An Opportunity to Help

I was keenly aware that it was not something a fourth grader should be doing in front of my classmates, but I sat there with tears rolling down my cheeks. My teacher closed the book and I was devastated. Old Dan was dead. He had saved Billy from a mountain lion and perished doing so. Little Ann soon died of grief atop Old Dan’s grave. Where the Red Fern Grows rocked my world. I never forgot that book or the classroom where my teacher read it aloud to a group of emotional fourth graders.

Books are magical. They have the power to teach us, to transport us and to change us forever.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. From the moment John Boy Walton received his first Big Chief writing tablet, I knew that I too had a passion and a need to write, even at eleven-years-old.

Fast forward many years and as a mom of five children, my love of books and creating them did not dim. Homeschooling for twenty-four years provided countless opportunities to read aloud to my children. I was always searching for the perfect story that would change our lives as my life had been changed in fourth grade.

I wanted better stories for my kids than I could find. I was inspired to write to teach my children, to entertain them with wholesome, faith-based stories, and to reveal the worlds and characters that lived in my imagination. My family has always been my inspiration and my impetus for creating.

Today two little people call me Grandma. Their hunger for stories is insatiable. An afternoon pushing my granddaughter on the swing will consist of one story after another as she demands, “Another one!” I gladly dive into a silly tale of Mr. Robin Red Breast Red Vest who proudly wears a little red vest with four gold buttons. My inspiration, the robin sitting on the fence post. Grandma story telling is improv at its best.

I have often said that writing for children is the opportunity to change a child’s life in 32 pages. I believe that it is a privilege and serious responsibility to write for children. Books influence our thoughts and beliefs. The stories I create must encourage. Children need to know that they are loved, that they are important, and that they can do great things.

I am compelled to write so that children will fall in love with books, so that parents will take the time to engage in story time with their children, and that for generations to come my words will exist to help and delight a child.

Books that we read as children mark us deeply. They stay with us all through life lingering in our memories until we are old. They shape how we see the world, and they often shape how we see ourselves. It is the books we read as children that teach us to discover and to imagine.

I am a children’s author because somewhere inside of me is a little girl still hungering for an amazing story to change my life.

I believe that there is a great need for uplifting, wholesome and Christian literature for children. Because of this belief I whole heartedly support my publisher, Little Lamb Books, Today I’ve included information on Little Lamb Books and the Kickstarter fund raising that is being launched Tuesday June 30, 2020.

Please read about Little Lamb and consider any size donation to help keep Children’s Christian Publishing alive and well.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that my publisher, Little Lamb Books, has been publishing fresh, fun, and faith-filled picture books, chapter books, and YA titles for the past four years. This includes my book The Broken Crayon about finding your value even when you are broken, being released fall 2021.

Little Lamb Books is launching a Kickstarter campaign on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 in order to find monetary assistance for their new titles, AND to keep moving forward with new books in the future. Because of the enormous financial strain on small businesses caused by Covid-19, they need our help to keep the lights on.

 What Happened?

Little Lamb Books is a small publisher and family-oriented business that has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. The manufacturing and distribution supply chains were immediately disrupted when bookstores closed, and Amazon halted the purchase and shipment of new books. Their ability to continue selling books was also impacted due to shipping delays and paper shortages. The CARES Act didn’t cover all the small businesses and now, they need OUR help.

      I appreciate what Little Lamb Books is doing for the next generation, and I’m proud to be a part of their family of authors. As my amazing friends, I personally invite you to join the pre-launch page here. There is a short explanation video and be sure to check out the fun rewards for pledging.

      It’s important to reach 25% of our goal within 48 hours after the campaign launches. So, if you support what Little Lamb Books publishes, including my book The Broken Crayon and how we reach young readers with stories of kindness, courage, friendship, and sharing God’s love, you can help out by pledging to the campaign on the very first day. There are amounts ranging from $5 to $50 to $1000. Something for everyone to get involved.

As a small business hard hit by this pandemic, Little Lamb Books needs your voice and your financial contribution to help them overcome the impacts of COVID-19. Your pledge will help create new stories for families and young readers now and in the future. Thank you so much for joining with me to fight back against a virus that has stolen so much already.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/littlelambbooks/little-lamb-books-publisher-of-childrens-books

It is my sincerest hope that all of you are healthy and doing well during this season. Thank you for your support for me as I write to encourage adults and children.