I’ve been on the lookout lately for Christian children’s picture books that are character driven and tell a story (rather than concept or teaching books which seem to take up much of the market). One I’ve had my eye on for a while but have only recently managed to get a copy of, is Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! And what a joy this book is!

This series of interviews has been such a joy!
I’ve loved hearing how different people use children’s books and the impact those books have had, whether that’s an impact on the interviewee themselves, or how the books impact children in their lives. This month I interview Victoria Riollano! She’s is a motivational speaker, licensed minister, and author of three Christian living non-fiction books. She’s also a mother of nine and draws on her experience in ministry and in motherhood to write her book: Warrior Mother: Equipping Your Heart To Fight For Your Family’s Faith.
​When I was thinking of people to interview for this series, I knew I wanted to chat with Victoria!

Being a hermit 
helps.  
It helps with feeling overwhelm, 
for tucking far-too-much 
into a corral. 
Keeping it tame, 
appeased and quiet.  

I first 'met' Sue Schlesman when I was reviewing a children's Bible. She was one of the authors of The Compassion Storybook Bible, a delightful children's Bible that places God's compassion at the centre (you can read my review here). I was impressed by Sue's approach to sharing God's word with children so when she reached out to let me know about her new picture book I was keen to take the opportunity to interview her again. She's got lots of great reading suggestions, and a lovely story of how books and story have shaped her life and love of writing! 

'Once upon a time - both right next door and far away - there lived a girl.'  
That's the first line of my new picture book, Honeysuckle Gold, coming out next month (September 2026! Eek - so exciting!).
It's a book about two girls whose lives are connected through the cotton supply chain. It’s about child labour, the rights of the girl child, and modern day slavery. And it’s a story about the difference we can make in a world that needs change. 
I wrote the original draft of this book about ten years ago as part of my Master of Arts (writing and literature) at Deakin University. I’ve long been passionate about fighting slavery. Out of the Cages was written in response to this. But for my picture book assignment, I’d wanted to tackle an aspect of modern slavery that younger children could process.