Words from the Heart

  Writing About God for the Secular Children’s Audience  by Cinda Jo Bauman  Spoiler alert. The 12-year-old main character in my book, Only My Horses Know , says “crap.”  Several people told me that if a publisher for Christian books found interest in this manuscript, they would make me take the “crap” out of it. But I wanted my characters to be slightly rough and rowdy, a little like I was way back then. I wanted God in my books, but I wanted the books to be available in all bookstores, not only the Christian bookstores. So, I decided to take my chances and let her say it, more than once even.  I was lucky to have been raised to believe in God. Thinking back, I really can't remember my parents talking to me about faith. We were not huge church goers. I loved vacation Bible school each summer, and I enjoyed the occasional church visits with friends and family; so, it must have been a combination of the great example my parents set for me and the pieces of teachi...

On my first visit to my grandchildren in over a year and a half, I took Read-Aloud Stories with Fred Collection by Fred Olds . I thought that if the grandkids liked the stories, then my work writing this review would be easy. What I wasn't prepared for was just how much they liked them! After reading "Sammy the Royal Rabbit" to my granddaughter, K and grandson, L, I asked, "What do you think?" L, who is five and a half, looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I like the ending. Can you read another?" K, who is ten going on one hundred, responded, "Yes, it had a good ending. It taught a lesson, which is good for children. I think it would be a great book to use when teaching comprehension and character development."  Needless to say, I was speechless. On the other hand, they gave me fodder for my review.  I highly recommend this book for children of all ages. The stories have a lovely quality of truth to them. In other words, they suspend disbel...