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BookWorthy
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Send us a text In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie Fentress interviews award-winning author Donna Wyland about her latest children's book, 'Twas the Night Before Jesus.' They discuss the importance of Christmas traditions, the deeper message of the book, and Donna's journey as a writer. The conversation also touches on impactful books, the authenticity in storytelling, and Donna's podcast, Free To Be, which encourages women to live abundantly. Donna shares insights on her upcoming pr...
Send us a text 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 projects and favorite children's books. Don't forget to join in...
Send us a text 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 conversation also touches on Heather's future projects and her passion f...
Send us a text 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 conversation also touches on the role of literature in healing and the author's...
Send us a text 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 influential books that shaped his writing and reveals what’s next for his care...
Send us a text 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 on her writing. Amanda also opens up about the challenges of balanc...
Send us a text 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 projects and future aspirations, emphasizing the importance of creativi...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie Fentress engages with author David Lahm and illustrator Lael Brinkley about their children's book 'In the Beginning, God Smiled.' The conversation explores the themes of faith and science, the artistic representation of God, and the messages intended for both children and parents. David shares his inspiration for writing the book, while Lael discusses her approach to illustrating God's character. They also reflect on impactful books i...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie talks with author Tenille Marie about her middle-grade sci-fi adventure, 'So My Mom's From Outer Space.' They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the relatable characters, the importance of blended families in literature, and Tenille's writing journey. The conversation also touches on favorite books and their impact, as well as what Tenille has planned for the future. Author website for Tennille | Official website of Tennille Mar...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews author Kevin William Rascoe about his middle grade series, The Unusual Life of David Snot. The conversation explores the themes of bullying, personal experiences, and the importance of instilling values in children through storytelling. Kevin shares his journey as an author, the inspiration behind his books, and his hopes for future projects, including a potential TV series adaptation. Don't forget to join in the 2nd Annua...
Send us a text In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews author April Graney about her latest book, 'If Jesus Came to My School.' The conversation explores the themes of kindness, support in public schools, and the importance of instilling values in children. April shares her experiences as a middle school teacher and her journey as a writer, emphasizing the impact of literature on young minds. The discussion also touches on favorite books and resources for parents navigating the cha...
Send us a text In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie speaks with Leah Boden, an author dedicated to empowering women and children through literature. Leah discusses her latest book series, 'The Tales of Boldness and Faith,' which features fictionalized biographies of notable figures like Charlotte Mason, C.S. Lewis, and Sarah Forbes Bonetta. The conversation explores themes of displacement, redemption, and the importance of relationships in shaping identity. Leah shares her journ...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews author Karen Whiting, who shares her passion for helping families grow in faith through service. Karen discusses her 52-week devotional series designed for families, emphasizing hands-on activities and engaging discussions that cater to children of various ages. She reflects on the lasting impact of family devotions, the challenges faced in maintaining them, and the importance of making faith a priority in the home. Karen also s...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews YA author Lindsay Llewellyn about her latest book, The Cryer Stone, the sequel to The Chaos Grid. They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the character development, and the themes of adventure and forgiveness. Lindsay shares her journey as a writer, her experiences with dyslexia, and how she incorporates Christian elements into her fiction. The conversation also touches on the importance of engaging reluctant readers and ...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews author Carol Baldwin about her young adult novel, Half Truths, which explores themes of social injustice and identity through the eyes of a 15-year-old girl in the 1950s South. Carol shares her writing journey, the inspiration behind her characters, and the importance of truth in family dynamics. The conversation delves into the historical context of the story, the writing process, and the hope for more conversations about race ...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews children's author Laura Sasse about her latest picture book, 'Faithful Feet.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind the book, the importance of rhyme in children's literature, and the lessons children can learn about faith and God's love. Laura shares her writing process, how she connects with kids during school visits, and her journey as an author. The episode concludes with a sneak peek into Laura's upcoming project...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Rebecca Galeskas about her picture book, 'Little Lion Puts on the Armor of God.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind the book, the deeper meanings of scripture, and the importance of conveying faith-based messages to children. Rebecca shares her journey as a writer, her literary influences, and what readers can expect next from her work. Takeaways The book was inspired by Rebecca's son, Judah. Rebecca emphasiz...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews YA fantasy author Katherine Briggs, who discusses her journey as a writer, the inspiration behind her books, and the themes explored in her duology, The Eternity Gate and The Immortal Abyss. Katherine shares insights on world-building, character development, and the importance of small actions in making a difference. The conversation also touches on the exploration of faith in her stories and her future writing projects. Takeawa...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews fantasy author Bryan Davis about his latest series, Dragons of Camelot. They discuss the evolution of his storytelling, the importance of faith in his works, and how fantasy literature resonates with young readers. Brian shares insights into his writing journey, the influence of King Arthur on his stories, and the significance of prayer in the lives of young people. He also reflects on the impactful books that have shaped his pe...
Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie speaks with author Maria Antonia about her new children's book, 'Barnaby the Runaway Sheep.' They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the writing process, and the important lessons for children about trust and guidance from their 'shepherds' in life. Maria shares her experiences growing up and how they influenced her storytelling, as well as her future writing projects. Takeaways Summer was a time for reading and family visits....























