No small thing: Why three children's authors write for kids.

​I write for children. Sometimes for teens, occasionally for adults, but mostly for children. So, maybe I’m a little biased, but I obviously think writing for children is important. I decided to ask three Christian children’s writers about their approach to writing. I wanted to find out what they write, but also why they write it. What motivates and inspires them? What is, essentially, the heart of a children’s writer? 

Kathy Dye discovered her calling as a writer during her final years as an elementary school teacher and loves writing books that builds bridges between generational gaps. I asked her what first motivated her to write for children:

Kathy: "I was an elementary teacher for 29 years. During the last few years of my tenure, I had the opportunity to teach Creative Writing to students in grades K-5. They encouraged me to step out and finally get my book out into the world. I also have several grandchildren, and they are always a good source of material for a book. 
When I write a children’s book, I hope to be helping bridge generations. When a grandparent shares a story with their grandchildren, it can be a great conversation starter. You learn the things they like, and they can learn more about you."
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Penny: Bridging generations is a big theme in your work, can you tell us more about why this is so important for you?
Kathy: "Yes, all of my writing centers around connecting one generation to the next. My first book, A Song in Her Heart, was about my mother and Alzheimer’s. This disease affects all generations, and I wanted to start a conversation about it, hoping to help younger children remember the little things they loved about their parents or grandparents. My first Kit Kat Camp book dealt with putting down the screens and spending time together, encouraging children to use their imagination. The second book is forthcoming and explores the topic of judging others. We can learn a great deal from one another. We need to listen and talk. Reading together is a great way to start."

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​Valerie Fentress is another children’s author whose real life experiences influenced her decision to write for children. As a mom of three boys, she has a passion for growing a love for God in children. Her picture book, An Easter Bunny's Tale was an AWSA Christian Picture Book finalist. She considers picture books a love language and you can find her talking about children's books on her BookWorthy Podcast. 
I asked Valerie about how she got started writing for children:

Valerie: "In one sense, I've always been a writer.  It's how I've always expressed my thoughts and feelings, but it was a calling I ignored for a long time. There is a deep love of books in my heart, stemming from my childhood book piles. As I became a parent, I saw the power that children's books have to communicate ideas and worldviews.  When the combination of the joy of reading to my children and the compulsion of a God-given idea combined, I knew I had a few books I needed to write for children. So now I write in obedience to the talents God has given and the calling he has put on my heart."

Penny: What (children’s book) are you working on now, and why is it important?
Valerie: "I have several projects I'm working on right now, but I have two that I'm most excited about. One is a middle-grade novel to help kids see that the Bible is an adventure. I've also just started working on a devotional to help kids grow in their knowledge of who Jesus is and why he did what he did."

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Like me, Erin Mackey writes in across various children’s genres, including picture books, middle grade fiction, and Young Adult fiction and continues to develop new story ideas on a regular basis. I was interested to ask Erin what she feels is her biggest responsibility as a children’s writer and what themes she addresses in her work: 

Erin: "Creating characters and stories that engage my readers and allow them to feel part of the story is very important to me. I always try to honor God with my writing and have a message for my readers. It might be a message of hope, or resilience, or maybe even showing them that God loves them and is there for them. For example, in the Christian Middle Grade book I’m working on right now, there are themes of resilience, gaining self-confidence, overcoming obstacles, and friendship, which I feel are all important tropes for children these days."

Sometimes people assume that writing for children is simple, or a second best kind of writing. But as the answers above show, there’s no second best approach in these writers’ hearts. They write for children because they believe in children’s potential and the wonder of God. And there’s nothing small or simple about that!

For more information about Kathy, Valerie and Erin, check out their website links below:
Kathy: www.kathydyeauthor.com 
Valerie: www.valeriefentress.com 
Erin: www.erinmackeyauthor.com 

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