Showing posts with label Children's Literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children's Literature. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Book Spotlight: The Unwinding Path by Betony Coons

About the Book:




Wander into stillness.

Tuck your thoughts under the stars.

Let your breath slow with the rhythm of a prayer.


The Unwinding Path is a quiet invitation to rest—a bedtime book that gently guides children (and the grownups who love them) through soft moments that bring rest and reset. With each turn of the page, little readers are invited to use their fingers to follow a calming path, pausing, noticing, breathing, and settling into sacred stillness.

Filled with the author's tender, whimsical illustrations and a lyrical, meditative text, this book becomes more than a story. It becomes a bedtime practice that helps hearts unwind, hands unclench, and the body prepare for sleep.

With The Unwinding Path, you will
  • gently introduce children to mindfulness, stillness, and awareness of God's presence;
  • help children journey toward God's presence through the rich imagery of the ancient Christian tradition of a labyrinth; and
  • discover author and artist Betony Coons's beautiful illustrations for an inviting and comforting reading experience.
If the little ones in your life struggle to calm and quiet themselves for bedtime, The Unwinding Path can help. As children trace the labyrinth's path with their fingers, they are invited to slow down and experience God's presence in the world around them. Night after night, experience a gentle, grace-filled close to the day with The Unwinding Path.

(Release Date: May 19, 2026)


About the Author:

Betony Coons is an artist, storyteller, and mom of four fierce and wonderful kids. She grew up on an apple orchard in Kansas, where she spent her days climbing trees, chasing fireflies, and letting her imagination run wild. Now she lives in colorful Colorado with her family of six, where life is full of art, adventure, and a little bit of chaos (the good kind). Betony loves to make things—whether it's giant interactive art for kids, whimsical picture books, or an epic mess in the kitchen. She believes art is all about play and curiosity, and she's always looking for new ways to turn everyday moments into something magical. Her art is filled with wonder, joy, and heart, inviting kids (and grownups!) to slow down and explore the beauty around them. To see what Betony's up to, follow her on Instagram (@betonycoonsart) or check out her website at www.betonycoons.com for her latest creative adventures!

Friday, September 1, 2023

Epic Book Launch: Building Character Through Picture Books

About the Book:



Book Title: Building Character Through Picture Books

Author Name: Terrie Hellard-Brown

Genre: Devotional

Release Date: May 27, 2023

Bring the Bible into bedtime. After reading the picture book together, families can read the short devotion, discuss compelling questions (questions for younger and older children provided), and end with prayer together as the children prepare to sleep. The book includes 25 devotions matched with 25 popular and classical picture books. Each devotion includes a section for parents to go further in the discussion or to add an activity to continue the conversation the following day.


Book Excerpt

Because by Mo Willems

“In row C, seat 14—sat the girl with the uncle’s ticket. She heard the beautiful music written by the man named Franz—and it changed her.”


We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. (Hebrews 10:24, ERV)

All of you together are the body of Christ.
Each one of you is a part of that body.

(1 Corinthians 12:27, ERV)

The Story: In this story a little girl winds up going to a symphony with her aunt because her uncle has a cold and can’t use his ticket. Each person in the story has an important role to play for all the “Becauses” to happen.

What would happen if someone did not do what they were supposed to do—what would happen if the helpers did not prepare the music hall? What would happen if the ushers didn’t open the doors? What would happen if the musicians didn’t practice? Each person has a job and a purpose in that job.

God works life out so that each person’s purpose helps to bring about His purposes. We each have a part in His plan. We each have a job to do. Someday we will see the “Because” in God’s plan too.


All Excerpts


Excerpt One: https://travelerswife4life.com/building-character-through-picture-books/

Excerpt Two: http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/epic-book-launch-and-excerpt-building-character-through-picture-books-devotional/

Excerpt Three: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2023/09/building-character-through-picture.html

Excerpt Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2023/09/epic-book-launch-building-character.html

Excerpt Five: https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2023/09/building-character-through-picture.html

Excerpt Six: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2023/09/building-character-through-picture.html

Excerpt Seven: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2023/09/14/building-character-through-picture-books-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit/


About the Author

Terrie Hellard-Brown uses her experiences as a mother of four (three on the autism spectrum), 35+ years in ministry (15 in Taiwan), and 35 years teaching to speak to the hearts of readers. She writes and speaks to empower children and adults to embrace everyday discipleship every day. She teaches workshops and writes devotional books, children’s stories, and Christian education materials.

Her podcast, Books that Spark, reviews children’s books that spark imagination, emotion, questions, and discussion leading to teachable moments with our kids.

Her blog discusses living as a disciple of Christ while discipling our children. She challenges us to step out of our comfort zones to walk by faith in obedience to Christ and to use the nooks and crannies of life to disciple our children.

Monday, October 11, 2021

Book Spotlight: The Odyssey: A Poetic Primer by B. B. Gallagher


BOOK DETAILS:


Title: The Odyssey: A Poetic Primer

Release Date: October 2021

Publisher: Good & True Media

ISBN: 9781737079606

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 56

Price: $24.95

Website: https://goodandtruemedia.com/poetic-primers 



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ever been lost and want to go home? Join Odysseus as he struggles to return to his family in this epic retelling of the adventures of The Odyssey


Retold for a children audience, Poetic Primer’s The Odyssey is filled with vibrant illustrations while still maintaining the poetic format of the original work.


Together you and your reader can enter the world of Ancient Greece and see how our hero, Odysseus, exemplifies a multitude of classical virtues as he courageously slays monsters, patiently travels to magical lands, and prudently takes back his home and family.


Filled with educational materials and discussion questions, The Odyssey is bound to be you and your child’s next favorite epic.



ABOUT THE POETIC PRIMERS SERIES:

A dilemma that some parents face is whether or not to introduce their children to certain classics because they have some questionable scenes or characters. For instance, the epic, The Odyssey presents the strong moral hero, Odysseus, who faces some more adult-like vices like lust. Hence, Good & True Media has taken some of the renowned classics and made them more kid friendly without removing the elegant language or the essence of the story.


Poetic Primers focuses on the virtues that each of the heroes embodies and the poetic language of each story. In the back of each is a character development section which explains the virtues and vices present in the story and offers reflection questions for the children to relate those virtues and vices to their own lives. Together with beautiful illustrations, Poetic Primers allow younger readers to experience the epic tales of the old classic heroes while still fostering their innocence.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The Odyssey: A Poetic Primer is B.B. Gallagher's fifth published book and first of the Poetic Primers series.


Married to Alyssa and father to Charlie, John Paul, Evelyn and Henry, he appreciates what time he gets in front of the computer to write. As publisher of Good & True, B.B. is leading the future of Children's literature, one moral lesson at a time.


In what little spare time he has, B.B. teaches at Belmont Abbey College, enjoys strategic board games and losing at Fantasy Football.



CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:


Instagram: @bb_gallagher

Facebook: @bbgallagher 

Twitter: @bb_gallagher