Love is Kind by Laura Sassi: Five Fun Facts and a Giveaway
Love is Kind, the newly released picture book from best-selling author Laura Sassi, tells the endearing tale of Little Owl, who sets out to buy a box of chocolates for his grammy. But what should be a simple task turns out to be a real test of Little Owl’s character, and he discovers, through many set-backs, the real meaning of love.
When I first sat down to read this book, I was in awe of the way Laura skillfully wove the attributes of 1 Corinthians 13 into this little story. It truly is a treasure!
Here’s Laura with Five Fun Facts about writing Love is Kind, ( I love Fun Fact #2!) Be sure to enter the book giveaway at the end of this post, sponsored by Zonderkidz.
FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT WRITING LOVE IS KIND:
1. This is my first published book NOT told in rhyme.
Readers might pause when they first read this Laura Sassi story because it’s different from the others. And what’s the difference? It’s told in prose! As I always tell new writers – especially those who love rhyme as much as I do – some stories simply aren’t meant to rhyme. The key is to be sensitive to the heart and feel of your story so that you tell it the way it’s meant to be told. Perhaps because of all the ups and downs of Little Owl’s journey and the infusion of scripture snippets into the illustrations, telling THIS story in prose seemed best.
2. Little Owl wasn’t always a Little Owl.
In my earliest imaginings he was a little boy – a specific little boy – my son – who like Little Owl found money – a $5 bill – just blowing in the breeze in our back yard. He was so eager to put it in his piggy bank, but then our young neighbor- who had just run across the yard – came dashing back. “I lost my babysitting money! Have you seen it?” It was hard for him – because he was almost so rich – but he did the right thing and returned the money to her. That little interaction became one of the sparks the led me to write LOVE IS KIND. For a bit, my protagonist was also a hedgehog, but ultimately I settled on an owl – small, wise and cute!
3. 1 Corinthians 13 is a lifelong favorite passage of mine.
It was read at our wedding and my husband’s dear aunt and uncle gave us a framed print of the passage which we have hung in every apartment and house we’ve lived for the past 26 years! The wisdom of I Corinthians 13 has helped me over the years to understand what real love is – patient, kind, slow to anger, truth-loving – a tall order and one not always easy to live by. Once our kids came along, I wondered how I might creatively – through story – show just how varied and wonderful this love is. Making the many facets of love tangible for young kids, then, was another spark that led me to write Little Owl’s story.
4. My heart overflowed with joy and gratitude when I saw the illustrations.
I had seen portfolio samples of illustrator Lison Chaperon’s work early on in the creation process, but it wasn’t until my editor sent me a couple of sample finished interiors this past winter that I got a sense of just how wonderful and whimsical the spreads would be. The world that she created for Little Owl – and even Little Owl himself – are so charming and full of extra little humorous details that truly take my story to a wonderful new level.
5. This story releases in August but it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day too!
I originally envisioned LOVE IS KIND as a Valentine’s Day story with Little Owl hoping to buy his grammy some heart-shaped chocolates. However, the team at Zonderkidz and I agreed that having it be exclusively Valentine’s themed limited its enjoyment year-round. So… with that in mind, I kept the chocolates (yum!) but turned it into a birthday quest instead. Still, with its “Love is kind, love is patient…” theme, it’s a natural for Valentine’s Day. Indeed, I plan on doing a nice round of Valentine’s Day themed readings and school visits come February. And I’ll also be putting together some book-themed Valentine card ideas on my blog… so stay tuned for that.
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Thank you, Laura, for sharing those five fun facts with us! And now for the exciting part… Zonderkidz are offering a giveaway of Love is Kind to one lucky reader! To enter you must be a US resident, age 18 and over, with a US mailing address (not a P.O. Box.) Simply leave a comment right here on this post, telling me who you would share the book with. The winner will be announced in the comments here on Monday 3rd September.
PS…If you share this post on Facebook, just let me know and you’ll be entered twice 
Not sure whether to enter? Just watch this 50 second video.
Glenys
Laura’s book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it. It’s nice to find a book with such a good message and such beautiful, adorable pictures. My kind of book! I will be reading as a volunteer, at a local daycare. I plan to share this with the children there. (I will share on Facebook as well)
Thanks, Carol. I’ll enter your name twice!
Definitely I’d share with my friend!!!
They would love it!
Laura’s book sounds delightful. I would like to add a copy to the new Little Free Library that I’m getting ready to set up at my church.
I love those Little Free Libraries! Such a great idea!
This book looks delightful. I would love to share it with my own children as well as those I teach in Sunday School (preschoolers & kindergartners.)
They would love it Lynette!
I’m a Children’s Pastor at my local church and I will read it to them as part of a teaching lesson. I will also share to my Facebook page. Thanks for this opportunity to win.
God bless,
Richard
Thanks Richard, your name’s entered twice. Blessings on your ministry.
This is beautiful! My daughter gets to take a book to storytime at school… she could take this one!
That’s a great idea Fayelle!
I would share this book with the children at my church! Looks like a great book!
It is Vanessa!
Aw, this looks so good!! I love rhe idea of incorporating 1st Corinthians in this!
That’s the part I love most about it Rachel!
This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to share this book with my children.
I shared to facebook. https://www.facebook.com/100004486112199/posts/1111918472301013/
Thank you Cat. Your name’s entered twice!
I would share the book with my sweet group of 2 and 2 year olds in our Grace Space.
I love it that you have a Grace Space!
I would take this to church camp
Thanks Amy! You’re entered twice!
Amy! I’m thrilled to let you know that you are the winner! I will be emailing you…
Shared on fb
The book looks and sounds wonderful. I would give it to my daughter who loves owls and turns 40 this month. She has 5 daughters. I’m sure they all would enjoy reading it. Thank you.
Five daughters…Wow,that’s one busy house! Thanks for entering!
I would share the book with my grandchildren. They would love it!
Yes, they would!
I love Christian Children’s Literature — books that point kids to Christ. I would share this book with the DayCare center that operates at our church. Thanks for the opportunity to win! Blessings.
And blessings to you Katrina!
I would share this with my class!
It’s a great read aloud Lisette!
My nephew would love it!
I know he would Johanna!
And the winner of Love is Kind is…Amy! Congratulations!
This book sounds lovely…just the sort of thing I enjoy giving for baby showers. Actually, I would love to share it with a dear friend who is expecting her first grandchild next month.