Dear Readers:
Happy first official day of summer to all of you!
I am excited today to share an interview with my fellow author and new friend, Karen Ferguson. Keep reading to discover how to win a copy of her latest book.
Welcome, Karen! I see from your website that you and I share similar interests. Like me, you write children’s books, and I am honored today to interview you about your Questions for Kids picture book series.
Q: What is your writing background, and how did you first become interested in writing children’s books?
A: I began writing for adults in higher education, employee training, and business communications. My first book was a self-published wellness devotional, and my fictional memoir is still sitting on my desk, unfinished.
I also have a background in K-8 education and have worked with kids most of my adult life. I never dreamed God would use me in this way until He gave me both inspiration and confirmation about an entire book series at a writers’ conference in 2018.
Fast forward to 2020, and He made it clear it was time to step out in faith. Two years later, the first book was released through Ambassador International, and now the second book is out and part of a seven-book series titled Questions for Kids. I have to say: Only God. His timing is perfect.
Q: I love your characters Lucy Lu and Papa Joe. Tell us about these two, and are they based on real people in your life?
A: Thank you, Joyce! Lucy is a combination of several people, including a little bit of myself as a child, minus the fiery red hair. I was one of those kids with a ton of energy and questions about everything. And if I felt comfortable with someone, then boy could I talk! I’m still that way. 😊 Papa Joe is modeled after my own dad who went home to be with the Lord in 2019—shiny red scooter and all!
Q: Tell us a little about how your idea for this series got started.
A: It began with frustration. I was seeing many children’s books promoting anti-biblical principles in ways that would have been unbelievable when my girls were young.
I wanted to be part of the solution and create something fun and creative—grounded in the truths of the Bible—for parents and grandparents to share with their special young readers. I wanted something I’d feel good about sharing with my own grandkids.
Rising reading and biblical illiteracy rates also troubled me. So I envisioned an entire series that would engage young minds and nurture their faith through dynamic characters and relatable storylines. My motivation was to inspire kids to read and to explore biblical truths, with a book series they could grow with spiritually and in their reading skills.
Now, I’m thrilled to use the power of Lucy’s story set within different periods of Bible history to point this next generation to God’s truth and His never-ending love.
Q: You have recently released Book Two, Guess Who Is in God’s Family. This story takes us back to Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. How do you hope this book will connect children to God’s first family?
A: The purpose of this series is to help young readers explore biblically-based concepts right alongside the loveable main character Lucy, as they adventure into the Bible together to discover unique periods in Bible history. I knew there would be certain Bible accounts essential for building a strong foundation of faith, and this one is a big one! The story of Adam, Eve, and the Garden is critical for kids to understand because it’s essential to building a strong Christian worldview. It sets the foundation for why we need Jesus!
But rather than a repetition of Bible facts like you might find in some children’s Bibles, I wanted to deliver a fresh perspective by including a story thread children could relate to. This book delivers the biblical truths of the Garden right alongside a heartwarming message of family, diversity, and God’s faithfulness, all through the eyes of curious young Lucy.
The story showcases the beauty and diversity with which our Creator made the human family, and it emphasizes how we all go back to what I like to call the First Family: Adam and Eve. There has been much dissension recently in our culture over race. But really there is only one race. No matter the color of our skin, where we were born, or the languages we speak, we all go back to Adam and Eve in the Garden; and we are all created in God’s image.
More than anything, this book series is meant to drive the truth home to young readers that their lives matter—that every life matters to God.
Q: Your books contain beautiful, colorful illustrations by Jelena Vitorovic. What is your favorite illustration, and why does it speak to you?
A: That’s hard to choose, because I am so impressed by this illustrator! Originally, I only signed on with my publisher for the first book. By the time I was offered a contract for the seven-book series, the illustrator was taking extended time off for maternity leave. Fortunately for me and my publisher, the illustrator for this second book (who will work on the entire series) did a phenomenal job of matching the original style and characters. And honestly, I think she took it up a notch. Every page is like a beautiful work of art!
If I must choose just one favorite, I’ll choose the Cherubim. We have kept the angels true to the Bible’s description. It’s compelling!
Q: I understand there are to be seven books in this series. What Biblical stories do you plan to feature in these seven books?
A: This series follows the major chronological events and people in the Bible that are important to building a solid faith, like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, of course! This next book covers Noah and why God made the rainbow.
Q: How may my readers find out more about you and connect with you on social media?
A: Readers can find me on most social media platforms, with Instagram being my favorite. I’ve included a few direct links below, and also a link to sign up for my monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on books, events, and fun giveaways. Thank you for having me, Joyce!
Website: karenferg.com
Instagram: karenfergusonauthor
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Ferguson/author/B075SHZ1WV?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17184165.Karen_Ferguson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatecommunications.org
Newsletter sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n5z4p0
Thank you, Karen! I look forward to your next book!
Readers, all of my newsletter subscribers will be included in a drawing to win both of Karen’s “Questions for Kids” books (Books 1 and 2 in her current series). I will be randomly selecting a winner on June 23, 2024. If you are already a subscriber, thank you so much. You will be in the drawing. If you have not yet signed up, please subscribe by midnight, June 22. Here’s the link: https://joycemccullough.com/newsletter/. Again, thank you in advance for your support!
Good luck to everyone, happy reading, and have a great summer!
Blessings,
The Literary Lyonesse
You interview some interesting folks. I enjoyed reading the statement that we are all one family; Gods family. I just read that to mention that there is one race “the human race” is now considered being racist. Thank goodness the idea of Gods family supersedes definitions coined by those with just earthly wisdom and intentions.
Any book that helps children early on get the idea that God loves us all and we are members of his family is one that should be on all family bookshelves. Keep “running towards the roar” and giving the followers more food for thought….a zero calorie delight.
Pete, you are awesome!