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Children need to know there will be storms in life and that it is wise to prepare as best you can for them. Readers will learn this from The Grateful Boat, written from Pearl’s perspective. Pearl’s Captain seems to abandon her, leaving her alone to face the worst storm of her life. Children often feel abandoned and afraid as they face the unknowns of moving schools, divorce of their parents, illness, or tragic events. Like Pearl, they do not understand what’s happening and do not like it. Everyone in the story ends up finding something to be grateful for, even though they’ve experienced loss or gotten broken. Pearl’s story may help children of all ages learn that even when they’re upside down and afraid, God may use them to help someone else, without them realizing it.

This story is based on a true event during Hurricane Michael, the third strongest storm to hit the U.S. It’s a great lead-in to many Bible passages about giving thanks to God such as 1 Thess. 5:18, Colossians 2: 6-7, Philippians 4:6 or Psalm 107:1.

What Reading This Book Can Teach Children:

• How God sometimes answers prayers in crazy ways.
• Why it’s important to talk about things that scare us.
• Practical reasons to be grateful to God and trust Him when things change.
• How we may not know we’re helping others in the middle of a storm.

I asked my talented illustrator, Jack Foster, to hide a little bird on each page because my grandchildren love finding hidden pictures. Jack chose a dove, a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, and hid him well. I had to ask some children’s help to find him on a few pages. By searching for the dove on each page, readers and children discover that God hides on every page of our lives and delights when we seek to find Him (Matthew 7:7).

Susan Neal, author of 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates: Healthy Eating for Healthy Living with a Low-Carbohydrate, Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Eat God’s Food: A Kid’s Guide to Healthy Eating

“A beautifully rhymed tale…When loss and sorrow threaten to overwhelm hope, this thoughtfully crafted little book will remind readers of every age that even when we can’t see the Light, it’s there, and our beloved ones are wrapped in God’s care.”

Cheryl Grey Bogstrom, multi-award-winning author of Sugar Birds

I was so touched, my hand flew immediately to my heart.” Dr. Deborah Maxey, award-winning author of The Endling.

This is a children’s book written for adults, the usual trick that works wonders and lifts up parenting to new wonders and delight. The simple ploy of things seen are not what they seem. Chris has found the combination of joy and simplicity that needs to shout to every child before closing eyes for nightly sleep in deep desires that “all is well.” We do a favor to trust our deepest instincts that God’s creation is not only good, but very good. We can now rest deeply and be at peace. Congratulations Chris on your writing and publishing a powerful, little message for a big and vast world in need of hope.  Mary Margeret Funk, OSB, author of the Matter series.

God’s Patient Pursuit of My Soul addresses spiritual matters we don’t talk about publicly: sacred matters we have no vocabulary for, and the importance of sharing moments of divine intimacy to help build God’s kingdom. Winner of two Catholic Press Awards.

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