Though many of my fellow author friends say they knew from childhood they wanted to be a writer, I didn’t stumble upon the idea of becoming a children’s writer until I was well into my career as an elementary school teacher. I’d loved kids’ books since … well, since I was a kid, but my passion for picture books grew exponentially with each story I read to my students. I fell more and more in love with kiddie lit and wanted to try my hand at writing a book I could read to my classroom.

After a host of rejections, I turned my attention to magazine articles and curriculum. God led me down a different path, and most of my early writing acceptances focused on faith-based writing for adults.

Yet, I never gave up the dream to write for children.

In the next three decades, God blessed me with books, articles, devotionals, a writing contest win that gave me Guideposts Magazine opportunities, a guest spot on a Focus on the Family Broadcast episode, and frequent speaking engagements.

But, the dream of writing for children just kept flickering in the back of my heart.

Just when I thought it must be His plan for me to use the gift of writing He gave me for adult pieces only, God placed an amazing opportunity in my hands. I signed a contract to write Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime for Penguin Random House, my first book for children.

It’s hard to express the joy I have for penning a book that shares God’s Word with little ones! Fifty-two Bible stories to point little ones to the love of God and gift of Jesus Christ.

My first children’s picture book, published by End Game Press, came out a couple of years later. Written for the general market, A Gingerbread House focuses on home and family.

After my husband retired at the end of 2023, the two of us began writing educational books for school libraries. So far, we’ve written twenty-two, mostly about animals, and we hope to add to our list with new publications soon.

David’s entomology career and wildlife biology career enhance our research greatly, and I often tell people I have a live-in science expert to aid my writing.

I love the writing journey God has taken me on. From the first nudge to become a children’s writer while teaching school, to the adult writing that followed, and then back to the publication of children’s books, I feel like God has brought me full circle. My passion began with educating children in my younger days as a teacher, and He’s led me right back to that love in my not-so-younger days. It’s been quite an adventure, and I’m very grateful.

Some of my books include 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories (Revell), Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime (Penguin Random House), Strength for All Seasons: A Mom’s Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers (Penguin Random House), A Gingerbread House (End Game Press), and Raising Good Sons: Christian Parenting Principles for Nurturing Boys of Faith and Character (Penguin Random House).