Book Review & Interview with Author Vanessa Fortenberry

Book cover Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God

Write2Ignite’s Jean Hall interviews author Vanessa Fortenberry about her book, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God.

Why do we think it is strange for young children to want to praise the Lord? Author Vanessa Fortenberry turns this idea on its head in her book Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God.

In author, Vanessa Fortenberry’s book children from various cultures and ethnicities seek the advice of their grandparents on how to express their praises for God. Their elders’ answers give children many reasons for singing, dancing, and lifting their hands to worship the Lord.

Sharing Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God is a great way for parents and grandparents to encourage their children and grandchildren to joyfully express praises to the Lord.

Award Winning Author

Vanessa Fortenberry is an award winning inspirational author of the children’s book series, Families Growing in Faith with the books: Mama, I Want to See God, Daddy, I Want to Know God, and Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God. Vanessa writes to communicate inspirational messages to children and adults.

A Georgia Peach, Vanessa recently retired as a teacher librarian. A passionate singer, Vanessa enjoys worshiping in her church choir in Stone Mountain, Georgia and singing with the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus. She receives pleasure in baking her favorite desserts for her family and friends. To learn more about Vanessa, her writing endeavors, and to subscribe to her quarterly newsletter, please visit her website at www.vanessafortenberry.com.

I asked Vanessa some questions about her latest book. I’m sharing her responses to encourage you to follow your heart when writing for children, too.

Author Interview with Vanessa Fortenberry

JEAN: Where did you get the idea for writing this book, Vanessa?

VANESSA: Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God stemmed from the two proceeding books in the series, Families Growing in Faith. After my first book, Mama, I Want to See God (my grandson was the inspiration) was published, a friend and I brainstormed two additional titles to make it a three-book series. We decided that my next two books should include dads and grandparents. All three books reflect a child’s curiosity about God.

JEAN: What do you hope your book shows young children?

VANESSA: I want young children to discover that praising God brings joy and shows our thanks to a loving God, and that fostering habits of praise and gratitude can empower them.

JEAN: Why do you think there is a need for writing books like this?

VANESSA: In today’s world, children will be challenged regarding their faith, so we need to teach them about God. It becomes increasingly important for our children to have the ability to recognize and evaluate arguments against God’s existence. Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God instills truths about what praising God means, and the significance of praising Him. Children need to know that God is worthy our of praise, and that we honor Him as we glorify Him. This book will encourage and inspire children in their faith journey.

JEAN: Thank you, Vanessa, for sharing your writer’s heart with us.

Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God, is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, orwherever books/eBooks are sold online.