I am excited to feature Laura Sassi on our CCA blog again. The third book in her Tender Heart series published by Paraclete Press will be released October 1 and is sure to delight children and families. I will let her tell you all about it!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself, Laura:  

I am a former teacher and children’s ministry director who is now blessed to be able to spend my days writing books, poems, and other pieces that offer messages of hope, faith, and joy for little ones and the grownups who love them. Over the years, I’ve discovered a special passion for telling stories in rhyme, so 10 of my 11(my next book releases in January 2025) books for children are rhyming. My very first book, Goodnight, Ark, came out in 2014. It was followed by Goodnight, Manger, Love is Kind (the only one that doesn’t rhyme), Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse, Little Ewe, Bunny Finds Easter, Happy Birthday Christmas Child, My Tender Heart Bible, My Tender Heart Prayer Book and my newest, My Tender Heart Devotions, which actually includes rhyming and non-rhyming components. I write every day, rain or shine, in my living room or on my porch and I love visiting schools, churches and more with a variety of book-themed programs. It’s my joy!

Please tell us about your new book: 

Teaching our children that they can connect with God daily through prayer and Bible time is something that has been on my heart for a long time. It is my hope that My Tender Heart Devotions will help young children and their caregivers do just that.

The third in the Tender Heart series and clocking in at 112 pages (my longest book yet!), My Tender Heart Devotions offers 52 age-appropriate interactive readings for little ones. An opening poem about a fun, kid-friendly topic is followed by a short devotion that includes a Bible passage, a playful “Heart Moment” activity, and a prayer.

What ages did you have in mind as you were writing the devotions?

The listed age range is 0 – 6, but the core age I had in mind was 4 – 6.  However, when I shared it with my Sunday school class which has 6 – 8-year-olds, they LOVED it and they all want copies. One little girl asked if she could take my one-and-only advanced copy home to keep. I think this shows that it can be enjoyed by multiple ages and perfect for family devotions. 

Tell us about some of the special features of this book.

The best way to share the special features of the book is to show you!  

Each devotion includes a title, a Bible citation, a fun poem that serves as the spark to dive into God’s word, an anchor verse (so tired parents don’t have to look up the verse), a short kid-friendly devotion that links it all together to God’s Word in an applicable way, and a Heart Moment of response.  The book also includes a topical index so parents, teachers, and more can easily find the devotion that fits the need of the moment. The index includes topics like forgiveness, patience, serving others, praising God and more.

Is it true you are doing a FREE LIVE Story Time with My Tender Heart Devotions this summer?

Yes, Paraclete Press is hosting their first Zoom summertime story hour and I’m thrilled to be participating on July 25th at 11:30 ET with an exclusive pre-release reading of My Tender Heart Devotions. You can register here:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dhEP8nLGSAe7-ZUIOyL2hA#/registration  

And if you want to help me pick which FIVE devotions to read, here’s the table of contents. Let me know what your choices are by leaving a comment.  I’ll add them to my running tally.

Finally, where can we find out more about you and your books?  

My books are available wherever books are sold. You can find out more about me and all my books on my website:  https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/  To get the free downloadable activity kit that goes with My Tender Heart Devotions, visit www.mytenderheartbooks.com

I also love connecting on my socials at:  

https://www.facebook.com/LauraassiTales

twitter.com/laurasassitales

https://www.instagram.com/laurasassitales

Thank you, Laura. I hope some of our readers attend the story time—it sounds like fun! We love having you as our guest and hope to feature you again.

Crystal 

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