BookWorthy

Valerie Fentress
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Stories for Kids
  • Updated Weekly

Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?  The award-winning 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. 4d ago

    Teaching Kids Faith Through Adventure and Mystery with Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, authors Gail Veitenheimer and Jen Weaver discuss their children's book series, The Mystery of the Missing Falls, which combines engaging detective stories with Christian discipleship themes. They explore how storytelling can teach kids about hearing God's voice, identity in Christ, and faith in everyday life, making complex spiritual concepts accessible and relatable for young readers. https://kingswellkids.com  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Dynamic Duo 02:25 The Inspiration Behind Kingswell Kid Detectives 05:04 Character Dynamics: Luca and Ember 07:41 Exploring Faith Through Fiction 10:12 Hearing God: A Central Theme 13:26 Future Books and Themes 17:14 The Power of Story in Discipleship 20:16 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Releases Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    Teaching Kids Faith Through Adventure and Mystery with Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer

  2. Sep 23

    How Children's Books Can Plant Seeds of the Spirit with Dawn Caldwell DeWulf

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, children's author Dawn De Wulf shares her journey of writing faith-based children's books, focusing on the fruits of the Spirit and the importance of planting seeds of faith early in life. She discusses her creative process, the lessons behind her series, and how she aims to inspire young readers to grow in their faith and character. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Dawn Caldwell-DeWolf and Her Mission 02:17 The Picking the Fruit of the Spirit Series 04:44 Exploring the Themes of Patience, Sharing, and Kindness 07:33 Understanding Joy and Its Importance 09:49 The Latest Book: I Don't Like Faithfulness 13:04 The Importance of Faithfulness in Relationships 15:48 Dawn's Journey to Becoming a Writer 17:46 Favorite Books and Their Impact 20:42 What's Next for Dawn Caldwell-DeWolf Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    How Children's Books Can Plant Seeds of the Spirit with Dawn Caldwell DeWulf

  3. Sep 16

    When Horses Teach Us About Hope: A Conversation with Kathryn O’Neill

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, author Kathy O'Neill shares her journey from horse-loving kid to author of 'Hoofprints of Hope,' a devotional blending faith and science for young readers. Discover her insights on the spiritual lessons from horses, her writing process, and her involvement with Right to Ignite. See the Blog Version of this post at www.valeriefentress.com/blog  Kathy O'Neill | Author, Speaker, Art Educator Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Hoof Prince of Hope 02:37 The Connection Between Horses and Faith 05:17 Writing for Children: A Journey from Teaching 08:06 Lessons from Horses: Patience and God's Presence 10:32 The Role of Writing in Kathy's Life 13:15 Right to Ignite: Supporting Christian Children's Writers 15:55 Future Projects and Closing Thoughts Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    When Horses Teach Us About Hope: A Conversation with Kathryn O’Neill

  4. Sep 9

    How Fairy Tales Inspire Modern YA Fantasy with Angie Dickerson

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, author Angie Dickerson discusses her YA fantasy novel 'The Star Blessed,' her inspiration from fairy tales like Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin, and her journey as a writer. She shares insights into world-building, themes of courage and hope, and her love for retelling fairy tales. See this Episode's Blog post Here: www.valeriefentress.com/blog Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Fairy Tale Retellings 02:01 Exploring The Star Blessed 04:07 Character Development and Personal Experiences 06:48 Themes of Sacrifice and Perseverance 09:18 The Journey of Writing YA Fantasy 11:24 The Allure of Fairy Tale Retellings 14:47 Impactful Books and Their Influence 17:43 Looking Ahead: Future Projects Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    How Fairy Tales Inspire Modern YA Fantasy with Angie Dickerson

  5. Sep 2

    Art, Faith, and Self Discovery with Carolyn Leiloglou

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog Carolyn Leiloglou discusses her middle-grade series, The Restorationists, and the inspiration behind it. The series takes place in a world where art is powerful and paintings are portals. The first book, Beneath This Rolling Sky, follows Vincent as he discovers his family's role as Restorationists and tries to protect his sister. The second book, Between Flowers and Bones, shifts to Georgia's perspective as she grapples with her own insecurities and learns the value of her unique gifts. Carolyn shares her own journey as a writer and the impact of books like The Chronicles of Narnia. She also emphasizes the importance of creativity and encourages kids to embrace their own creative abilities. The Restorationist Book 1: Beneath the Swirling Sky Takeaways The Restorationists is a middle-grade series that explores a world where art is powerful, and paintings are portals. The first book, Beneath This Rolling Sky, follows Vincent as he discovers his family's role as Restorationists and tries to protect his sister. The second book, Between Flowers and Bones, shifts to Georgia's perspective as she grapples with her own insecurities and learns the value of her unique gifts. Carolyn emphasizes the importance of creativity and encourages kids to embrace their own creative abilities. Books like The Chronicles of Narnia have had a profound impact on Carolyn's life and inspired her own writing journey. Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Random Question 03:00 The Restorationists: A Middle-Grade Adventure 08:02 Embracing Creativity: Lessons from The Restorationists 11:46 The Power of Art: Inspiration and Impact 21:37 Future of The Restorationists and Where to Find Carolyn   Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    Art, Faith, and Self Discovery with Carolyn Leiloglou

  6. Aug 26

    The Great Advantage of Faith in Fantasy with Megan Schaulis

    Send us Fan Mail Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode, author Megan Schaulis discusses her YA duology, The Susa Chronicles. Book One, Protector, is inspired by the book of Esther and follows the story of Novalice, a brave heroine who becomes the king's bodyguard. Book Two, Proclaimer, is set to release in April. Megan shares how her faith and personal experiences influenced the writing of the series, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with God and the labels He gives us. She also discusses her love for YA literature and the impact it can have on young adults' journey of self-discovery and faith. Takeaways  The Susa Chronicles is a YA duology inspired by the book of Esther, with Book One, Protector, already released and Book Two, Proclaimer, set to release in April. The series explores themes of faith, identity, and the importance of our relationship with God. Megan emphasizes that our faith is our greatest advantage and that our identity is defined by God, not the labels the world gives us. YA literature plays a significant role in helping young adults navigate their journey of self-discovery and faith. Chapters   00:00 Introduction to The Susa Chronicles 04:46 The Plot of Protector 09:21 The Power of Our Relationship with God 13:41 Megan's Journey as an Author 15:43 Favorite Books and Impactful Reads 21:31 What's Next for Megan 23:38 Conclusion   Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    The Great Advantage of Faith in Fantasy with Megan Schaulis

  7. Aug 19

    How to Help Kids Take Jesus to School with April Graney

    Send us Fan Mail The blog version of this episode is available at www.valeriefentress.com/blog In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews author April Graney about her latest book, 'If Jesus Came to My School.' The conversation explores the themes of kindness, support in public schools, and the importance of instilling values in children. April shares her experiences as a middle school teacher and her journey as a writer, emphasizing the impact of literature on young minds. The discussion also touches on favorite books and resources for parents navigating the challenges of public schooling.  If Jesus Came to My School  Takeaways April Graney's book encourages children to embody the values of Jesus. The importance of kindness and support in school environments. Children can be a light in dark places through their actions. Literature can play a significant role in shaping young minds. Public schools can be a mission field for families. April's writing journey began with a childhood desire to be an author. The significance of having conversations about bullying with children. Support for families in public schools is crucial. Picture books can communicate profound truths in simple ways. Organizations exist to help parents and teachers navigate public schooling.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to April Graney and Her Book 03:10 The Impact of Jesus in Schools 06:12 Supporting Families in Public Schools 09:04 April's Writing Journey 12:00 Favorite Books and Their Influence 18:04 Future Projects and Resources for Parents Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    How to Help Kids Take Jesus to School with April Graney

  8. Aug 12

    The Mythmakers, the Magic, and the Making of a Creative Life: A Replay Conversation with John Hendrix

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Valerie interviews John Hendrix, a New York Times bestselling illustrator and author of children's books. They discuss his latest book, 'The Mythmakers,' which explores the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and their impact on storytelling and literature. They also talk about the power of myth and fantasy, the complexities of friendship, and the importance of community for artists. John shares his advice for parents of creative children and gives a sneak peek into his upcoming projects. Takeaways The Mythmakers explores the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and their influence on storytelling and literature. Myth and fantasy have the power to convey truth and engage readers of all backgrounds. Friendship can be complex, and it's important to have mutual respect and love even when disagreements arise. Artists should embrace their interests and create work that is interesting and engaging, regardless of whether it is explicitly faith-based. Encourage children's creativity by providing them with art supplies and opportunities to practice and share their work. Art doesn't have to be perfect; it's about the process and expression. Community is essential for artists, and being part of a supportive creative community can enhance one's work. John Hendrix has upcoming projects, including the release of The Mythmakers and a follow-up to his book Drawing is Magic.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 04:47 The Power of Myth and Fantasy in Storytelling 12:45 Navigating the Complexities of Friendship 23:30 Encouraging Children's Artistic Journey 28:13 Upcoming Projects: 'The Mythmakers' and More Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    The Mythmakers, the Magic, and the Making of a Creative Life: A Replay Conversation with John Hendrix
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About

Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?  The award-winning 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
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BookWorthy
  • Show Website
    BookWorthy

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