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Wagon of Worries
Mabel is gathering something in her little red wagon, though it’s hardly the sort of collection that brings comfort. What she piles inside are worries. They appear everywhere, multiplying with ease, and Mabel scoops them up almost without thinking. Soon the wagon swells with these gray tokens of unease, growing so weighty that she can scarcely drag it along. She tries to abandon it, to shake herself free, yet finds she’s somehow bound to it, tethered by forces she doesn’t fully grasp. The question becomes urgent: how can she move forward? A turn toward a higher power may hold the key.
Wagon of Worries, written by Ruthie Godfrey, targets readers roughly ages 4 through 11. While older children may find the message too direct, younger readers are likely to enjoy its vibrant illustrations and the gentle wisdom woven throughout.
Godfrey introduces the idea of anxiety with refreshing creativity. The dull gray coins Mabel gathers function as symbols for the small but persistent stresses that follow us through life, whether we are children learning to navigate the world or adults juggling responsibilities. As those worries accumulate, steering one’s life can feel increasingly difficult. Mabel’s journey demonstrates that seeking help from the divine can offer a release, a way to surrender the heaviest burdens and trust in something beyond oneself. Once she does, her wagon and her path forward grow lighter.
The symbolism may lean toward the obvious, yet the message remains valuable for young readers. Godfrey emphasizes that even those outside the Christian faith can find meaning in the book’s core principle. A “let go, let God” mindset, whether interpreted literally, spiritually, or metaphorically, can help anyone overwhelmed by anxieties regain perspective. In an era where worry feels nearly universal, the book presents a gentle, sensible approach to coping, wrapped in a story children can understand and remember.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0F6M8Y7BH
Higher Callings for Our Lives
The Mighty Mountain follows a tall and mighty mountain who is struck by an earthquake and reduced to a pile of sticks and has to find a new purpose in life. What was the inspiration for your story?
I recall praying for ideas about 8 years ago for something of value that would be impactful to people, build a legacy for my family, and God imparted a parable about a mountain to my mind and I couldn’t shake it. I felt the message behind the story was so powerful and moving to everyone young and old that it had to be shared. I wanted this book to be a classic story that will stick with people for a lifetime like The Little Engine That Could, The Giving Tree, or The Hungry Caterpillar. When I expanded the parable into an illustrative story, I was motivated to have others see and feel what I experienced in that moment when the story was first placed on my heart.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Some of the ideas that I wanted to share in this book were about the idea of change and discovering your purpose. In life, you sometimes find out that you are good at something and you devote all of your energy into it and believe you found your thing. So much so that you’ve placed your entire worth in that thing and if you can’t do that thing you fall into the trap of believing you’re worthless. The truth is we evolve, go through seasons, and have higher callings for our lives. Sometimes it’s related to what we were doing before but sometimes it isn’t. Young and old go through tragedies of different magnitudes impacting what they were doing and I want to share the idea of hope within them. Hope that they are more and will make an impact somewhere else.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Wilker Aguiar Souza?
Working with Wilker was fantastic, I felt we worked very well together! The Mighty Mountain was my first book, and I had a vision for how the mountain should look. Early in the process, I made sketches of how each character would look and respond in the different scenes. Several years later when going through character development, I provided Wilker with the manuscript, explained how I wanted the mountain to look, and when he provided his initial sketches for the character development I was shocked! They were eerily close to what I drew years before. That was confirmation for me that Wilker was supposed to be the illustrator for this project. I gave him creative freedom to make the story come alive with vibrant colors and tones to convey the emotion of the mountain as it went through its transformational process.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have several books that I am working on. The adult companion book for The Mighty Mountain is in the editing stage and should be available within the next six months. That book will go a little deeper and provide the adults and parents with more insight to help them apply the ideas that are embedded within The Mighty Mountain to their circumstances. Additionally, I have inspired my daughter to write a book. She has a love of baking and co-authored a magnificent book called Cookie-Day, Cookie-Day which is available on Amazon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
The Girl and Her Noble Steed
The Girl and Her Noble Steed by Kirthana Fanning is a delightful and imaginative story that centers on Ofe, a young orphan with a remarkable affinity for animal riding. Set on the island of Ginobe, the story unfolds as Ofe endeavors to utilize her unique skill to rescue her orphanage. The annual Gino Games, featuring a pivotal race, presents Ofe with an opportunity to win a prize that could secure the orphanage’s future. However, achieving this goal requires the unlikely assistance of a curmudgeonly old man, humorously dubbed “Sir Frowns-a-lot,” and his donkey, Zo.
Fanning’s storytelling is refreshingly original and imbued with a whimsical charm reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s work. The narrative is sprinkled with humor and warmth, engaging readers of all ages. The book’s illustrations, evocative of the early 2000s animated series “The Proud Family,” add a layer of visual appeal with their exaggerated, comedic style.
The writing style is a standout aspect of this book. Fanning employs language that resonates with younger audiences without sacrificing depth or humor. Ofe’s portrayal is particularly endearing and authentic; she is depicted with the innocence and humor characteristic of her age. For instance, in a light-hearted moment, Ofe checks her breath before embarking on a task, adding a touch of humor and depth to her character. Beyond the underdog theme, the story delves into themes of faith and reliance on higher powers. Ofe’s trust in God to aid her and the orphanage adds a meaningful dimension to the tale.
The Girl and Her Noble Steed is a skillfully crafted story that combines humor, imagination, and heartfelt moments. It’s a compelling read for a diverse audience, offering more than just entertainment but also a poignant message about faith and perseverance.
Pages: 100 | ASIN : B0CKS19H5T
The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle
Daniel Petronelli’s The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a Christmas story of faith and hope. A drought has plagued the little town of Shiloh. There is no water, and there are no Christmas trees, and the villagers don’t know which one is worse. A spirited group of boys takes it upon themselves to sneak over the mountain to the town on the other side. They plan to take home a Christmas tree, but a terrible blizzard interrupts up their plan. Stuck in the blizzard, the boys find themselves panicking. A mysterious figure soon appears and gives them a helping hand. His help becomes significant for the whole village in ways they never expected.
The book is well-written with fun page borders and pleasing illustrations that add depth to the storytelling. It’s a heartwarming story–exactly the kind you’d want to read with children around the Christmas season. It speaks about God and about how faith can be found in even the most trying moments. Its wholesome content makes this a must-read for families.
The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a high-quality children’s book with a narrative that embodies the essence of Christmas. It’s a story that reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and kindness during the holiday season. Its combination of well-crafted storytelling, engaging illustrations, and a meaningful message makes it special. This children’s book is a delightful addition to any Christmas reading list. The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a wonderful gift for children and adults alike, spreading the joy and magic of Christmas throughout its pages.
Pages: 74 | ISBN : 978-1737485513
LITERARY TITAN 