books, her writing journey, and the importance of teaching children life skills through storytelling. Kat shares her experiences with animals and nature, and how these elements influence her work. The conversation highlights the impact of books on children's lives and the ...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie speaks with children's author Jennifer Jahn about her debut picture book, 'God's Wonderful Wide World.' They discuss the themes of God's creation, individuality, and the importance of teaching children about their uniqueness and God's love. Jennifer shares her writing journey, the publishing process, and her inspirations, including her favorite books and authors. The ...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews author Lara d'Entremont about her YA fantasy novel, The Painted Fairy Tale. The story follows 17-year-old Wren, who discovers her paintings can open portals to other worlds, leading her on an adventurous journey. Lara shares her inspiration, writing journey, and the message she hopes young readers take away from her book. The Painted Fairytale Book (affilia...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie speaks with author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young about her journey as a children's book author, focusing on her latest work, 'Kailani's Gift.' They discuss themes of perseverance, family, and cultural diversity in literature, and the importance of storytelling in teaching children values. Dorina shares her experiences in writing and her passion for promoting multicultura...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews Mark Wainwright, an author and editor with over 18 years of experience in Christian publishing. They discuss Mark's latest book, "Awesome Facts About Space," which combines science and faith to engage young readers. The conversation covers fascinating space facts, the integration of faith and science, and Mark's personal writing journey. Mark Wainwright | Y...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this Bonus episode of Bookworthy, hosts Valerie, Shaun Stevenson, and Brock Eastman discuss the Parable Port series, a middle-grade book that brings biblical parables to life through engaging storytelling. They explore the creative process behind the book, the importance of collaboration, and the relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The authors share their journey of writing together, their...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews children's author Bonnie S. Weinhardt about her Bingees series, which follows the adventures of an 11-year-old boy named Benji in the 1930s. They discuss the inspiration behind the series, the character of Benjy, and the themes of humor, faith, and decision-making in the stories. Bonnie shares her journey as a writer, the influence of her journalism ...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Kayla E. Green, an award-winning YA fantasy author who has ventured into children's literature with her picture book 'Hadley the Hippo.' They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of conversations about what children consume, both in terms of food and media, and Kayla's journey as a writer and teacher. Kayla shares her favorite books and their ...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews award-winning author Sarah Philpott, who shares her journey from writing devotionals to creating children's books. They discuss Sarah's latest book, 'Wake Up, Little Seed,' which connects children with the growth process in nature while emphasizing God's role in it. The conversation also explores the creative process behind children's literature, the impact of t...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie speaks with children's author Kathleen about her journey as a writer and the themes of her latest book, 'Our Hearts.' Kathleen shares insights on the importance of emotional development in children, the role of children's literature in addressing complex feelings, and her personal experiences that inspired her writing. The conversation also touches on the challenges o...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews cycling legend John Howard, who discusses his latest book, The Black Cyclone, which tells the story of Major Taylor, the first acclaimed African-American sports hero. Howard shares insights into the extensive research he conducted to bring Taylor's story to life, the challenges Taylor faced in a racially charged environment, and the lessons young readers can le...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie Ellis discusses her latest book, 'Wild Faith Devotions for Kids,' which explores the connection between animal traits and Christian teachings. Valerie shares her journey as a writer, the research involved in selecting animals for the book, and the importance of fostering wonder in children. She also reflects on her writing process and future projects, emphasizing the role ...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews Nell Branum, a former elementary school librarian and author of the 'Heroes on the Home Front' series. They discuss Nell's inspiration for her books, which blend contemporary mysteries with historical elements from World War II, focusing on the stories of women who contributed to the war effort. The conversation explores the importance of intergenera...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie Fentress interviews award-winning author Donna Wyland about her latest children's book, 'Twas the Night Before Jesus.' They discuss the importance of Christmas traditions, the deeper message of the book, and Donna's journey as a writer. The conversation also touches on impactful books, the authenticity in storytelling, and Donna's podcast, Free To Be, which encourage...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie Fentress interviews author Brock Eastman about his latest Christmas book, 'Saint Nicking at Night.' They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of giving and community, and Brock's personal writing journey. The conversation highlights the significance of teaching children about generosity and the true spirit of Christmas, as well as Brock's future pro...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews author Heather Holleman about her Elita Brown series, which addresses the challenges of middle school, including popularity, social media, and the quest for belonging. Heather shares her inspiration for writing the series, the theological insights woven throughout the books, and the importance of intergenerational wisdom in navigating these challenges. The conv...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Soaring Eagle (a preferred alias), the author of a children's picture book that explores themes of trauma, identity, and self-discovery through the story of a young eagle raised in a chicken coop. Soaring Eagle shares insights about complex trauma, the importance of recognizing one's true identity, and the power of choice in overcoming adversity. The conversatio...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews middle-grade author and illustrator Rob Baddorf, who shares insights into his writing journey, the inspiration behind his 'Recruited by the FBI' series, and the unique blend of faith and adventure in his stories. Rob discusses the importance of serialized fiction for engaging young readers and his experiences as an illustrator. He also reflects on the influentia...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews Amanda Trumpower, a middle-grade author known for her engaging Christian adventures for kids. Amanda shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and the creation of her book series, including the Collar Cases and Power Pup. She discusses her goals for her readers, her experiences as a librarian, and the influence of authors like Agatha Christie...
Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews author and writing instructor Hannah Fouts about her short story, The Sisters of Starford Point, featured in the Author Conservatory's anthology. They discuss Hannah's writing journey, the inspiration behind her story, the themes of sisterhood and responsibility, and the unique educational experience at the Author Conservatory. Hannah shares her current pro...
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