Today I’m blessed to have author Laura Sassi stopping by for a visit! She’s going to share about her new book, My Tender Heart Devotions, which is coming out on October 1 from Paraclete Press. Be sure to read to the bottom to learn about your opportunity to win a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions!
Now, let’s get right to it!
Welcome, Laura! I’m so excited to have you visit today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a former teacher and children’s ministry director who is now blessed to be able to spend my days writing books, poems, and other pieces that offer messages of hope, faith and joy for little ones and the grown-ups who love them. My books include Goodnight, Ark, Love is Kind, Little Ewe, Bunny Finds Easter, Happy Birthday Christmas Child and the My Tender Heart series. I live in New Jersey with my husband, two young adult kids and a sweet little cockapoo named Sophie. And, every day, rain or shine, in my living room or on my porch, I write! I also love visiting schools, churches and more with a variety of book-themed programs.
It’s so nice to meet you and learn more about your life.
I did a Book Share on my blog about your last book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book, back in January. Tell us about your newest book, My Tender Heart Devotions. It is gorgeous!
Thank you, Angie. My Tender Heart Devotions is the third in the My Tender Heart series. Clocking in at 112 pages (my longest book yet!), it’s a collection of 52 age-appropriate devotions for little ones. Each fully illustrated devotion includes an opening poem about a fun, kid-friendly topic followed by a short message that includes a Bible passage, a “Heart Moment” activity, and a prayer. It’s the kind of devotional I wish I’d had to read with my own kids when they were small — so I decided to write one!
So amazing! I’m saving My Tender Heart Prayer Book for my new grandbaby, and I think he/she will need My Tender Heart Devotions as well!
My Tender Heart Devotions is published by Paraclete Press. Tell us more about your book series with them and how you connected with Paraclete Press.
The My Tender Heart Series consists of three books. The first to release was My Tender Heart Bible, a collection of 12 rhyming Bible stories that all point to God’s redemptive love. Each is paired with a Scripture citation and a Heart Moment of response. My Tender Heart Prayer Book serves as a companion but with a focus on prayer. It contains 23 prayers to take a young child through the day and foster conversations with God. Like the Bible each prayer concludes with a Heart Moment of connection and response. That Heart Moment carries through to the Devotions as well because when we encounter God’s love and God’s truth we can’t help but respond with our whole heart!
As for Paraclete Press, I had seen and admired their books for children. And when I read their mission statement, I knew that we shared the same heart for God. It reads:
“In all times, in different branches of the Christian family, there are people who have written or sung or spoken things that encouraged us to give our lives to God and to listen to His voice. At Paraclete Press, we gather and share these treasures.”
I LOVE this! What a beautiful connection!
Laura, I love how My Tender Heart Devotions is going to be the perfect gift for little ones! I have a new grandbaby coming in December, and I know this baby and the parents need a copy! (I’m trying really hard not to say he or she, since the reveal party is AFTER this blog post!) The 52-week schedule is exactly right. Share more about how you decided on this format and what you include in each devotional spread.
Actually, when I started the project, it was for forty devotions, but then as I got rolling, I realized I had enough for fifty. But, then I thought, don’t stop there! Make it fifty-two so that there can be one for each week of the year. But even though there are fifty-two, they are not dated and they can be read and enjoyed in any order. In fact, the book includes a handy topical index at the end so the devotions can be paired with a particular theme or situation in a child’s life.
As for the format for each spread, I thought about what I, as a parent of young children, would want the components to be and went from there. Thus, each devotional spread includes a title, a Bible citation (so children can practice digging directly into Scripture), a fun poem that serves as the spark for the devotion, an anchor verse (so tired parents don’t necessarily have to look up the verse right then and there), a short kid-friendly message that links it all together with God’s Word in an applicable way, and a Heart Moment of response.
Here are two examples from the book:
I really like all you have included with each devotion. Every family should be able to choose and adjust to what their young ones need and can handle at any given time.
Your author voice is just right for this book. And Sandra’s illustrations are a perfect match. How did the two of you hook up? How much feedback do you give Sandra? Did you send art notes? I must say, you make a great team!
Thank you so much. I totally agree about Sandra’s darling illustrations and think they are a lovely match to the text. She is amazing! The team at Paraclete Press paired us together.
In terms of art notes, editors really discourage including art notes in a manuscript unless absolutely necessary. That being said, for the Devotions I did send my editor a couple of photos in the hopes that Sandra might use them for inspiration as she illustrated. The first, to pair with the devotion “Toy Sailboat”, was a photo of me and my sister as children pushing toy sail boats in a city fountain. The second to go with “Clock Trust” was a picture of the lovely nineteenth century steeple clock we have on the mantel in our living room. And she did!
More great connections! You work well together!
My Tender Heart Devotions will be released on October 1. Happy book birthday! Do you have any special plans for your book release day?
I don’t have anything planned yet for the exact release day, but here’s an event that’s almost on release day! If any of y’all live in the Oklahoma City area, please join me for a pajama story time with the Devotions on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 6pm at Best of Books in Edmond, OK.
And please do check my website in the next few weeks for other fall events because I’m building a little book tour as we speak. It will include visits to bookstores, schools and churches.
Check out Laura’s events here.
A pajama party! How fun! If only Oklahoma was not so far from Washington state, I would be there with my jammies on!
What’s next for you, Laura? Any new projects in the works or anything else you want to share?
I’m delighted to share that I have a new picture book releasing in early January. It’s called FAITHFUL FEET. Learn all about it here.
And if you’re curious about the My Tender Heart series, or want to download the free printables that go with each book, head on over to mytenderheartbooks.com.
I’m also on the web here and I’d love to connect:
https://www.facebook.com/LauraSassiTales
http://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/laurasassitales/
Congratulations on all of your books and upcoming books! Wow! Thank you, Laura, for stopping by today!
Friends, Laura and Paraclete Press have offered to give a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions to one reader once it is released on October 1. To put your name in the hat, please comment below and give Laura some love! Please make sure to leave your email so I can contact the winner after the drawing.
A winner will be drawn Monday, August 12 (US only).
Love, Laughter, and Life 