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Back in July, I interviewed Rachel Pellegrino, the owner of Little Lamb Books, an award-winning publisher of children’s books, and she shared about how children’s books can change lives. 

I was excited to learn that Little Lamb Books has two new Christmas picture books that just released at the end of October! 

• The Christmas Color by Tori Higa (Amazon Affiliate Link) reminds readers of the true reason for the season—and shares why red is such a popular color during this time, from Santa’s red clothes to Rudolph’s shiny red nose, from the berries we pick to sweet peppermint sticks.
• Cairo’s Christmas Journey by Janet L. Christensen (Amazon Affiliate Link) shares the adventure of a cricket named Cairo as he heads to Bethlehem to play a lullaby for the newborn Messiah—if only Bethlehem weren’t so far away!
• Little Lamb Books also has an award-winning Christmas picture book released back in 2018 called C is for Christmas by Michelle Medlock Adams (Amazon Affiliate Link). This ABC holiday book pairs scenes from the first Christmas with the traditions of today to bring together all the best elements of the season into a delightful read-aloud.

Tori, Janet, and Michelle are passionate about sharing God’s love with children through their words, and through the joy of the Christmas season. I loved hearing how God has led them through their creative process—and I hope you will too!

Here are their answers to a few questions about Christmas, the messages of their stories, and their journeys with our Creator.

What inspired you to write a children’s book about Christmas?

Tori: “I have a stack of Christmas picture books I have collected over the years and I set them out on my coffee table every holiday season. I think I will continue to collect them even when my kids are grown because I love them so much. There is something about the feeling of a real book in your hands and the slowing down of time that occurs when you thumb through the pages. Because I have loved picture books for so long, especially Christmas picture books, I wanted to create a book with the thoughtfulness in word and art that I have come to love that can be shared year after year with young and old readers alike.”

Janet: “I have always loved Christmas. One of my favorite things every year is the singing of Silent Night during the candlelight service at church. There is something about the soft glow of the candles in the darkness and the voices joined as one that brings me to reflect deeply on the very best gift we have ever received. I wanted to share that feeling with young readers in a way that was fun and engaging. Cairo’s Christmas Journey is the result. Cairo’s long trip is filled with bumps in the road, but when he finally makes it, I hope that kids will experience the feeling that the birth of Jesus Christ is the best gift they, too, will ever receive.”

Michelle: “Well, I actually have written several children’s books about my favorite holiday—Christmas. I first wrote Memories of the Manger (Ideals Children’s Books) and then What is Christmas? (WorthyKids) and The Shepherds Shook in Their Shoes (Arch Books/Concordia Publishing House) and then Happy Birthday, Jesus! (WorthyKids)—the last Christmas book for kids that I have written is C is for Christmas with Little Lamb Books. As I shared, Christmas is my very favorite holiday. Seriously, I would put up our Christmas tree in October if my husband would allow it, lol. I am the girl who starts playing Christmas music even before Halloween. I just love this holiday so I guess it makes sense that I would want to share my love and excitement about all things Christmas through words. C is for Christmas is a very special book because we intentionally crafted it to play well in both the public schools and Christian schools, covering all aspects of Christmas. From angels to the manger to presents to the yule log, I tried to offer all aspects of this amazingly special season.”

What is a message you’re passionate about sharing with your readers, especially in the Christmas season?

Tori: “It may sound simple, but I am passionate about letting children know how much Jesus loves them. I want my readers to know that we can be reminded of the great sacrificial love of Jesus through the color red and the many fun traditions that surround us at Christmas. It’s the perfect time of year to remember Jesus—that He loves us so much that He was born into this world to die for our salvation.”

Janet: “No matter what kind of rough spots life takes you through, no matter what bad things happen, you are never alone. God is always with you and He will never desert you when the going gets tough. Because of God’s great love for us, He is willing to go to great lengths to help us through those times. Some of the greatest blessings in my life came during some dark moments, in the form of people acting as the hands and feet of Christ. I want kids to know that not only will God never leave them, but that there are people around them that God will use to support them as well. No matter how hard things get, they are never, ever alone.”

Michelle: “You know, in all of my books, whether I’m writing for women or children, the message of hope and encouragement is a common thread. But, during the Christmas season, I also want to share about the real meaning of Christmas—that Jesus is the best present of all. In C is for Christmas the text celebrates all of the important aspects of the holiday—Jesus coming to earth, getting together with family and friends, having a generous and grateful heart, etc.”

What have you learned about God, our Creator, through your personal creative process?

Tori: “I have learned that God gives each of us talents and that we are to use them for His glory. I am inspired by the Parable of the Bags of Gold in Matthew 25:14-30 where Jesus talks of each man being given a bag of gold according to their ability and how they each use it. Some used it wisely and were rewarded, while the one who buried his gold had to face his consequence. I may not be a Picasso or a Hemingway, but I want to use the gifts God has given me, no matter how small, to the best of my ability. In my own personal creative experience, I have felt led and inspired to create. At times I am not even looking to be creative, I feel like the Lord has given me little inspirations, desires, and skills to create something either as a writer or an illustrator. I definitely felt His hand on me during the entire process of the making of The Christmas Color.”

Janet: “God has blessed me with so many lessons through my writing process, but I think the most powerful one for me is that God’s timing is perfect. Good Night, Fireflies, my debut picture book about a little boy that learns that when he is afraid, God is always with him, was written 6 years ago. But because of a series of events outside of my control, it wasn’t published until September of 2019…seven months before schools were closed for most kiddos and their normal lives were completely disrupted. Each delay brought me frustration and anxiety. After all, I just wanted to get my book published. But God knew right when that message would be needed the most. Looking back, that is clear to me. Yes, indeed. His timing is perfect.”

Michelle: “The main thing I’ve learned is that without Him, I can do nothing. The Lord Jesus Christ is my everything. He inspires me and gives me ideas and the right words to reach little hearts for Him. I’m honored and amazed every single day that I get to do this thing I love. It’s the best job ever.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Tori Higa is inspired by her faith, family, and friends, coffee shops and people-watching, and all things vintage. She has always loved making art and recently began pairing her hand-crafted pictures with the stories she writes to share with young kids. She considers it a high honor to make books to inspire kids and encourage their faith journey. She currently lives in California with her husband, two kids, and a puppy named Edie. Get updates at www.torihiga.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Janet L. Christensen is an award-winning writer, speaker, and encourager that loves to captivate audiences with inspiring stories. She is a pastor’s wife, a children’s and women’s ministry leader, and the proud mother of two teenage sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sully. Janet’s first picture book, Good Night, Fireflies, was a 2020 Cascade Book Award winner and a 2020 International Book Award finalist. To learn more about Janet and her books, visit www.janetlchristensen.com.

Michelle Medlock Adams, award-winning and bestselling author, embraces the true meaning of Christmas as well as the holiday traditions she and her husband, Jeff, have made for their family over the last twenty-seven years. Author of over eighty books, Michelle has won more than twenty-five writing awards for her children’s books, including four SELAH awards and a Golden Scroll. She is a sought-after speaker, respected teacher, and genuine encourager. You can learn more about Michelle at www.michellemedlockadams.com.

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