BookWorthy

Valerie Fentress
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Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?  The BookWorthy Podcast is your weekly guide to help Christian parents cut through the noise and find books that actually matter. Each week, award-winning children's author Valerie Fentress chats with authors about stories that help kids process big feelings, grow in faith, and see God’s goodness in everyday life.  Think of it as your trusted book buddy for raising readers who love Jesus. Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog

  1. The Power of a Smile with Kat Kronenberg

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Power of a Smile with Kat Kronenberg

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Kat Cronenberg, author of the 'Live Big' series. They discuss the inspiration behind Kat's books, her writing journey, and the importance of teaching children life skills through storytelling. Kat shares her experiences with animals and nature, and how these elements influence her work. The conversation highlights the impact of books on children's lives and the messages of hope and joy that resonate throughout her stories. Live Big with Catch-M Book (affiliate link)  Kat Kronenberg   Takeaways Kat's books aim to help children learn life skills. The inspiration for writing came from a desire to help others. Animals and nature play a significant role in her storytelling. The journey of writing is often filled with challenges and perseverance. Books can provide hope and encouragement to children in difficult situations. Kat's experiences with her children influenced her writing process. The importance of community and support in pursuing dreams. Ketchum, a character in her books, represents joy and positivity. The impact of storytelling on personal growth and understanding. Future projects include a workbook to help children internalize positive messages. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kat and Her Books 02:01 The Journey of Writing and Inspiration 08:00 The Role of Animals and Nature in Storytelling 11:12 The Impact of Books on Children 18:25 Future Projects and Messages of Hope Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    22 min
  2. Narwhals Teach Faith and Science with Jennifer Jahn

    1 APR

    Narwhals Teach Faith and Science with Jennifer Jahn

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie speaks with children's author Jennifer Jahn about her debut picture book, 'God's Wonderful Wide World.' They discuss the themes of God's creation, individuality, and the importance of teaching children about their uniqueness and God's love. Jennifer shares her writing journey, the publishing process, and her inspirations, including her favorite books and authors. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Jennifer's upcoming projects. God's Wonderful Wide World Book (affiliate link)  JBJahn  Takeaways  The narwhal is a unique character that helps explore God's creation. Children should learn about their individuality and God's love from a young age. Writing has been a passion for Jennifer since childhood. The publishing process requires patience and trust in professionals. Wuthering Heights is Jennifer's all-time favorite book. Kate DiCamillo inspires Jennifer's writing aspirations. Graphic novels are popular among Jennifer's children. Jennifer has a second book about stars coming out in 2027. God's creation is relevant and meaningful for today's children. The conversation emphasizes the importance of engaging children with faith-based themes.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Jahn and Her Book 01:35 Exploring God's Wonderful Wide World 04:25 The Unique Narwhal and God's Creation 06:16 The Importance of Teaching Kids About God 07:52 Jennifer's Writing Journey 09:23 The Process of Writing a Debut Book 11:09 Favorite Books and Influences 13:25 Current Reads and Trends in Children's Literature 16:54 What's Next for Jennifer Jahn Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    19 min
  3. Discovering Magic in Everyday Creativity with Lara d'Entremont

    25 MAR

    Discovering Magic in Everyday Creativity with Lara d'Entremont

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews author Lara d'Entremont about her YA fantasy novel, The Painted Fairy Tale. The story follows 17-year-old Wren, who discovers her paintings can open portals to other worlds, leading her on an adventurous journey. Lara shares her inspiration, writing journey, and the message she hopes young readers take away from her book. The Painted Fairytale Book (affiliate link) Lara d'Entremont Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube Takeaways Art can open portals to new worlds.Creativity is a powerful tool for self-discovery.YA novels can tackle complex themes.Fantasy allows exploration of real-world issues.Writing can be a therapeutic practice.Art serves a purpose beyond practicality.Stories are formative and impactful.Fiction can provide a creative escape.Persistence is key in writing.Artistic expression is valuable.Chapters 00:00:01 Introduction to The Painted Fairy Tale 00:01:48 Lara's Writing Journey 00:03:50 Inspiration Behind the Story 00:06:45 The Message for Young Readers 00:10:02 Lara's Favorite Books and Influences 00:17:13 What's Next for Lara d'Entremont Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    19 min
  4. The Gift of Diversity and Culture in Stories with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

    18 MAR

    The Gift of Diversity and Culture in Stories with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie speaks with author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young about her journey as a children's book author, focusing on her latest work, 'Kailani's Gift.' They discuss themes of perseverance, family, and cultural diversity in literature, and the importance of storytelling in teaching children values. Dorina shares her experiences in writing and her passion for promoting multicultural stories, emphasizing the significance of empathy and understanding through literature. The conversation also touches on Dorina's upcoming projects, including a journal on grief and collaborative efforts by authors to celebrate diversity.  Home - Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young  Kailani's Gift (affiliate link) Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube Takeaways Dorina's book 'Kailani's Gift' emphasizes perseverance and family values. The journey of writing 'Kailani's Gift' took over 10 years. Children can learn important values through storytelling. Multicultural stories help children appreciate diversity. Collaboration among authors can enhance the literary community. Cultural traditions can be integrated into family life. Storytelling is a powerful tool for teaching empathy. Grief can be addressed through writing and journaling. Diversity in literature reflects God's creation. Children's literature should represent various cultures. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young 01:20 The Journey of Writing Kailani's Gift 03:23 Themes of Perseverance and Family in Kailani's Gift 07:33 The Importance of Multicultural Stories 11:23 Celebrating Diversity in Literature 14:35 Cultural Traditions and Family Connections 17:40 The Power of Storytelling 19:04 Upcoming Projects and Grief Journey 20:43 Conclusion and Resources Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    21 min
  5. Season Eight Bonus with Shaun Stevenson and Brock Eastman

    11 MAR

    Season Eight Bonus with Shaun Stevenson and Brock Eastman

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this Bonus episode of Bookworthy, hosts Valerie, Shaun Stevenson, and Brock Eastman discuss the Parable Port series, a middle-grade book that brings biblical parables to life through engaging storytelling. They explore the creative process behind the book, the importance of collaboration, and the relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The authors share their journey of writing together, their passion for creating quality content for children, and their plans for the series. Parable Port: The Sower's Secret (affiliate link)  Welcome to Brock Eastman  shaunstevensonbooks.com Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube Takeaways  Parable Port is a unique blend of mystery and biblical parables. The target audience for the book is middle-grade readers aged 8 to 12. The authors emphasize collaboration and teamwork in their writing process. They aim to create relatable characters that resonate with children. The series started as a picture book and evolved into a middle-grade novel. The authors enjoy a fun and humorous writing dynamic together. They focus on making biblical teachings organic to the story. The inclusion of Silky Chickens was a humorous suggestion from their editor. The authors believe in the importance of quality Christian literature for kids. They have plans for future books beyond the current series. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Parable Port and Its Authors 03:25 The Concept and Themes of Parable Port 09:38 The Collaborative Writing Process 14:27 The Impact of Teamwork in Writing 17:08 Personal Influences and Impactful Books 18:35 Future Plans and Upcoming Projects   Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    26 min
  6. Exploring God and the Universe with Mark Wainwright

    11 MAR

    Exploring God and the Universe with Mark Wainwright

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews Mark Wainwright, an author and editor with over 18 years of experience in Christian publishing. They discuss Mark's latest book, "Awesome Facts About Space," which combines science and faith to engage young readers. The conversation covers fascinating space facts, the integration of faith and science, and Mark's personal writing journey. Mark Wainwright | Your Writing & Editing Mentor Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube Takeaways Mark Wainwright has over 18 years of experience in Christian publishing. His book 'Awesome Facts About Space' combines science and faith for children. The book is divided into five sections covering various space topics. Pulsars are city-sized stars that spin incredibly fast, up to 700 times per second. Mark emphasizes the importance of faith in understanding the universe. He shares a personal story about feeling God's love while stargazing. Mark believes that creation draws us closer to our Savior. He discusses interesting space facts that didn't make it into the book. Mark's writing journey began with journaling during his family's missionary work. He aims to provide engaging books that point readers to the Savior. Chapters: 00:00:01 - Introduction to Mark Wainwright 00:00:45 - Awesome Facts About Space 00:02:07 - Faith and Science in Harmony 00:03:39 - Mark's Writing Journey 00:09:33 - The Power of Storytelling Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    41 min
  7. A Middle-Grade Prankster Helps Readers Explore their hearts with Bonnie Swinehart

    4 MAR

    A Middle-Grade Prankster Helps Readers Explore their hearts with Bonnie Swinehart

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews children's author Bonnie S. Weinhardt about her Bingees series, which follows the adventures of an 11-year-old boy named Benji in the 1930s. They discuss the inspiration behind the series, the character of Benjy, and the themes of humor, faith, and decision-making in the stories. Bonnie shares her journey as a writer, the influence of her journalism background, and her future writing projects, including a young adult novel based on her life experiences. Benjy Book Series (affiliate link) Bonnie Swinehart: Home Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube  Takeaways  Bonnie's books aim to instill Christian values in children. The character Benji is relatable and humorous, appealing to young readers. Bonnie's journalism background helps her write concisely and engagingly. Humor is a key element in making stories memorable for children. The importance of community and support is a recurring theme in Bonnie's writing. Bonnie's writing journey began in her youth, fueled by a love for reading. The Benjy's series reflects the simplicity and challenges of childhood. Bonnie's future projects include a young adult novel based on her life. The impact of impactful books can shape a writer's perspective. Stories can provide hope and connection in difficult times. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to the Benjy’s Series 02:34 The Character of Benjy and His Adventures 05:08 The Influence of Journalism on Writing 08:00 Themes and Messages in Benjy's Stories 10:27 The Importance of Humor in Writing 13:00 Bonnie's Journey as a Writer 15:50 Impactful Books and Their Influence 18:27 Future Projects and Aspirations Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    20 min
  8. The Colorful World of Hadley the Hippo with Kayla E. Green

    25 FEB

    The Colorful World of Hadley the Hippo with Kayla E. Green

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Kayla E. Green, an award-winning YA fantasy author who has ventured into children's literature with her picture book 'Hadley the Hippo.' They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of conversations about what children consume, both in terms of food and media, and Kayla's journey as a writer and teacher. Kayla shares her favorite books and their impact on her life, as well as what readers can expect from her upcoming projects. Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats (affiliate link)  The Unicorn Writer – Faith. Fiction. Fireside Poetry. Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12. Follow over on YouTube   Takeaways  Kayla's journey into writing began in elementary school. 'Hadley the Hippo' is inspired by her daughter's love for food. Books can serve as conversation starters for families. It's important for children to understand what they consume mentally and emotionally. Kayla emphasizes the importance of teaching children to guard their hearts. She believes in the power of read-alouds for all ages. Kayla's teaching experience has shaped her storytelling. Different books impact us at different stages of life. Kayla's favorite books include 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' and 'Matilda.' She is working on a young adult pirate fantasy and a sequel to 'The Goodness of Unicorns.' Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kayla E. Green and Hadley the Hippo 01:49 The Inspiration Behind Hadley the Hippo 04:55 The Message of Hadley and Its Importance 09:14 Kayla's Writing Journey and Teaching Background 14:48 Favorite Books and Their Impact 20:15 What's Next for Kayla E. Green?   Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    22 min
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About

Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?  The BookWorthy Podcast is your weekly guide to help Christian parents cut through the noise and find books that actually matter. Each week, award-winning children's author Valerie Fentress chats with authors about stories that help kids process big feelings, grow in faith, and see God’s goodness in everyday life.  Think of it as your trusted book buddy for raising readers who love Jesus. Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog

Information

  • Creator
    Valerie Fentress
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BookWorthy
  • Show Website
    BookWorthy

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