BookWorthy

Valerie Fentress
  • 5.0 (12)
  • STORIES FOR KIDS
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Join children's author Valerie Fentress for weekly Author Chats to find books that are good for your kids' heart and soul.

  1. Emotional Growth Through Storytelling with Kathleen Davis

    2D AGO

    Emotional Growth Through Storytelling with Kathleen Davis

    Send a text In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie speaks with children's author Kathleen about her journey as a writer and the themes of her latest book, 'Our Hearts.' Kathleen shares insights on the importance of emotional development in children, the role of children's literature in addressing complex feelings, and her personal experiences that inspired her writing. The conversation also touches on the challenges of publishing and the significance of fostering a sense of belonging and love in children's lives.  Kathleen Davis Books – Faith based books for kids, signed by the author, shipped for free.  Takeaways  Books are a way to positively influence children. Children's emotions affect those around them. Recognizing feelings is crucial for emotional growth. Children's books can facilitate important discussions. Parents can use books to communicate complex ideas simply. Writing can be a therapeutic outlet for parents. It's important for children to feel loved and supported. Diversity in children's literature is essential. Encouraging gratitude can help combat anxiety. Every child is unique and beautiful in their own way. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Kathleen and Her Book 02:22 Exploring the Themes of 'Our Hearts' 04:40 The Role of Children's Books in Emotional Development 09:13 The Inspiration Behind 'Our Hearts' 13:06 The Journey of Writing and Publishing 17:43 Looking Ahead: Kathleen's Upcoming Book 21:06 Conclusion and Resources Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    23 min
  2. A Journey into The Black Cyclone with John Kennedy Howard

    FEB 4

    A Journey into The Black Cyclone with John Kennedy Howard

    Send us a text In this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews cycling legend John Howard, who discusses his latest book, The Black Cyclone, which tells the story of Major Taylor, the first acclaimed African-American sports hero. Howard shares insights into the extensive research he conducted to bring Taylor's story to life, the challenges Taylor faced in a racially charged environment, and the lessons young readers can learn from his life. Howard also reflects on his own experiences in cycling and his future writing projects.     Takeaways Major Taylor was a pioneering figure in cycling and civil rights. John Howard spent years researching Major Taylor's life and achievements. The Black Cyclone aims to educate young readers about history and perseverance. Howard's interviews with Taylor's daughter provided unique insights into his life. Major Taylor faced significant racism and adversity during his career. The book will have a children's version to reach a younger audience. Howard's own cycling experiences were influenced by Major Taylor's legacy. The importance of storytelling in preserving history is emphasized. Howard is working on an autobiographical piece about his life. The conversation highlights the ongoing relevance of civil rights discussions today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to John Howard and Major Taylor 02:16 The Legacy of Major Taylor 04:47 Researching Major Taylor's Life 07:29 Writing for Younger Readers 09:40 Personal Impact of Major Taylor's Story 12:02 Major Taylor's Endurance and Challenges 15:08 Cultural Significance of Major Taylor 17:39 Lessons for Today's Youth 20:05 Future Projects and Inspirations Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    26 min
  3. Exploring Wild Faith with Valerie Ellis- A Devotional for Kids

    JAN 28

    Exploring Wild Faith with Valerie Ellis- A Devotional for Kids

    Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie Ellis discusses her latest book, 'Wild Faith Devotions for Kids,' which explores the connection between animal traits and Christian teachings. Valerie shares her journey as a writer, the research involved in selecting animals for the book, and the importance of fostering wonder in children. She also reflects on her writing process and future projects, emphasizing the role of faith in parenting and education. Valerie Ellis – Delighting Kids, Serving Parents https://oureverydayparables.com/family-games-all-ages/  https://oureverydayparables.com/books/   Takeaways Valerie's book connects animal traits to Christian teachings. The Importance of Grace in Children's Spiritual Growth Researching animals requires careful validation of information. Kids' curiosity can lead to deeper discussions about faith. Using animals as a tool to foster wonder in children. Valerie's writing journey began with a desire to engage her children. The significance of including lesser-known Bible stories. Valerie emphasizes the importance of community in the writing process. Encouraging children to explore their interests can lead to faith discussions. Valerie's future projects aim to continue engaging children in faith-based learning.   Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Wild Faith Devotions 02:36 Exploring Animal Traits and Christian Life 05:24 Researching Animals for Devotional Insights 08:34 Bizarre Animals and Their Lessons 11:24 Fostering Wonder in Children 13:54 Valerie's Writing Journey 20:37 Future Projects and Goals Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    29 min
  4. Discovering WWII Mysteries with Nell Branum

    JAN 21

    Discovering WWII Mysteries with Nell Branum

    Send us a text In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews Nell Branum, a former elementary school librarian and author of the 'Heroes on the Home Front' series. They discuss Nell's inspiration for her books, which blend contemporary mysteries with historical elements from World War II, focusing on the stories of women who contributed to the war effort. The conversation explores the importance of intergenerational storytelling, the lessons learned from history, and Nell's writing journey. Listeners will gain insights into the significance of faith and resilience in both literature and life, as well as a sneak peek into Nell's upcoming works. Home - Nell Branum Search | Christian Books Takeaways  Nell Branum's books are contemporary mysteries rooted in World War II history. The series features a sixth grader, Riley Abercrombie, who uncovers real-life mysteries. Nell's parents were involved in World War II, influencing her writing. Intergenerational conversations are vital for understanding history. Nell aims to show that being a Christian is both possible and smart. Each book includes a scripture from Ephesians, emphasizing faith. Nell's writing journey began with curriculum writing and evolved into fiction. She has a tradition of publishing books with her grandchildren. The upcoming book focuses on the women who fed soldiers during the war. Nell believes history teaches us valuable lessons for today.   Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Nell Branum and Her Books 02:43 Exploring the Heroes on the Home Front Series 06:18 The Contemporary vs. Historical Narrative 10:02 The Heart of the Stories: Lessons from History 14:12 Nell's Writing Journey and Inspirations 19:31 Upcoming Works and Historical Inspirations Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    22 min
  5. Play it Again with Abbi Lee

    JAN 14

    Play it Again with Abbi Lee

    Send us a text Abby Lee, author of Geocache Club, Ghost Town Treasure Hunt, discusses her book and the concept of geocaching. Geocaching is a modern-day treasure-hunting activity where participants hide and find containers, called geocaches, using GPS coordinates. Abby shares her personal experiences with geocaching and explains the different types of geocaches. She also talks about the inspiration behind her book and how it incorporates themes of friendship, history, and dealing with change. Abby discusses her journey as an author and her favorite books. She also gives a sneak peek into the upcoming books in the Geocache Club series. Geocache Club Series – Abbi Lee Books Takeaways  Geocaching is a modern-day treasure-hunting activity where participants hide and find containers using GPS coordinates. The Geocache Club book series explores themes of friendship, history, and dealing with change. Abby Lee drew inspiration from the story of Forrest Finn, who hid a treasure chest in the Rocky Mountains and combined it with her love for geocaching. The books in the Geocache Club series aim to encourage kids to explore their towns, discover hidden gems, and appreciate history. Abby Lee is currently working on the second and third books in the Geocache Club series.   Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Geocache Club and Abby Lee 03:36 Friendship, History, and Change in Geocache Club 04:55 Inspiration and Kansas in Geocache Club 05:23 The Journey of an Author: Abby Lee 09:05 Favorite Books and Impactful Reads 12:05 What's Next in the Geocache Club Series?       Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    25 min
  6. Play it Again with Dominique Okonkwo

    JAN 7

    Play it Again with Dominique Okonkwo

    Send us a text In this episode, Valerie interviews Dominique Okonkwo, the author of the rhyming picture book 'No Greater Love.' They discuss Dominique's inspiration for the book, the challenges of explaining God's love to children, and the importance of faith-based stories for kids. Dominique also shares her writing journey and her plans for future books. Overall, the conversation highlights the power of storytelling to teach and entertain children while reinforcing biblical truths. Writer Portfolio | Dominique Okonkwo | Miami Motherhood Takeaways  Children's books can be a powerful tool to teach and reinforce biblical truths. Explaining abstract concepts like God's love to children can be challenging but important. Writing can be a therapeutic and fulfilling creative outlet. There is a growing appreciation for creativity and the arts in our culture. Personal experiences and questions from children can inspire and shape the stories we write. It's important to pursue the things that God puts on our hearts, even if they don't fit traditional career paths. Favorite books from childhood can have a lasting impact and be enjoyed across generations. Children's books have evolved to cater to shorter attention spans, but there is still value in longer, meatier stories. Devotionals and journals can be valuable tools for personal growth and connecting with God's word. Writing stories that engage children's questions and interests can help them connect with biblical truths. There is a need for diverse children's books that highlight different cultures and experiences. Social media and websites are valuable platforms for connecting with readers and promoting books. Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Favorite Pie 03:05 Teaching Children About God's Love 06:20 Inspiration and Questions from Children 10:58 Dominique's Writing Journey 12:56 Favorite Books and Impact 15:25 Evolution of Children's Books 23:24 Connecting with Dominique and Conclusion Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    25 min
  7. Play it Again with Amanda Cleary Eastep

    12/31/2025

    Play it Again with Amanda Cleary Eastep

    Send us a text  In this Play it Again episode from Season Four of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Amanda Cleary Eastep, author of the Tree Street Kids series. Amanda shares her inspiration for her recent trip to India and how it influenced her writing. She discusses the fifth book in the series, The Beastie of Brambly Bald, and the themes of family dynamics and curiosity that are explored. Amanda also talks about engaging middle-grade readers and the importance of playfulness and humor in children's literature. She shares her favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time, and the impact they had on her. Finally, Amanda discusses her future projects and where to find more information about her and her books.    Takeaways Travel experiences can inspire and influence writing. Engaging middle-grade readers requires playfulness and curiosity. Children's literature should explore themes of family dynamics and different perspectives. Books have the power to impact and inspire readers. Future projects include continuing the Tree Street Kids series and exploring new adventures.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Random Question 01:25 Inspiration for Trip to India 03:40 Inspiration for Book: The Beastie of Brambly Bald 07:05 Engaging Middle Grade Readers 10:27 Writing Playful and Curious Stories 15:07 Themes in The Beastie of Brambly Bald 17:01 Exploring Relationships and Different Perspectives 18:26 Favorite Books: To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time 21:36 Impact of Books and Writing 23:36 Future Projects 25:03 Where to Find More Information 26:00 Conclusion   Amanda Cleary Eastep – Author, Tree Street Kids series     Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    27 min
  8. Play it Again Christmas Edition with Author Courtney Strong and Illustrator Carissa Robertson

    12/24/2025

    Play it Again Christmas Edition with Author Courtney Strong and Illustrator Carissa Robertson

    Send us a text In this Play it Again episode from Season One, Valerie Fentress interviews Courtney J. Strong and illustrator Carissa Robertson about their new Christmas picture book, The Trail of Unexpected Gifts. They discuss their favorite Christmas traditions, the inspiration behind the book, the process of illustrating the book, and their heart for donating the proceeds to Vision Rescue. They also talk about involving their children in the book and their future projects. The episode concludes with information on where to find the book and a Christmas giveaway.   Takeaways  The Trail of Unexpected Gifts is a Christmas picture book that seeks to unwrap the story behind the gifts given at Christmas. The book is illustrated by Carissa Robertson and written by Courtney J. Strong. All the proceeds from the book will be donated to Vision Rescue, an organization that works to rescue and educate children in the slums of India. The authors involved their own children in the creation of the book, and their input and ideas were incorporated into the story and illustrations.  Chapters  00:00 Introduction 00:58 Introducing the Guests and the Book 03:22 Favorite Christmas Traditions 04:30 The Inspiration Behind the Book 05:10 Illustrating the Book 07:17 Donating Proceeds to Vision Rescue 10:33 Involving the Kids in the Book 12:45 Future Projects 15:36 Courtney's Previous Book 17:35 Carissa's Artistic Journey 19:00 Favorite Children's Books 22:45 Future Books and Collaboration 25:39 Where to Find the Books 26:00 Conclusion (2) Facebook Home - Vision Rescue Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress

    27 min
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About

Join children's author Valerie Fentress for weekly Author Chats to find books that are good for your kids' heart and soul.

Information

  • Creator
    Valerie Fentress
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BookWorthy
  • Show Website
    BookWorthy