Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Cover Reveal: What is a Church? by Angie Quantrell and Gayle West

Despite my recent lack of much blogging, I have been filling my days with words and more words and even photos and illustrations! Most of the words have been in my head, at my fingertips, scribbled on paper scraps, sitting in Notes on my phone, and spread throughout various Word docs filling my computer. Haha!

I’m excited to announce the cover reveal of my newest picture book, What is a Church?

Published by Woman’s Missionary Union (2026), What is a Church? has been beautifully illustrated with a variety of photos from around the world! Gayle West did an amazing job turning photos into painting-like images.

What is a Church? is written with preschoolers in mind. As the youngest audience for books, preschoolers enter the world of “church” with few preconceived understandings of church, other than they go with their family, they see (eventually) familiar faces, and spend time playing, singing, and hearing Bible stories. What is a Church? will help preschoolers understand that church is a happy place and going to church is a part of God’s plan for their lives. Not only that, but preschoolers can begin to understand that they can go to church and be a part of the church too! Because church is not just a building. The church is made up of people-the family of God!

As one can imagine, there were all sorts of readers and comments and revising and updating. It truly takes a community, and I have a fabulous community to walk beside me. Here’s a giant THANK YOU! to everyone who contributed or assisted in any way to help bring What is a Church? to life!

What is a Church?

Written by Angie Quantrell

Illustrated by Gayle West

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2026

Drumroll please!

Without further ado, here is the beautiful cover!

What is a Church? wmu.com/preschool


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Haiku Moment: beauty lures

sky above reflects,

but what lies hidden beneath?

i imagine teeth

dark depths creep closer

exude malice, beware ye!

keep hands in the boat

sunshine beauty lures,

lurks; still, something is down there

looking up at me

beauty lures

by Angie Quantrell

Cypress Gardens, South Carolina


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Haiku Moment: alligator bag

lurking or lounging?

hungry alligator bag

waiting for dinner

alligator bag

by Angie Quantrell

Cypress Gardens, Charleston, S.C.

P.S. No, I do not ever want a real alligator bag! Nor do I want to get any closer or spend time in the water.