 With sweet, rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, My Tender Heart Bible features beloved and classic Bible stories for beginner readers. Bestselling author Laura Sassi pairs simple yet creative paraphrasing of Old and New Testament re-tellings with a “Heart Moment” for families to read aloud and pray. Scripture references are noted with each story that tell of God’s redemption plan for even more exploration together! The title says it all! My Tender Heart Bible is a sweet Bible storybook, just right for little hands and little hearts. Written in rhyming verse and paired with adorable illustrations, this collection of favorite Bible stories will help young children learn about people and events from the Bible, while reminding them of God's unconditional love. I need this book for my grandkids. - Crystal Bowman---award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children including, Our Daily Bread for Kids Book Title: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE Series Title: My Tender Heart Publisher: Paraclete Press Audience: 0 - 6 Genre: Rhyming Bible Story Book Release Date: February 7, 2023 Q&A with LauraBrock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series? or What was your inspiration for writing this book or series? Laura: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE is a collection of 12 of my favorite Bible stories, creatively rendered in rhyme with a simple prayer “heart moment” for each. The collection is inspired by memories of snuggling up with my own children when they were tiny to read or re-tell (in my own words so they could understand) so they could grasp just how much God loved them. This project is something I’ve dreamed of doing ever since my kids were little and I feel so blessed that it has come to pass! Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique? Laura: God and His amazing redemptive love provide the overarching framework for this collection. Each story that I’ve included has been carefully chosen to demonstrate that our God keeps His promises and provides for us in amazing ways. Even when we stumble or fall, He loves us and has provided a way back to Him through Jesus’s atoning death and resurrection. Brock: In three words what is this book about? Laura: God’s great love! Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story? Laura: It depends on the book, but yes, for MY TENDER HEART BIBLE, I plotted out ahead of time which stories I wanted to include. I knew that I wanted six stories from the Old Testament and six from the New Testament. I also wanted the stories, each in their own way, to point to Jesus and how God’s plan for restoring us to Him is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. On top of that, I also thought it was important to choose stories that would be engaging for littlest ones. Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? Laura: It is my hope that when reading these stories, little ones will feel like they witnessing right along with Moses and Esther and Jesus’s followers that God keeps His promises, that He loves us and that He wants us to be in relationship with Him. Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for? Laura: Not really a genre, but I love writing books and poems that point little ones and their families to God. These can take the form of character driven stories like LOVE IS KIND or imaginative renderings of Bible favorites like GOODNIGHT ARK or GOODNIGHT MANGER, to Bible story collections like my newest book MY TENDER HEART BIBLE. And I love writing in rhyme. Brock: How many books are planned for this series? Laura: I’m excited to share that MY TENDER HEART BIBLE is the first in a three book series of MY TENDER HEART books. The second book, MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK will release this coming Fall and MY TENDER HEART DEVOTIONS is expected to release in Fall 2024. Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series? Laura: The second book in the series, MY TENDER HEART PRAYER BOOK is already in production. That book is a collection of 24 fun rhyming prayers designed to take a child through the day and foster conversations with God. Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? Laura: I’m still working on the third and can’t say too much yet, except that this one will be a collection of 50 illustrated devotionals for littlest ones to read with their caregivers. Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids? Laura: It is my hope that this will become a bedside table favorite, to be picked up and enjoyed by little ones and their families again and again as they ponder together God’s great love for them. Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series? Laura: God is real. He keeps His promises and loves them very much. That’s why He sent Jesus. Jesus loves them wants them to be in daily communion/fellowship with Him. Brock: Where do you like to write? Laura: My favorite place to write to write in the summer is on my front porch. The other three seasons, I move around my house, settling in various cozy reading/ writing spots including my dining room, my living room, and I’m just now in the process of converting a guest bedroom into a “she-shed”. LOL. Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing? Laura: My faith is foundational to my writing. It sets the course of what I write and why - to point others to God! LIGHTNING ROUND Brock: Coke or Pepsi? Laura: Neither. I’m a freshly-steeped hot cup of tea person. Brock: Soft shell or Hard Shell tacos? Laura: Hard, of course, and topped with all the fixings including guacamole. Brock: Favorite place to vacation? Laura: I love spending time at the beach each summer. Brock: Favorite season? Laura: I think each season is special in its own way, but maybe summer because that’s when I get to spend mornings writing on my beloved porch. Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Laura: I love Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 because it’s a wonderful reminder of just how central God and His Word are to be in our lives. Brock: Favorite pasta dish? Laura: Pasta primavera.  Author Name: Laura Sassi
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