Blog Archives
Learning About Other Cultures
Mary the Missionary, A Kenyan Adventure follows a compassionate little girl who learns a new song in Sunday school, which leads her to become curious about children in other parts of the world and her family to take a missionary trip. What was the inspiration for your story?
My husband and I do missionary trips and have taken our children many years ago. Now, as my grandchildren age, I wanted to write something that might encourage them to go on mission trips when they are old enough. I also wanted them to understand that God loves everyone and that learning about other cultures is important.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Jack Foster?
Jack was wonderful to work with in the art collaboration. I sent him some photos from my trips to Kenya and he ran with the concept. Jack came up with Mary and then emailed me the concept before we continued. I love his work and hope to work with him again in the future.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
With all my travels to other countries, I’m always amazed at the little people know or understand about people from other countries. I love to spend time visiting with local people in the countries we visit. I learn we are all the same at a human level and we have many of the same dreams for our families. I want people to learn that God loves everyone the same regardless of our backgrounds.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is the first in the Mary the Missionary series. I’m contemplating writing more in the series but just trying to decide on what country Mary will visit next.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Are you ready for an adventure in Kenya? After singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in Sunday School, Mary has many questions about children in other countries. When her parents learn about a mission trip to Kenya, they decided to experience another culture as a family. Mary encounters many trials on her Kenyan adventure. In the end, she learns that she and her new friends aren’t different, and Jesus loves all children.
Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, “Mary the Missionary” teaches important lessons about acceptance, empathy, and love. As Mary meets children from different cultures and backgrounds, she learns to see the world through their eyes and understand the unique challenges they face. Along the way, she also discovers the unifying power of faith and how it transcends all barriers.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Return of the Star Lords: A Dystopian Journey of Survival and Sacrifice
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children’s Books
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes children’s books that mesmerize audiences with incredible narratives, vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and fresh ideas. Offering well-earned accolades, we salute the imagination and exceptional skill of authors who create tales that spark curiosity and delight in young minds.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award February 2025
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Brotherhood of the Wolf: The Lesser Evil by Wes Al-Dhaher
Stay Curious Journal by Audrey Lawrence
Passion in the Bone by AL Falcon
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
New Testament Bible for Kids: Completely Illustrated Bible for Kids, Storybook, Activities, Bible Journal
The New Testament Bible for Kids by Jomo Gamal Thomas is an engaging and colorful introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s a mix of simplified Bible stories, positive affirmations, and interactive elements like puzzles and coloring pages. Aimed at young readers, it seeks to share lessons about kindness, faith, and God’s love in a way that’s accessible and fun.
I really liked how the stories were retold with a child-friendly tone. For example, the tale of Jesus calming the storm was written so vividly. It’s such a powerful lesson about staying calm and trusting during tough times. Also, the use of simple, relatable language in stories like “The Good Samaritan” made big, important ideas like compassion feel down-to-earth and easy for kids to understand.
The affirmations and emotional regulation sections were a great touch. I loved the “Zones of Emotions” tool. The way it connected Bible verses to feelings like anger or sadness was so thoughtful. The verse about courage from 2 Timothy, for instance, felt empowering and practical. It’s not just about reading the Bible it’s about using it to navigate emotions. The resurrection story was only a few lines long and I would have liked to have seen it expanded a little to really inspire awe and hope in kids. But the inclusion of activities and illustrations helps balance that by giving kids other ways to connect with the material.
This picture book is great for families wanting to introduce Christianity to kids in an interactive way. It’s perfect for Sunday school teachers or parents looking for bedtime stories with a message. If you’re looking for something fun and faith-filled, this is worth checking out.
Pages: 264 | ASIN : B0DR3THHM7
Warm Friendly Book
Harry the Hedgehog and the Fireworks follows a little hedgehog who realizes he has anxiety about the upcoming fireworks, and he seeks help from his friends to find a way to enjoy them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write a warm friendly book, still wanting to inform of the danger of fireworks. I chose animals as the fear of fireworks is sometimes not realised.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I feel kindness, sharing, and caring should always be a natural human trait. I believe everything starts when we are young.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I really enjoy the sounds of words and describing in making them come alive. I really had fun with writing:
“Bright lights flashed and sparkled into the air with crazy loud sounds.”
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Wee! Wee! Whizz!” The feeling and atmosphere are so prevalent in these few words.”
“Another cartwheel thundered through the sky.”
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have two books on the way at the moment. A middle-grade book, The Unearthing. It is a historical Juvenile fiction book, involving three siblings travelling to discover and meet Prince George II. I have prepared and written another Harry the Hedgehog book. Harry the Hedgehog’s Helpful Harvest. This book, too, will be available soon too.
The historical juvenile fiction book, The Unearthing will out very soon and is published with Olympia Publishing.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Tom McGuire Books | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon
Harry and his friends gather to watch the fireworks show. But the noise and bright lights scare them.
Will they overcome their fear?
Find out in the fifth book in the Harry the Hedgehog series.
Cultivate Good Money Habits
Tom Learns About Money follows a young boy who gets money for his birthday, and his older sister tries to teach him how to manage it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My children and our everyday life inspire the stories. They are based on true events, with a touch of fantasy added to enrich the tale. However, children seem to connect more easily when the message comes from a “friend,” someone their age. For this reason, the role of teacher or guide in the book is played by Tomi’s sister, Ellie.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
To be honest, my main goal was to demonstrate that financial literacy can be fun, playful, and extremely simple. Reading and math skills should not be obstacles to learning about money.
I believe it is important to cultivate good money habits and other useful practices from a very young age. When the characters in the book make mistakes and learn new skills to manage money wisely, it becomes easier for young readers to relate to them and look up to them as role models. I consider it crucial to focus on developing the right mindset rather than anything else.
What is interesting about this children’s book is it blends activities into the lessons seamlessly to help children understand the concepts without feeling like they are in school. How did you come up with the format and activities for this educational book?
This book was something I needed to teach my children about financial literacy. It is primarily designed as a tool for parents, making it easier for them to nurture good money habits in their children. Over time, it became clear that the book also works well as a study guide in schools.
The questions at the end of each chapter are designed to foster deeper engagement with the material and help families relate the lessons to their financial circumstances.
The “clouds” at the end of each chapter serve as gentle reminders of the key financial wisdom covered in that section. Recognizing that play is one of the most effective ways to learn and reinforce knowledge, I made it a priority to include games at the end of every chapter.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
The book Tom Learns About Money is designed as a collection of ten different financial literacy stories. These stories cover the most essential topics in the field, offering a clear and comprehensive understanding of how the „money game“ is played in the real world.
It’s possible that in the future, Tom and Ellie will delve deeper into the world of investing, or we might uncover the story of how Ellie gained her financial knowledge. Time will tell!
Author Links: GoodReads | Rinn Tuttelberg | Facebook | Tom õpib rahamängu | Website | Amazon
Tom and the readers learn about the consequences of not knowing money, the importance of having three money jars, distinguishing between needs and wants, making wise shopping decisions, understanding borrowing, budgeting and investing, choosing a job, and being entrepreneurial. Tom gains this financial wisdom from his incredibly wise sister, Ellie.
The book contains 10 stories, each providing knowledge and lessons about money. Each story ends with discussion points, wisdom clouds, and a small game to reinforce the learning.
The book offers various tools for organising finances, making money, and spending the allowance. Most importantly, the content is presented in a fun and easy-to-understand manner for children.
Learn the real-life money game with joy and ease!
It is best suited for children aged 6–10 but is great for anyone who needs a reminder about the important things in life and wants to gain financial knowledge simply and playfully.
Wonder and Mystery
In King of the Condors, a village plagued by drought and famine receives mysterious deliveries of much-needed supplies delivered by condors under the leadership of an enigmatic figure. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I was living in Ecuador at the time, in a city called Cuenca, high in the Andes at an elevation of more than 8,000 feet. The condor is a national symbol in Ecuador and is featured prominently on the country’s flag. The condor was sacred to the Inca whose empire extended through what is now Ecuador and the mythology of this majestic bird was an important part of their folklore. I wanted to write an original story that read like a traditional folktale and that celebrated something uniquely Andean. Imagination took flight and soon after, so too did the hero of our story.
What do you think makes a great children’s story?
A profound sense of wonder and mystery is what has always captured my interest in a children’s story. Robust elements of the fantastic, the fabulous, the speculative, the mythical, and the magical.
Do you have a favorite scene in King of the Condors? One that was especially fun to write?
I actually most enjoyed writing the conclusion of the story. The idea that this young fellow, saved by condors at the cliff’s edge and now their king, stands watch over his village from somewhere in the craggy heights filled me with a sense of the splendid.
The artwork in this book is wonderful. Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Stephanie Suter?
For sure! Stephanie is a Swiss transplant whose art is really quite spectacular. Cuenca is famous for its arts & crafts and her vibrant work has found a home there. I emailed Stephanie a copy of the story and she pulled from it the key imagery that she felt most inspired to create in ink on silk. The results are perfectly stunning.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
King of the Condors: El Rey de los Cóndores is a beautifully illustrated, dual-language children’s picture book (English/Spanish) written in the style of a traditional folktale that adults will enjoy reading too!
From Ecuador, high in the Andes Mountains of South America, comes the legend of the King of the Condors.
Desde el Ecuador, muy arriba en las montañas de los Andes en América del Sur, viene la leyenda del Rey de los Cóndores.
LITERARY TITAN 