Kevin Thompson
Greetings, everyone, from Kevin Thompson! We’re in full summer mode in Florida. Wake up. Already hot. Muggy all day. Afternoon thunderstorms. Go to bed. Wake up. Rinse and Repeat. So, I’m inside where the A/C is cool, the air is dry, and the Lay-Z-boy is comfy. It’s here that we welcome children’s book author, Diane Stortz!
Welcome, Diane! Tell us about your book, I AM: The Names of God for Toddlers.
Diane Stortz
Bible stories, verses, and prayers help toddlers and preschoolers get to know God by discovering the meaning of twelve different names for God, such as Creator, Savior, Healer, Teacher, and Friend. It’s an 8×8-inch board book with a padded cover.
That’s cool. Why did you write this book?
It was a natural follow-up to I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God, and I AM Devotional, just for a younger age group. Each of the three books is based on names in the Bible for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and uses Bible stories and devotional thoughts to illustrate the meaning of each name. God tells us a lot through His names about who He is and what He does. As children learn about His names, they discover His character and His love for them and grow to know, love, and trust the great I AM more and more.
I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones, by Diane Stortz
What’s your favorite thing about the book?
I love the whole package—the great artwork, beautiful cover (so much glitter!), and age-appropriate page design.
What themes do you return to again and again in your writing?
I’m all about making God’s wonders known to the next generation. For grandparents like me, there are at least two generations behind us, and they need to know God. Both children and adults learn to know God through their experiences with other believers, of course, but my mission is to help people get to know God through His Word, the Bible. I believe everything about our life with God flows from there.
What would be your ideal writing place? And . . . what’s your actual writing place like?
I would love to live at the beach! You could find me day or night with my laptop on a balcony, enjoying the view and the sounds of the surf. My actual writing place is my cheerful, somewhat messy home office with a window to the backyard.
That’s my dream location, too. Give me a balcony on the beach, and I’d have no reason to leave. Tell about your most touching moment with a reader.
I’m always amazed and grateful when a reader takes time to write or email to thank me for a book. I work hard to communicate biblical truth accurately and in age-appropriate ways, and I’m always encouraged when I hear how God has used my efforts in someone’s life.
What ministries are you involved in, and why?
Writing, family life, and church life are at the top of my list currently. My husband and I have five young grandsons as well as family spread out from Seattle, WA, to Savannah, GA—from north to south and east to west. For 11 years we sponsored a child through Compassion International, and now we provide support for a child through Missions of Hope in Nairobi, Kenya, where our church is involved.
Tell us your favorite library memory.
I have many childhood library memories! My mother took me to get my first library card as soon as I could print my name in first grade. We went to the library often and I took home armfuls of books each time. I loved browsing the stacks to choose books—I still do!
Before we go, tell us about your next project.
I have a 52-week devotional for busy families due out in January 2019, with short, active Bible stories, think-and-talk questions, and fun follow-up activities. I’m working on a 365-day devotional through the Bible for women due out in September 2019.
Sounds like you’ve been busy writing. Congratulations, Diane, and we want to thank you for taking the time to join us here at the CAN blog!
For those who wish to learn more about Diane and her writing ministry, please visit Diane’s website!
Until next time, May God bless you, and may you bless God!
Kevin Thompson
