We are so excited to announce the upcoming release of Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp? by one of our Write2Ignite team members, Sue Irwin. Congratulations, Sue!

Interview

Kathy: What was the inspiration for Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp?

Sue: I love this question! I'm always curious to hear from other writers about the inspiration for their books, too. And every project is different.

I was working on memorizing Psalm 145 – a praise psalm by David. When I got to the tenth verse, which says, “All your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you,” I wondered how creation might thank God. Then, when I imagined each animal thanking him for something different, the idea really took off.

Kathy: Please tell us a little bit about the story.

Sue: Hey There, Blue Bird is a board book for children from birth to five years. It introduces preschoolers to animal sounds and colors while showing them how each animal (and each reader) was made to glorify the God who made them.

Originally, we pitched the idea as a picture book, but my publisher, B&H Kids, envisioned it as a board book. And really, this is exactly what the book was meant to be. With its rhyme and repetition, and a touch of gentle humor near the end, it shares the message of God’s love in a fun way for little children.

The last line is one I hope stays with kids long after they close the book. If they can repeat those words and if the statement really is true for them, that would be so awesome!

Kathy: Do you have a favorite illustration from the book?

Sue: Ooh… Agnieszka Wajda did such a fabulous job making her illustrations show joy and playfulness on every page!

I have a couple of favorite animals, but instead of choosing just one, I'll take the easy way out! An illustration near the end of the book shows all the animals celebrating together. I can just imagine the joyful noise! So, I'll say that illustration's my favorite. It really captures the heart of the book.

Kathy: How can Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp? help parents guide their children into a love of God and the Bible?

Sue: Another great question! Hey There, Blue Bird begins and ends with a Bible verse, and focuses on creation’s expression of gratitude for God’s blessings.

I love how B&H Kids provides free downloadable resources to accompany the book. Parents and caregivers can access the "Parent Connection” – a useful tool for initiating conversation, a cute matching game (and more!) by going to heytherebluebirdbook.com.

Kathy: What’s one thing you learned as a beginning writer that you’d like to share with listeners?

Sue: When I was starting out, I attended a writers’ conference where I met an award-winning author. He asked about my writing, and when he autographed his book for me, he wrote, "Get your work out there!"

A few years later, after my first book was published, an older woman at church asked me about it. I shrugged my shoulders and said quietly, "It's about sports." She sensed my hesitation, grabbed my arm, and encouraged me with the words, "Don't hide your light under a bushel!"

I've never forgotten the advice that came from these two wise people. God gave me the desire to write, and the ability. And it's right for me to use these gifts – and share them – with families.

So, that’s what I encourage other writers to do, too. If God has given you the desire and ability to write, follow His leading, have fun using those gifts for Him, and go for it!

Kathy: Where can readers learn more about you and your upcoming projects?

Sue: Readers can find out more about my upcoming middle grade devotional, Animals Making Headlines: 30 Devotions about Brave, Cute, Friendly, Rebellious Creatures (Kregel, 2027), and other projects, plus details about my author visits, and some of my own favorite reads at my website – www.sueirwinwrites.com. 

Originally posted on Kathy O'Neill's blog.

Don't Wait!

You can preorder a copy of Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp? today. (It releases August 4th.) And don't forget to check out Sue and Kathy's other posts on our blog.

GIVEAWAY!

Author Sue Irwin is giving away a copy of Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp?. To enter, leave a comment on this post by July 6th.

Kathy O’Neill grew up in Maine. She loves the Lord and His gifts of family, friends, and pets. Today she lives in Colorado, exchanging walks on the beach for horseback riding in the Rockies, where the wind sings through the pines. As a teacher, writer, and speaker, she enjoys engaging children’s and adult’s hearts and hands to discover God and their own creativity through art, history, and nature. Kathy has written for The Quiet Hour, Light from the Word, Clubhouse Jr., DevoKids, Highlights, Starlight, and Appleseeds. She has a middle grade devotions book about horses coming out with Tyndale in 2026. Visit her website to discover activities and workshops.