I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the amazing author, Laura Sassi, about her new book, Happy Easter, Risen King. I know you’ll enjoy finding out “the rest of the story” about her new book. I certainly did! Look for her new book and order it in time for the kiddos to read it over and over before Easter.

How long did it take for the book to come to life from the initial idea to launch day? 

From initial idea to launch day was a mere 10 months!  This is highly unusual in the publishing world, but this is how it happened.  My editor at Paraclete Press asked if I might be interested in writing a companion book to my popular Christmas title Happy Birthday, Christmas Child. I responded, “Of course!” and immediately got to work playing with different ideas.  By April, I had a solid working draft. After several rounds of revision and feedback from my critique partners, I subbed a final version to my agent in early May, and signed the contract in June. Illustrator Gabi Murphy began illustrating in July. Everything from that point moved forward systematically so that the book was ready to hit shelves on schedule on January 6th, 2026. 

What message do you hope children will take away from reading your book?

I hope Happy Easter, Risen King will serve as a joyful first introduction to Easter and that, after reading it, children will be filled with a sense of how special Jesus is and that He loves them very much.

What is your favorite part of the book?

I like the joyful simplicity of the story and how, when writing it, I was able to combine my love of rhyme with colors to create a fresh retelling that conveys the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar in a way that will engage our littlest ones.  And I’m over-the-moon with Gabi’s illustrations. They are my favorite part because the story wouldn’t be the same without her glorious visuals.

How many books have you written?

This is my 13th book, with the 14th in queue to release this coming November. My first published book was Goodnight, Ark which debuted in 2014 was a 2015 Christian Book Award finalist and continues to be my bestselling title.  Each year (almost) thereafter, I’ve had a new book out.  Following on the heels of Goodnight, Ark, several others have garnered extra notice too, including Love is Kind, which was a 2020 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor Book, Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse, which was a 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award Nominee, Bunny Finds Easter, which won the 2022 Northern Lights Book Award in the Holiday/Notable Days Category, and My Tender Heart Devotions, which was a 2024 Christianity Today Book Award finalist. 

Can you give us a hint about your next book?

I’m expecting the book cover to start popping up on various websites soon, but until then, here’s the book announcement:

Inspired by my daughter who called lullabies “love-a-bies” when she was a toddler,  Love-a-By is a rhyming celebration of the special bond between caregiver and baby. I can’t wait for little ones and their families to snuggle up and enjoy this heart-tugging bedtime read.

Oh, and those adorable baby pics framing the announcement are of my two kiddos who both loved lullabies, er I mean love-a-bies when they were little.

What is the best part of writing for children?

The best part of writing for children is that they are so open to wonders of storytelling. Time and age haven’t yet dampened their vivid imaginations. I also enjoy how at school visits children respond in ways that are so authentic. If the story resonates, they’ll let you know. If it doesn’t, they’ll let you know that, too! And if something is new or confusing or if they have questions, they will ask! They keep me young and on my toes. 

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Post by Julie Lavender