Looking for books your kids will love — and you can trust?
The BookWorthy Podcast is your weekly guide to help Christian parents cut through the noise and find books that actually matter. Each week, award-winning children's author Valerie Fentress chats with authors about stories that help kids process big feelings, grow in faith, and see God’s goodness in everyday life.
Think of it as your trusted book buddy for raising readers who love Jesus.
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A Gift, a Book, a Blessing with Eric and Meredith Schroedtenbauer
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Eric and Meredith Schroedtenbauer discuss their latest book, 'This Special Blessing for You,' which is based on the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:23-27. They share their inspiration for writing children's books that teach biblical context and the importance of asking the right questions. The couple also talks about their upcoming book, 'Good Night Noah Good Night Ark,' and where to find more information about their work.
Takeaways
Teaching children biblical context and the meaning behind verses can help make their faith more real and impactful.
Children's books can be a powerful tool for teaching and exploring faith.
As parents, it is important to shape our children's lives and help them understand their identity as children of God.
The art of storytelling, whether through music, art, or words, can bring the Bible to life and make it more relatable for children.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:36 About Eric and Meredith Schroedtenbauer
06:12 Inspiration behind 'This Special Blessing for You'
09:49 The Aaronic Blessing
12:42 Transition to Children's Book Authors
17:09 The Art of Storytelling
19:32 Impactful Books
24:26 Upcoming Book: 'Good Night Noah Good Night Ark'
26:33 Where to Find Eric and Meredith Schroedtenbauer
Help BookWorthy make plans and know how to serve your best by filling out the 2026 Listener survey. Click the link, answer 10 questions. I can't wait to hear what you have to say.
In this Play it Again episode, Nancy Tupper-Ling discusses, Bless the Earth, which is a collection of poems for children to celebrate and care for the world, co-edited with bestselling anthologist June Cotner. The book features a variety of poetry styles and beautiful illustrations. Ling explains that poetry comes in and out of fashion, but it is making a comeback, especially with the inclusion of fun and joyful poems. The book aims to inspire children and families to appreciate and care for the Earth. Ling also shares her connection to nature and how it inspires her writing. She mentions that the book includes resources for poetry exercises and encourages readers to explore different types of poetry.
Help BookWorthy make plans and know how to serve your best by filling out the 2026 Listener survey. Click the link, answer 10 questions. I can't wait to hear what you have to say.
In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie talks with Sandra K Chambers, author of 'Maisy Discovers Her Fingerprints.' They explore the themes of uniqueness and acceptance through the character of Maisie, a dog who embarks on a journey to discover what makes her special. Sandra shares her inspiration behind the book, her writing journey, and the importance of instilling a biblical worldview in children. The conversation also touches on impactful books and the joys of being a grandparent.
In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie interviews Kat Cronenberg, author of the 'Live Big' series. They discuss the inspiration behind Kat's books, her writing journey, and the importance of teaching children life skills through storytelling. Kat shares her experiences with animals and nature, and how these elements influence her work. The conversation highlights the impact of books on children's lives and the messages of hope and joy that resonate throughout her stories.
In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie speaks with children's author Jennifer Jahn about her debut picture book, 'God's Wonderful Wide World.' They discuss the themes of God's creation, individuality, and the importance of teaching children about their uniqueness and God's love. Jennifer shares her writing journey, the publishing process, and her inspirations, including her favorite books and authors. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Jennifer's upcoming projects.
In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews author Lara d'Entremont about her YA fantasy novel, The Painted Fairy Tale. The story follows 17-year-old Wren, who discovers her paintings can open portals to other worlds, leading her on an adventurous journey. Lara shares her inspiration, writing journey, and the message she hopes young readers take away from her book.
Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12.
In this episode of Book Worthy, host Valerie speaks with author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young about her journey as a children's book author, focusing on her latest work, 'Kailani's Gift.' They discuss themes of perseverance, family, and cultural diversity in literature, and the importance of storytelling in teaching children values. Dorina shares her experiences in writing and her passion for promoting multicultural stories, emphasizing the significance of empathy and understanding through literature. The conversation also touches on Dorina's upcoming projects, including a journal on grief and collaborative efforts by authors to celebrate diversity.
Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12.
In this Bonus episode of Bookworthy, hosts Valerie, Shaun Stevenson, and Brock Eastman discuss the Parable Port series, a middle-grade book that brings biblical parables to life through engaging storytelling. They explore the creative process behind the book, the importance of collaboration, and the relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The authors share their journey of writing together, their passion for creating quality content for children, and their plans for the series.
Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12.
In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie interviews Mark Wainwright, an author and editor with over 18 years of experience in Christian publishing. They discuss Mark's latest book, "Awesome Facts About Space," which combines science and faith to engage young readers. The conversation covers fascinating space facts, the integration of faith and science, and Mark's personal writing journey.
Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12.
In this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast, Valerie interviews children's author Bonnie S. Weinhardt about her Bingees series, which follows the adventures of an 11-year-old boy named Benji in the 1930s. They discuss the inspiration behind the series, the character of Benjy, and the themes of humor, faith, and decision-making in the stories. Bonnie shares her journey as a writer, the influence of her journalism background, and her future writing projects, including a young adult novel based on her life experiences.
Don't forget to join in the Middle Grade March Madness. Fill out your bracket and follow the fun as you, the reader, help BookWorthy choose the #1 Middle Grade book for ages 8-12.
