Melina Smith - StoryMakers
Amy and Mike talk story with Melina Smith, founder of StoryMakers
StoryMakers is dedicated to equipping parents and churches with tools to engage children in the redemptive narrative of the Gospel through creativity and play. We create beautifully printed magazines (“zines”), memory cards, playbooks, and vibrant visuals that give kids and grown-ups the chance to connect while exploring the greatest stories ever told.
Ten years ago, Melina began to develop children’s content because it was difficult to find resources that contained the Gospel, inspired creativity, and engaged children from a social-emotional space. It seemed that much of Sunday School materials had been reduced simply to moralism packaged in cartoons or worksheets. So, she imagined the possibility of creating a new way to teach the faith to children, an approach that considered the whole child and their church experience. In 2018, she launched StoryMakers NYC
Tammy Bundy - Lullaby Prayer
Welcome to 2021! On this new podcast, hosts Amy Parker and Mike Nawrocki talk with author Tammy Bundy about her book Lullaby Prayer!
This bedtime book will calm your kids to sleep with a promise of God's peaceful presence all night long. As gentle scenes move through a sleepy farm in Lullaby Prayer, lyrical lines lull little listeners into rest. As the moon smiles, fireflies dance, and darkness unfolds her blanket to drape the landscape in cozy quiet, the sounds of a country evening become a bedtime ballad in this sweet, comforting prayer poem.
This beautiful picture book from award-winning author Tamara Bundyfeatures
- an evocative poem that imagines nature’s nighttime sounds as a love song to your child from God
- rhythmic verse that is a joy to read aloud at story time
- Jill Howarth's rich and imaginative illustrations of a country farm and its animals
- a prayer for your little one at the end of each stanza
The embellished cover makes this picture book perfect for birthdays, baptisms, adoption parties, baby showers, or holiday gift giving for ages 4 to 8. Lullaby Prayer is sure to be a soothing part of your bedtime ritual as you tuck your little one into God's loving care.
Tamara Bundy, a graduate of the Ohio State University, is a former columnist for the Cincinnati Post. She teaches English at Miami University where she received her Master’s Degree. Tamara is the author or co-author of seven non-fiction books. Her debut middle grade novel, Walking with Miss Millie (Nancy Paulsen/Penguin) won several awards including the Ohioana Award for Middle Grade/Young Adult Fiction and has landed on many state reading lists. Her second middle grade novel, Pixie Pushes On, also from Paulsen/Penguin came out earlier this year. Bundy’s debut picture book, Lullaby Prayer, just released from HarperCollins Christian.
Dead Sea Squirrels with Mike Nawrocki
This podcast is a repost from earlier in the year - we have so many new friends and listeners we thought you might love to hear this.
Amy interviews Mike about his ongoing Dead Sea Squirrels early reader series from Tyndale - these are perfect for young readers and a great last minute Christmas gift from Amazon or other retailers.
The Big Book of Bible Questions
This podcast is a repeat from earlier this year - we have many new friends and listeners and this book would be an EXCELLENT last minute Christmas gift for your child or family.
Mike interviews co-host Amy Parker and co-author Doug Powell about their new Tyndale book - The Big Book of Bible Questions.
Uncover the mysteries of the Bible with bestselling children’s author Amy Parker and apologist Doug Powell as they team up to answer some of the biggest questions kids have about the Bible and theology.
The Big Book of Bible Questions addresses kids’ toughest Bible questions with theologically sound answers in a way that is relatable and engaging. It’s filled with fun facts, debunking of common misconceptions, and explanations of biblical and theological concepts. With eye-catching illustrations and real-life photos, this book will not only answer a kid’s Bible questions big and small, but it will also encourage spiritual conversations and a lifelong love of learning about the glory and wonder of faith, the Bible, and God.
Erin Weidemann - Ringleaders from Truth Becomes Her
Amy and Mike finish up the 2020 season with returning guest Erin Weidemann to discuss Ringleaders, a new book in Truth Becomes Here's Bible Belle's brand.
The Adventures of Rooney Cruz was inspired by her niece and features main character Rooney Cruz, a young girl experiencing the normal challenges found in daily life who finds inspiration through the stories of women in the Bible. The series’ first books, Bible Belles, features Old Testament Biblical heroes Hannah, Esther, Abigail, Ruth and Deborah. In each story, Rooney encounters each woman’s powerful journey and learns important truths about prayer, patience, bravery, loyalty and leadership. Nearly 500,000 copies of the books have been sold and are impacting young girls all over the world.
Rooney’s adventure continues in the new book, Ringleaders, launching October 2020. Rooney meets six women from the New Testament: Elizabeth, Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Samaritan Woman (at the Well), Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene. Through the stories of these women, Rooney learns she can use her voice to share the Good News that God has called her to deliver. Young readers will be inspired to identify their own voice and use it for God’s glory and to build His Kingdom.
Five-time cancer survivor Erin Weidemann is co-founder of Truth Becomes Her, a brand that equips moms and women with resources to help them step into their unique leadership roles. The creator and author of the bestselling The Adventures of Rooney Cruz series for young girls, Erin is a nationally recognized speaker, radio personality, certified teacher and sought-after homeschool consultant, and host of the Heroes for Her Podcast.
Erin is a spokesperson for World Vision and an active advocate for the American Cancer Society. Erin is a graduate of Penn State University with a double major in Journalism and Spanish. She and her husband, Brent, recently relocated from the San Diego oceanfront to enjoy the charm of a small, picturesque town in Montana, along with their two miracle daughters.
Make Ready for Christmas with Slugs & Bugs
Mike and Amy talk to podcast triple threat Randall Goodgame, creator of Slugs & Bugs about exciting new things - a new book set called Adventures from the Workshop and Beyond and a new Christmas special Make Ready for Christmas!
Make Ready for Christmas
As Randall and friends prepare for Christmas, Maggie decides to expand the annual Sing-Along into a full-blown Christmas Eve pageant spectacular! Randall introduces everyone to the season of Advent, and Doug discovers something mysterious going on when chocolate chips go missing. Neighbor Scott Hamilton announces he's building a huge 12 Days of Christmas display, and Maggie finds herself called on to sacrifice more and more of her pageant dreams to help her friends. With so much activity and a dizzying carousel of friends stopping by, will Christmas end in disappointment or will the Workshop bunch embrace the invitation of the season and experience the true meaning of Christmas?
Adventures from the Workshop and Beyond!
Join Doug the Slug, Sparky the Lightning Bug, Morty and Maggie Raccoon for a series of adventures from the workshop and beyond! Imaginations are kindled, hijinks are uncovered, along with timeless truths about life and faith. Delightful, whimsical, hand-crafted fun for kids of all ages.
Ages 3-7 | All 5 books - 32-page 8 x 10" hard-cover picture books in a limited edition box.
Emily Assell - Generation Claimed
Amy and Mike talk with author Emily Assell about her new series of board books for kids - Generation Claimed.
Each book in the Generation Claimed series contains life-giving promises from Scripture that remind all God’s children, both young and old, of who they are in Him. Page after page shares a promise from God and the corresponding scripture from the Bible. Readers will be transformed from the inside out and rest easier in God’s love for them. This 3-book set of board books includes the following:
- You Are: Scripture promises reminding readers of who God says they are
- Tonight: Scripture promises for a peaceful night’s rest
- Chosen: Scripture promises that reveal God has a plan for each person’s life
Words are powerful. Speak God’s life-giving Word over your children, and claim this generation for his Kingdom.
Emily is a first time childrens' book author. Her passion is to call this generation to be a generation whose hearts and lives belong to Christ. She believes that your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, loved one is a child of God and has a right to an abundant life. It is Emily's prayer that her books plant deep within your children who and whose they are. She believes God's Word, and uses her words to join in agreement with Him, that together we may claim the lives of this generation as His! She does most of her writing at night after her 3 precious children are tucked quietly into bed. Emily is a nurse, a speaker, a wife, a mom, and now an author, but credits it all to her great God.
Jennie Allen - Theolaby
Mike and Amy talked to author and speaker Jennie Allen about her new series for kids, Theolaby, a 5 book series that tells the story of God from creation to heaven.
From Jennie:
Fifteen years ago, I found myself smack in the middle of raising (and surviving) a house full of little ones. I wanted to know God for myself and teach my children about who He is. As I did, I found myself searching for the right resources to help.
They wanted to know what kind of slingshot David used, how long Moses floated in a basket, and what other fruit was in the garden, but I struggled to get them to connect to the heart of God—His character and His power in their life.
That’s when I began dreaming about Theolaby.
I wanted resources that caused my kids not to just know about God, but to experience His power and His love for them. My greatest prayer was that my kids would have a personal relationship with Jesus. So in that effort, the pages of 'The Story of God' series were creatively written directly to children and aretheologically grounded in Scripture. Under the words in these books, we’ve provided the scriptures that inspired them, and we encourage parents to read both to their child.
My other hope and prayer for my kids is that, as a family, we can come together and talk openly about God and His Word. No topic or question off limits! But even my seminary degree couldn’t have prepared me for the deep questions I would get from my five-year old son! On the last page of each book, we have given parents a simple activity guide to inspire great memories and conversations with their kids, based on each story they will read to them. My prayer is that Theolaby would be pivotal to children’s understanding of God’s character and their relationship with the Creator.
Their little minds grasp more than we think! Let’s give them a huge, fun, and personal understanding of Jesus and His plans for them!
An Advent Family Experience with Josh Straub
Amy and Mike talk with Josh Straub about the book Advent with 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience written with his wife Christi.
Josh and Christi Straub are speakers, authors, and marriage and leadership coaches. Together, they lead Famous at Home, an organization equipping families and leaders to be famous at home, so they can thrive on their stage. Both Fellows of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling, together they host the weekly Famous at Home podcast, write children’s books including What Am I Feeling? and cohost Sex, Love, and Relationships on the Hillsong Channel. Josh and Christi love spending time on the lake with their three sweet kids, Landon Kennedy, and Micah, and their feisty goldendoodle, Copper.
25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience helps families spend a few moments of each day leading up to Christmas focusing on the true joys and meaning of Christmas. This is a devotional perfect for families of all shapes, sizes, and schedules. Each of the 25 days highlights a different person, place, or object from the Christmas story—from the prophet Isaiah to Baby Jesus, from the Christmas star to the gift of frankincense. All devotions include an easy-to-read story, character trait, activity, and more—each designed to reinforce the main theme of the day.
Your family can choose simply to read each day’s story or to go deeper and engage with each day’s features. Either way, parents and children are sure to learn and celebrate the season of Advent together while having fun in the process!
A true heirloom in the making, the book includes pages in the back where parents and kids can record memories of each day’s activities and write journal entries to look back on year after year, Christmas after Christmas.