When I read the flyer that accompanied last month's issue of the “Our Daily Bread” devotional, I was intrigued by the image of the brand-new children's book, God, the Great I AM (illustrated by Thaís Mesquita, published by Our Daily Bread, 2026). The author of that beautiful book is author and poet Sydney Ann Johnson, and today, I'm excited to introduce Sydney to you as we celebrate together, and learn more about her writing. Welcome, Sydney!

Interview

Sue: Please tell us the story behind the writing of God, the Great I AM.

Sydney: I was inspired to write God, The Great I AM by one of my favorite Bible stories, the story of Moses. When I was a little girl, I loved to learn about the different attributes of God and His different names. In Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM,” signifying His eternal and self-existent nature.

In my late 20s, I experienced insecurities, but also God’s love and care. I thought about the stars, the birds, and the seasons, and wondered, Who is the force behind the beauty of nature? Who holds our entire existence together? Who made mankind? It’s God. His creations reveal His majesty and ingenuity.

I turned to God’s Word where I read how God considered every detail—my skin color, my nose, my hair, my lips, all of which are by His intricate design. I was made in His image. It was time to embrace who I was, because the Creator of this world and the galaxies wove me together with great love (Psalm 139:13-14). My desire is for children to grab hold of this message early on: they, too, are the Father’s precious creation, deeply loved by Him.

Sue: What are some ways parents and educators might use God, The Great I AM with kids?

Sydney: My book makes a great tool to help explain the complexity of God to a child. Laced with biblical truths, this book can serve as a wonderful conversation starter, and is a great resource for Sunday school curriculum and Christian academies. In the back matter, I’ve included a letter to grown-ups, along with a list of scriptures, which I hope families will read during their personal Bible study time.

Sue: You did a lovely job painting pictures with your lyrical language, and Thaís Mesquita’s bright, cheery illustrations pair perfectly with your words. If you were asked to choose just one spread to frame and hang on the wall, which one would it be?

Sydney: Thank you! That’s a tough question—I love every single spread! But I’d select the one that illustrates Revelation 22:13. This spread reminds me that God is the reason for His own existence, He created everything, and I don’t have to worry about anything. My life and times are in His hands. Thaís’s illustrations did a beautiful job of showcasing diversity and God’s creativity.

Sue: If you could give your 12-year-old self one piece of writing advice, what would you say?

Sydney: Continue to write through the good and bad times of life. You’ll encounter things that might discourage you from writing, but no matter how hard it gets, keep writing. God uses our low points as launching pads to spring us into the purpose He has for our lives. Writing is a faith journey and an important tool for self-discovery.

Sue: What can we look forward to seeing from you next?

Sydney:  My readers can look forward to a possible devotional and my next children’s book; as long as I’m living, I’ll be learning and writing. Currently, I’m seeking inspiration for my next book. I’m taking time to appreciate what God has already done for me and through me with the release of God, The Great I AM. I loved working with Our Daily Bread, which helped bring my debut children’s book to life. I hope to share more messages that will touch the minds and hearts of future generations.

Sue: Please finish these thoughts:

My favorite Bible character... is Moses. He was courageous, passionate, and loved God and His people. He saw some amazing acts of God. Could you imagine a burning bush speaking to you or walking through the Red Sea with walls of water on each side?

I love.. school visits and story times with children. I love seeing their faces light up while they use their imagination and ask questions as we move through the story.

I was hoping you’d ask... Do you have any other publications? Yes, my poem “Retail” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: I’m Speaking Now: Black Women Share Their Truth in 101 Stories of Love, Courage and Hope by Amy Newmark and Breena Clarke.

Thank you, Sydney! It was wonderful to have you join us today. We wish you well on the launch of your lovely book.

GIVEAWAY!

Sydney is giving a copy of God, the Great I AM to one of our readers. To win a copy of the book, please leave a comment below by April 2nd.

Children’s author and educator Sue Irwin has written nature features, and biographical and how-to craft articles for various magazines, including AppleSeeds and Highlights for Children, and she’s a frequent contributor to Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. She’s excited about her upcoming board book, Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp? (B&H Publishing, 2026) – releasing in August! – and more coming in 2027. Sue hosts W2I’s monthly Time2Write sessions, and she invites you to connect with her here.