I get very excited when new Australian Christian children's books arrive on the scene. This is partly because there aren't very many of them. But it's also because those that do make it through the gauntlet of publishing hurdles are usually saying something rather special. They're looking at things from a slightly different angle, and the truths they explore can be powerful as a result. Simon Camilleri is a poet, speaker, graphic designer and the author of some of these types of books. I was grateful to be able to interview him in the midst of the whirlwind of launching his newest children's book, Read, Think, Pray, Do - a kid's guide to reading the Bible! 

I hesitated writing this post. I mean, why add more words to a topic that seems to be bouncing around the internet like a high speed pinball. Opinions, enthusiasm, suspicion, outrage. It’s all there.
So why add my thoughts to the noise? Well, I knew I needed to wrestle out my position on AI - as an author, but also as a person. I also knew that I'm probably not the only one. So I share my thoughts here. My AI WIP (wrestlings-in-progress)... 

​Writers always have a reason for why they start writing. Sometimes it’s the development of a childhood hobby. Sometimes it’s writing the book they wish they had. Sometimes, it’s a response to heartache and suffering. A response that not only offers healing and space to process personal grief, but often becomes a gift to others traveling a similar journey. I took some time last month to interview three such authors who write about faith in times of suffering. 

If you've had any familiarity with the Australian Christian writing world over the last however-many-years, you've likely bumped into, or read (or both!), Jo-Anne Berthelsen. And if you haven't, now's your chance! Jo-Anne is a wonderful woman of faith whose generosity of heart and thoughfulness spill into her writing and life. She's an encourager, a pray-er and when I grow up I want to be like her!
Jo-Anne's newest book, God Moments: 101 little lessons for life’s journey came out last month so I figured this would be a good time to interview her. I hope you find her answers to my questions as encouraging as I did!

The World Needs The Wonder You See is a picture book invitation to see the world through the lens of creativity, wonder and imagination. It’s a large format picture book with a paper-feel matt cover and indented title and is quite lovely. I found my copy at my local Dymocks bookstore and took it home for a quiet, slow read. ​