Her latest story warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye. But rather than having me tell you all about it, why not hear the inspiration from the author herself. I asked her a few questions and am happy to share the answers with you.

How did you come up with the idea for this sweet Christmas story? 

Little Stable, Holy Night was inspired by our family’s love of hospitality. Many years ago, we decided to make room for others by becoming a foster home. In a way, I’ve always thought of our house like a personified character—opening her doors to others. With this image in mind, I thought, what if I wrote the Christmas story from the perspective of the stable? Sharing our home has always felt like special work, and I wondered if the stable would’ve felt the same as she welcomed animals, visitors, and baby Jesus. 

Besides the birth of Jesus, what do you want little ones to learn? 

In this story, the stable offers the invitation of “Come,” which points towards Jesus’ invitation to each of us.  I want readers to feel that warm invitation, and then be inspired to extend that invitation to others—with open hearts and open doors—just like Little Stable. I want little ones to see the joy of making others feel wanted and welcomed. 

The illustrations are adorable! Tell us about them.

Yes! I was thrilled to have this book illustrated by Bruno Brogna! The pages are full of warm colors, an anthropomorphic stable, and piles of adorable animals. It was important to me that the illustrations had culturally and geographically accurate elements, like a stone stable and hewn manger, and I’m so pleased with how this book came together. Huge thanks to Bruno and the team at Paraclete Press!

What else would you like our followers to know?

There are some great free activity sheets and discussion questions available on my website. I encourage you to print them off and use them this Christmas with the little ones you love as you explore the precious gift of Jesus.

I’m also excited to share that Little Stable, Holy Night has a partner book releasing in time for Easter. Holy Morning, Little Tomb is a joyful retelling of Jesus’ resurrection from the perspective of the tomb. 

Where can we find out more about you and your books (include any links)

The best place to find more about me is on my website, and you can also connect with me on social media:

Website: www.katerietema.com

Instagram: @katerietema

Facebook: Kate Rietema – Children’s Author

Thank you, Kate!

I love everything about this book and am happy to share it with our followers. And here are a few words of my own:

This beautifully crafted story reminds us that hospitality warms our empty, chilly spaces while offering warmth and safety to those who enter through our open doors. Like Little Stable, may we welcome others into our hearts and homes during this holy season as we celebrate the One who fills us with His love.

Here’s to a sweet stable filled with warm and happy animals and a newborn King.

Crystal

Five big smiles for this sweet Christmas story!

Be sure to sign up for updates on each new post on our Christian Children’s Authors blog. Follow us for recent book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement!

 #christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #writingforchildren #christmaspicturebook

That surprising transformation gives children a memorable way to explore decay, seeds, soil, and plant growth—and to discover that in God’s creation, even an ending can lead to new life.

Learn About Decay and Growth with Peter Peter turns the familiar nursery rhyme Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater into an engaging science adventure. As young readers follow Peter and his pumpkin through a natural cycle of change, they learn that decay is not simply destruction. It is part of the process that returns nutrients to the soil and helps make future growth possible.

With a story children can enjoy, and concepts parents and teachers can build on, this book makes early science approachable, meaningful, and fun. It invites young readers to look more closely at the world around them and see God’s wisdom in every stage of creation.

Learning Through Story

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Why do leaves fall? What happens to an old pumpkin? Where do new plants come from?

Books give us a wonderful way to encourage that curiosity.

Learn About Decay and Growth with Peter Peter introduces children to concepts such as decomposition, seeds, soil, plant growth, and the life cycle of a pumpkin in a way that feels more like a story than a science lesson.

The familiar Peter Peter character adds a playful connection children can recognize, while the science behind his pumpkin gives parents and teachers plenty to talk about.

It’s especially fun for fall learning, when pumpkins are everywhere!

A Hands-On Learning Opportunity

One of the best ways to extend the story is to let children observe the process themselves.

After reading the book, place an old pumpkin outside where children can safely observe it over several weeks. Encourage them to notice the changes. Is it getting softer? Has the color changed? Are insects visiting it? What is happening to the seeds? Children can draw pictures, keep a simple observation journal, make predictions, or compare what they see with Peter’s pumpkin in the book.

Then comes the exciting part: watching for new growth!

A decaying pumpkin provides a wonderful visual lesson that creation is filled with cycles. Something that appears finished can still have a purpose.

Connecting Creation and the Creator

For Christian families and classrooms, the book also creates a natural opportunity to talk about the incredible way God designed His world.

Decay might not seem beautiful at first. It can be mushy, messy, and not particularly pleasant! Yet even that process has an important role in creation. Organic matter returns nutrients to the soil, seeds remain behind, and under the right conditions, new plants can begin to grow.

What a wonderful reminder for children that God wastes nothing. We can help children look closely at creation and recognize the wisdom, order, and purpose woven throughout it.

As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Even pumpkins have their seasons.

The Full Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Story

You can read the adaptation of this familiar nursery rhyme in a previous blog.

 This resource is available on Teachers Pay Teachers and at DawnStephensBooks.com. The rhyme comes as a printable guided reading book, PowerPoint slides, and a video. It also includes a Teacher’s Guide with lesson plans, worksheets, and hands-on activities. 

Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from the Children’s Christian Authors Blog. Follow us for book reviews, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement. #christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #christianauthors #christianwritiers #christianteachers #christianchildrensbooks #christianhomeschool #pumpkins

In her newsletters Tama shares a bit about the story behind the story. I know you will enjoy reading this:

Wonder what the inspiration was for writing Serah and the First Christmas?

I was actually working through a Bible study in my personal quiet time, and the author of that study was talking about Rachel and Rebekah and how they were shepherdesses in the Bible. That study went on to talk about how being a shepherdess was a common job for young women  in Bible times. She then wondered if shepherdesses could possibly have been present that night in the fields of Bethlehem when the angels came to announce Christ’s birth.

As a writer, the “what if” questions started bouncing around in my mind. So, I wondered, what if there were women present that night? But would it have been acceptable for a woman to be out at night like that? Maybe not. So . . .

• What if it were a little girl who dreamed of being a shepherdess?
• What if her father was one of the shepherds out in the fields that night?
• What if she had been given a little lamb to take care?
• What if she snuck out into the fields?

And the story of Serah and the First Christmas unfolded from there!

But wait—there’s more:

Who is “the other little girl” and why is she so important?

As you look through the illustrations of Serah, you might notice another little girl in the background of many of the spreads. Who is she? What is she looking for? Why is tagging along after Serah? She has no lines, so what is her story?

First, she is an invitation for children to pour their own imaginations into the story and, particularly, into her story.

But here’s what I imagine her story to be: 

While Serah is wanting so desperately to be a shepherdess and struggling with feeling overlooked because she is too small, she doesn’t even notice this other little girl who is just hoping to be seen by Serah. To be her friend. This other little girl is representative of what happens to us sometimes. We—like Serah—get so caught up in what we want and what we believe we need for ourselves that we don’t notice how we could be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

That little girl is also our challenge. Because when we realize how we are always seen by Jesus and endlessly loved by Him, how could we not do as Serah did? How could we not reach out to those around us and bring them to Him?

And here are my (Crystal’s) thoughts:

This sweet story allows readers to step back in time and follow a young girl who longs to be a shepherdess so she can help care for her father’s sheep. She is told that she is too little and too young but caring for a motherless lamb proves otherwise. I love how her confidence and determination in caring for the lamb eventually brings her to the manger where she comes face to face with the Savior who sees and loves her just as she is. With warm and enduring illustrations, this Christmas story is one that families will enjoy reading together.

Amazon link: Amazon.com : serah and the first christmas by tama fortner
Barnes and Noble link: Serah and the First Christmas: A Story of Being Seen and Loved | Barnes & Noble®
Christianbook.com: Serah and the First Christmas: A Story of Being Seen and Loved: Tama Fortner: 9780310167907 – BibleGateway with Christianbook.com

To find out more about Tama and her wonderful books visit: Tama Fortner Books

Here’s to caring for the least of these and finding Jesus!

Five big smiles for this beautiful Christmas book!

Crystal

Be sure to sign up for updates on each new post on our Christian Children’s Authors blog. Follow us for recent book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement!

 #christianchildrensauthors #christianbooks #writingforchildren

Grandparents Day is in the rearview mirror, with as much fanfare as Hallmark could invest and almost no attention from people who are NOT grandparents. So let’s shift this whole “Celebrate Grandparents Day” from once a year to every day!

When God made the world, male and female were designed to populate the earth, to teach about love and relationships. In this way, older generations teach the younger generations, as the younger respect and listen to their elders. Grandparents offer love, acceptance, and a safe place for their grandchildren, as well as guidance and support to both parents and grandchildren.

Strong family bonds begin with honoring and caring for grandparents. This is how children learn respect and love – by being the recipients of all that grandparents freely offer. This is God’s plan for generations.

Some Biblical grandparents                                                                 

 Grandparents always want to hear from and about grandkids! Even small events will receive enthusiastic responses.

Ask a CCA grandparent:

Crystal Bowman: The best season in life.

Penny Reeve: The word that comes to mind as a brand-new grandparent is ‘besotted’. ‘Privilege’ would be another, and ‘joy’.

Robin Currie: “Grandparenting is an ongoing blessing!

Long-distance grandparenting

This closeness is challenging if family members are spread out across the country (or world!) It only takes a little planning to use all our means of communication to foster the relationship of children with their grandparents.

Ask the grandparent to read a short book to the child online. Have your own copy of the book in case it is hard to see.

Contact grandparents for kids to share small but special events. This is easier with a tangible object for the child to talk about: loose tooth, school drawing, sports uniform, or ballet costume.

When you are together, take videos of playing games and outings. Show them to your children while waiting for other events and appointments.

Any day is a good day to read about grandparents!

 A Kite for Easter by Kanini Z. Rodney-Phillips, Richy Sanchez Ayala. Charlesbridge, 2027. 

Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue by Berrie Randall. The Little Press, 2023.

Best Friends with Grandma by Bitsy Kemper, Amelia Gossman. The Little Press, 2026.

Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest, Erin E. Stead. Neal-Porter Books/Holiday Hour, 2024.

 Grandma’s Blessing by Michelle Medlock Adams, Lee Holland. Good Books, 2024.

Grandpa’s Wish List: A Keepsake Board Book for Grandchildren; Gift for Babies, Toddlers & New Grandfathers by Cottage Door Press (Editor), Sydney Hanson. Cottage Door Press, 2025. 

My Love, Keep Your Wonder by Victoria Robb Powers, Cameron Mason Vickrey, Joanna Carillo. Convergent /Random House, 2027.

Nana’s Piano by Sandra Kay Chambers, Ambassadors International (hybrid), 2026.

Otto’s Sweater by Sadhbh Devlin, Ulrika Kestere. Little Island Books (IRE), 2026.

Why We Need Granddaughters: A Tender Tribute to a Granddaughter’s Joy (Always in My Heart) by Gregory E. Lang, Lisa Alderson. Sourcebooks, 2024.

Be sure to sign up to receive updates of each new post on our Christian Children’s Authors blog. Follow us for new book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement!

#booksforkids #picturebooks #homeschool,

I recently caught up with the awesome author of a host of delightful titles for young children. Jill Roman Lord is a dear friend who has a heart and passion for sharing the Lord with little ones. Read our interview below about her most recent book, Fruit of the Spirit Bedtime Prayers

Tell us how the idea for your new book came about.

This publisher contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in writing a Fruit of the Spirit Bedtime prayer book for ages birth through two-year-olds. I was thrilled and said, “YES!”

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

Believe it or not, I had about 2 weeks to write the book.

What is your favorite part of the book?

I love that the Fruit of the Spirit concept could be simplified for easy understanding. That was a challenge for sure, but I love how it turned out.

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

I want kids to know that reacting to situations can be a choice even at an early age. Kids can learn that instead of getting mad, stomping, or getting frustrated in certain situations, they may let the fruit of the spirit bubble up within them to respond with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

How many other books have you written?

I’ve written about 35 books.

Tell us about your writing journey. When did you first know you wanted to be a children’s author? How long did it take to get your first book published?

I’ve always loved writing but chose a different career. When I was happily working part-time and raising my children, I felt an urgent fire within me prompting me to write a book for children. I had no idea what to write but knew I had to do it. It took about 2 weeks to come up with an idea, which was a children’s devotional. Once it was written, I received a year’s worth of rejection letters before I received a positive nibble which led to my first contract. My first book was published in 1999.  

What is the best part of writing for children?

I love the possible impact books have on children. Kids will be read books of one kind or another and the thought that it might be a wholesome, enjoyable, fun book pointing to God, showing them a part of His world, or how great His love is for them, is really my heart for writing for children. I hope that my books will have a positive influence on children, draw them closer to God, and keep them wanting to know more about Him. 

Do you have another job besides “writer”?

I retired about a year ago from a fabulous career as a nurse anesthetist. Now with more time, I enjoy volunteering at a local food bank and at a farm that caters to special needs children and veterans. I enjoy traveling, running, playing golf, pickleball, and I just might start learning how to play mah jongg. 

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to the same guy, Bill, for 38 years. We have three grown children, two of them are married and between them we have three grandchildren.

Post by Julie Lavender