Are you one of those people who shop for Christmas in July? If you are, and even if you’re not, I can’t wait to share a new Christian Children’s book by a brand new Christian Children’s author: Christa P. Shepherd. It’s called The Ill-Tempered Clavier. Clavier is a grumpy little rat who lives with his parents and siblings in an old church house. He is often in trouble and, therefore, ill-tempered. Likewise, if you haven’t studied music as Christa has, you may not know about a famous collection of preludes written by Bach. In Bach’s time, the collection was played on the clavier, which is a precursor to the piano. They are known as The Well-Tempered Clavier.

What is the Well-Tempered Clavier?

The Well-Tempered Clavier is a collection of music written by Johann Sebastian Bach. If you are interested in understanding more about Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, here’s a video explaining the work. I bet you will recognize a few of the tunes. This body of work went on to inspire many other pieces of music. Surprisingly, it also inspired Christa Shepherd to write a magical children’s book called The Ill-Tempered Clavier.

The Ill-Tempered Clavier

The story takes place in the 1950s in a small midwestern town’s old church. Right away, you meet a fuzzy little rat named Clavier. Clavier has gotten in trouble and is left behind by his family on Christmas Eve. This leads his curious little mind to discover something strange and new in the attic of the church. He follows a mysterious old man and eventually finds a musical secret.

A Christmas surprise is being planned for the church guests. However, it is not the planned surprise that will shock and delight readers. They’ll see a unique friendship form as a transformation happens in Clavier’s heart. Readers will discover that it’s possible to change their tune, changing from grumpy to joy. Additionally, the help that the little rat offers a mysterious man will strike a chord with every reader. I couldn’t stop reading it.

Meet Christa P. Shepherd, a First-Time Children’s Author

I met Christa through EA Books Publishing. She is a mom and music teacher who is passionate about children’s literature. She holds a master’s in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Inspired by a love for music, the children in her life, and the bedtime stories her father told her when she was young, she was led to write and illustrate this adorable story. She searched for an editor and found our own Christian Children’s author, Crystal Bowman. After Crystal edited the book, she recommended that Christa contact EA Books Publishing. EA Books Publishing partners with authors to publish and market their books. Christa’s book is one that I am very proud to have been a part of. I cannot wait to share it with the children in my life for Christmas in July or any time of year.

If you have a story you would like to publish, I would love to talk to you, too. Email me at dstephens@eabookspublishing.com. Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from the Children’s Christian Authors Blog. Follow us for book reviews, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement.  #christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #christianauthors #christianwriters #christianteachers #christianbooksforkids #christianchildrensbook #christianchildrensbooks #christianhomeschool #dawnstephens #illtemperedclavier #christashepherd

By Dawn Stephens