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Angelica : Enter into the dream
Angelica: Enter Into the Dream is a dreamy and faith-filled story about a young girl named Angelica who discovers that she is a Dream Waker—someone who can step into dreams and change them. Guided by her wise grandmother and strengthened by her Christian faith, Angelica learns to use her God-given gift to help others, including her friend Amanda, who is haunted by nightmares. Along the way, Angelica gathers heavenly allies, faces spiritual darkness, and accepts her mission to rescue those lost or afraid in the dream world.
This children’s book really surprised me. It’s sweet and sincere, but it doesn’t hold back on some deep stuff. The idea of a kid going into dreams to battle dark forces is kinda epic. And mixing that with Bible armor like the “belt of truth” or the “rope of courage” was clever. The writing is simple and gentle, clearly meant for a younger audience, but there’s something pure about it. The dreams have that classic, almost fairy tale vibe—talking animals, glowing caves, eerie enemies—but the meaning behind them hits a little deeper. It talks about fear, courage, purpose, and God’s love in a way that feels comforting.
Angelica jumps from unsure kid to full-on spiritual warrior fast. I found myself rooting for her. There’s a squirrel named Todd who leads her to an eagle-lion-dove combo squad called Eagle Fort—what’s not to love? There’s this cozy fantasy feel to it all. If you’ve ever felt afraid of the dark or had a kid scared to sleep, this book feels like it’s reaching out with a hug. The artwork is charming. The bold colors and clear shapes make it easy for kids to follow, while the expressions on the characters’ faces really bring out the emotions. It uses just enough detail to let the feelings shine through.
This picture book is a gem for parents, grandparents, or Sunday school teachers who want to introduce big spiritual ideas in a soft and imaginative way. It’s great for kids who love stories with heart and a little adventure, especially ones grounded in faith. Honestly, if you’ve got a little one who’s been dealing with nightmares or big emotions, this could be exactly the kind of book to curl up with. It’s full of love, light, and enough dream magic to keep things fun while still making you feel something real.
Love is a Choice
Cozy Critters on the Ark follows a little mouse living in peaceful solitude who goes on an exciting adventure on Noah’s Ark and learns the meaning of friendship and happiness. What was the inspiration for your story?
My husband and I created the Cozy Critter world because of our love for small pets that make a lasting impact in one’s lives. Our guinea pig, Cooper, means a lot to us and we wanted to create a world where small creatures can make huge impacts in things and people around them. Kids can sometimes feel like they’re small and they don’t matter but our story hopefully teaches them that they do matter and their acts of kindness can change others and themselves.
The art in this book is fantastic, really bringing the story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Michael Collazo?
Working with my husband was an absolute privilege and honor. We learned a lot about our marriage and working together as a team. Michael is a unique artist because he doesn’t use any image references when he illustrates and everything you see in our book comes from his heart. In this book, he would draw the images first and then we would both add words to it, which is normally the opposite of the story writing process. This made it so that the illlustrations became the primary focus and our story weaved in and out of them. Michael has never taken an art class in his life. He is truly a unique artist and I pale in comparison to him and have a more realistic art style.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Love is a choice and every day is full of choices to make. We can strive to make this world a better place by loving people just as they are, which is a biblical principle my husband and I try to live out daily and requires an internal decision of us even when it might be hard. Rufi has his flaws by taking on tasks harder than he expects, not asking for help, and letting his introverted nature create a barrier between him and people who might enjoy him. The Cozy Critters accept him just as he is and we did not want to change him- he is still a guarded little workaholic mouse. But he does learn a thing or two about the value of loving others and letting one be loved in return. Friends can easily become family, especially if you did not have a traditional family upbringing and this book also has friendship, belonging, kindness, and displacement themes.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Our next book in the Cozy Critter Storytime Series will focus around Henrietta, the bossy go-getter bunny. She will want to take over the Christmas planning and readers will see what happens when her long list of action items gets fulfilled. Although she is a bit of a control freak, she is just as fragile as Rufi and has endearing qualities we will be developing. The book, Henrietta Ruins Christmas, will be released in the Fall of 2025.
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YOU are about to embark on an adventure with the world’s greatest friends, the Cozy Critters! Join us for the first heartwarming story in the Cozy Critters Storytime Series, which takes place alongside the biblical record of Noah’s Ark. The events that transpire will leave you saying…
“Why am I cheering and clapping for a mouse?!”
Rufi the workaholic mouse has friends but lives a solitary life. When he isn’t working hard, he enjoys reading a good book with a nice cup of coffee. His world is quickly turned upside down when he finds himself thrust into an adventure alongside new companions. When Rufi is displaced from his solitary treehouse, he may just discover that sharing the world with unexpected friends is what brings him true happiness!
Join Rufi as he is caught up in the action aboard Noah’s Ark and learns that any place can be a home if it is filled with love. This whimsical tale demonstrates a simple truth which is held dear by its authors, “Love never fails.” This book was created to support connection between children and the adults who are teaching them about life. While it contains fictional elements and absurdities, it aims to provide children with examples of belonging and kindness and demonstrate how friendship can rescue you from life’s biggest storms.
We understand that children navigate many of the same kinds of problems as adults, including finding ourselves in new living situations, situational family dynamics, and unexpected displacement. This book encourages children to broaden their ideas about belonging and helps them to see that they are surrounded by others who are willing to share their world.
Note: Side effects of this book may include wearing a red shirt, being a better friend, and cozy behavior.
Son of Man becomes Son of God
Son of Man becomes Son of God by Trinity Royal is a 10-chapter spiritual book that offers profound insights into the dynamics of the spiritual realms of Earth and heaven. The rendition of the temptation of Jesus Christ on Mount Hermon, the book’s primary focus, raises the veil beyond what transpired at the event. Instead, it illuminates the battle between God and Satan for possessing human souls.
With that backdrop, Trinity Royal raises essential questions about the cosmic significance of humans on Earth and, in the bigger picture, why our souls are constantly battled for by the devil. This engaging book explored Jesus’s mission as an emissary of Light on Earth and why the devil sought to tempt Jesus in one of His most vulnerable states.
Readers will begin to ask critical questions about their faith when reading this book. What does all this have to do with a believer today? What can they do? How are they supposed to navigate this new knowledge?
As readers delve deeper into the repository of new information they are sure to gain from this book, they will find a part that addresses a concern faced by many Christians who wish to directly communicate with God. How do they know what is of God and what is mere hallucinations? With the grave implication that comes with yielding to temptation, how do you know your tempestuous moments are real and not fragments of your imagination? Trinity Royal sampled a few answers to these while emphasizing the importance of preparation and how to prepare to circumvent all such situations.
The graphic details of this book, Son of Man Becomes Son of God, with scriptural backing for all theories posited, offer a delicate balance between science, theology, and Bible scriptures. While it has the potential to make you tremble at what could have been had Jesus Christ fallen to the temptations of Satan, it gives hope for the salvation of the human soul and equips you with the best tool for rebuking Satan and his demons.
Son of Man Becomes Son of God is a fascinating look at scripture and offers readers a unique perspective on the interpretations of the Bible. Focusing on questions that are rarely asked, readers will be enlightened on the deeper and more profound meanings behind the temptation on Mount Hermon. This thought-provoking book would be a good resource for those interested in theology and Bible studies.
Pages: 129 | ASIN : B0BJRWPHCR
This Has Been A Mind-blowing Journey
Christmas Begins with Christ is a beautiful picture book explaining the meaning of Christmas and the role that Christ plays in the season. What was the inspiration for your story?
It’s a wild backstory. I wrote this book last year when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. I was determined to write an adult fantasy trilogy that I’d plotted, but life got in the way. I was moving out of state, juggling a toddler, pregnant, and knew I had many sleepless nights ahead of me. I had to shelve the series in my head that I desperately wanted to put on a bookshelf. It crushed my soul a little bit.
So one night I said a prayer to Jesus asking for help with my writing aspirations. Apparently He heard me, because out of nowhere an idea for a picture book fell into my head upon waking up from a pregnant-woman nap. The story was about Him.
I asked, and He definitely answered. I didn’t have time to write an adult novel, but I could write a poem for kids.
I never set out to become a children’s book author, so this has been a mind-blowing journey for me. I’m incredibly grateful that my prayer was answered in the most unexpected way.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
There were three key points I wanted to teach kids. The first is that even though you can’t see Jesus, He’s always with us. I’ve seen a lot of children’s books insert Jesus physically alongside kids into a modern-day scene. I wanted to have a more realistic depiction. I emphasized that Jesus is invisible, but we can still feel Him, talk to Him, and see His guidance.
The second educational aspect was to teach that Jesus’s love lives in us. When we share our love through acts of kindness, it creates a ripple effect of joy.
That segues into my third teaching point, which was incorporating counting to ten. Using numbers was a simple way to demonstrate how love grows.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Marissa Napolitano?
We talked in-depth on the phone about my vision for the book before she started illustrating. It was important for me to represent Jesus’s presence through the usage of light. It’s one of the main reasons why I chose her to be my illustrator. I thought she was incredibly gifted at drawing light that looked divine and otherworldly.
I sent her a document in the beginning of the project with art notes for each page to communicate what I envisioned. If I didn’t have a specific idea, I gave her a generalized concept and let her run with it. Often I would draw detailed, ugly sketches of what I wanted and emailed them to her. She always turned it into something magical.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently writing another rhyming book about Jesus for children that I’m extremely excited about. It’s not a holiday book, so you can read it any time of the year. Without giving too much away, the theme is to “let go, let God” and trust in His plan. What excites me the most is that it hasn’t been done before and has the potential to impact both children and adults.
I can’t wait to get it illustrated! Hopefully I’ll publish it in the fall of 2023 or early 2024. I also plan to write my adult fantasy series. It’s alive and breathing in my head, so I have to write it. That will definitely take me longer, but I’m determined to do it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Instagram | Website
This rhyming concept book introduces how Jesus is always in our lives. Beautiful illustrations show Christ’s supportive spiritual light around us. When we share God’s light through acts of love and joy, it creates a ripple effect. Children will learn their numbers by counting how happiness grows from the true spirit of Christmas.
Both children and adults are reminded through lyrical prose to pause and connect with Jesus. Christmas Begins With Christ is the perfect gift for the holiday season that’s sure to inspire families for years to come.
Countless Challenges That Kids Face
Success follows a young boy who is working on a school assignment to discover what the meaning of success is by interviewing people he knows. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this particular series of stories comes from my students over the years. As an elementary school teacher, I have seen countless challenges that kids face. I am inspired by them to write stories that touch on big life lessons, such as identity, perseverance, kindness, and courage. This story came to me while I was on a walk with my oldest sister one Sunday morning. She and I were chatting about my students, her own kids who are now adults, and life in general. If you have sisters, or have been around sisters, you know how we can bounce all over the place in conversations! Anyhow, as the day went on, the idea became more and more clear, and the story sort of wrote itself!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Helen Ayle?
I agree, the art is fantastic! Helen and I have been collaborating for about two years. We discovered one another for our very first project, a book called Good Deeds Gone Wrong that also has the same main character as Success. We have collaborated on seven projects so far. She is a wonderful artist and illustrator. Her ideas are creative, and I love how she brings different perspectives in the illustrations. My favorite from this book is while Stephen was lying awake in bed… I love the colors and mood on that page!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main themes that I wanted to explore through this book are identity and defining success. I think it is important for kids to consider this idea of identity — who we believe we are and how we see ourselves. I also hope kids understand that success looks different for different people. Ultimately, I hope kids think about success a little differently, just like the main character. I see children come through my classroom each year who are so uniquely talented, and often don’t feel successful based on school criteria. They maybe struggle with reading or math, but perhaps are incredibly logical thinkers. Or maybe they are amazing artists, or kind and helpful people who jump up to assist anyone who needs it. I have kids who are incredible public speakers, dancers, writers, athletes, and mathematicians. Ultimately, I hope this book helps kids feel seen and understood. I hope it helps them consider that each person is gifted in different ways, and that is what makes the world function well. We need all of the talents and perspectives!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just released another piece about a week ago that Helen illustrated for me called A Big Family’s Big Trip. I was inspired to write a story after reading the 1978 Caldecott winner The Relatives Came. The story is about my family’s trip to Israel in December 2018- January 2019. My parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019, and they announced that rather than having a big party, they wanted to take us all on a big trip to Israel! It was an amazing adventure, to say the least. And Helen did a fantastic job creating the thirteen characters inspired by my family! She has also finished illustrations for another book called Tough Turning Ten that will be released this summer. AND I’m also putting together a book for another series that I have with an exceptional illustrator named Pablo D. A’lio. That series has brief lessons for everyday activities that are also wise words of wisdom for life. We created three books of Grandpa’s Lessons, and now we are diving into Grandma’s Guides… We can learn a lot about life from activities like fishing, hiking, cooking, and gardening. Plus grandparents always have the best advice, right?
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
The Liminal Loop
The Liminal Loop: Astonishing Stories of Discovery and Hope is an anthology of short stories that take the reader through different periods of life, different mental spaces, and a world many adults have been in. Editor Timothy Carson compiled intriguing, stimulating, and moving stories that will not only get the reader to reflect on themself but also help them in their critical thinking.
This thought-provoking book is written in a language that the average reader can smoothly comprehend. The authors’ styles are straightforward, easy, and gripping. The author’s friendly and engaging natures are some of the most notable elements in this book.
Throughout the compelling stories, the author answers hundreds of questions that many adults battle with. There is a form of self-realization that comes with reading this book. You think about the serendipity that life brings, anxiety, and sometimes even depression. Timothy L. Carson uses his writing skill to ease the despair and indecision in the reader’s head.
This inspiring book covers a variety of subjects that are significant at different stages of life. The chapters in the book are diverse but also intertwined with each other. Through the stories, you get advice on issues such as politics, religion, social life, economics, love, war, peace, forgiveness, relationships, and general human interaction. The lessons in this book are refreshing, and the stories shared by the author are even more uplifting. In addition, the author showed discretion and sensitivity when discussing sensitive issues that may upset readers.
This book is a beacon of hope when life feels overwhelming and the hurdles insurmountable. I appreciate the author for the tales shared in the book and for selecting unique topics that not many authors have written about. The content in the book is wholesome and has a lasting impact on the reader.
The Liminal Loop: Astonishing Stories of Discovery and Hope is a collection of stories about humans’ struggles and how they persevere. The impressive language in the book will captivate readers and hold their attention, while the lessons in each chapter will stay with them long after the book is finished.
Pages: 212 | ASIN : B09TG595ZF
Building Our Faith
Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God teaches children all the different ways they can offer praise to God in their daily lives. What was the inspiration for writing this book?
The series started with the first book, when my seven year old grandson, now eighteen, said to his mother, “Mama, I want to see God”. After, Mama, I Want to See God was published, I decided to include the entire family in the series with a Daddy book and a Grandparents book. My goal was to show families through each of the books that we, (children and adults) are all works in progress as it relates to building our faith.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Sharon Grey?
The art collaboration with Sharon was awesome. This book was the second book that she and I have worked on together. My publisher requires that I create a storyboard for my books, providing concepts about what I envision for each page. Many times, I needed Sharon’s insight regarding my ideas. Sharon was always willing to rework a sketch if it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I appreciate and admire Sharon’s expertise and experience in bringing to life the pages of my book.
I loved the scene where they talked about praising God even when things go wrong. What was your favorite scene in this book?
I have two favorite scenes in the book. The first is when the children want to know the best time to praise God. This is one of my favored settings in the book because my mother is depicted on that page. The other scene is when granddad and the children are praying at the dinner table. And, my father is portrayed on that page. My parents were indeed the best grandparents that any child could have!
Do you have more books planned for the Families Growing in Faith series? If so what is the topic and when will it be available?
I actually have three additional works that I started writing years ago. I’ve been so busy with my first three books, as well as other works in progress that I haven’t had time to get back to those stories. I believe they would fit well in the series, Families Growing in Faith. All I can reveal at this time is that each of the stories start with “God Knows . . .” I’m not sure when they will be available. But, be on the lookout!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
In the third book of this lauded series, Families Growing in Faith, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God follows inquisitive children who learn from their loving grandparents that praising God brings joy.
Grandparents and their grandchildren, as well as parents, guardians, and caregivers will love the rhyming stanzas and tender illustrations of a child’s natural curiosity and growing discovery that we can express praise through the good and the bad; anywhere or anytime; and with singing, dancing, shouting, and clapping.
This engaging story will empower children in fostering habits of praise and thankfulness.
LITERARY TITAN 