If you’ve never met author, editor and all-round-wonderful-human-being, Jennifer Grant, then here’s your chance. I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’m her friend in real life! (It’s true… we even eat together!)
Jennifer writes for all ages, but I’m most interested in her gentle children’s titles, including the best-selling Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too and her upcoming new release, What If I Can’t Explain God? (You MUST preorder that one!)
Last year she released a gem of a book called Sing, Wrestle, Spin: Prayers for Active Kids a lovely title that invites children aged 6-10 to explore imaginative ways to pray using all their senses. As someone who was raised hearing the familiar words: hands together and eyes closed, I was immediately drawn to this book and its potential for children’s ministry.
In celebration of this lovely book, I sat down with Jennifer to ask her a few questions about what drives her as a writer and in particular, what inspired her to write Sing, Wrestle, Spin. She even agreed to give two copies of this lovely book away to my lucky readers! Read on to discover more about her and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end…
Hi Jen! I’m so happy you’re here today to chat about your lovely book, Sing, Wrestle, Spin, but
first of all, what’s one fun thing about you that we won’t find in your bio?
Funny you ask! I recently added some “fun facts” to my new website, including that I love Hop
On/Hop Off buses. I’ve ridden on them all over the world! You can read some other ones, here. Here’s one not mentioned on my site: I LOVE musicals! When my kids were growing up, we
watched Singin’ in the Rain, Silk Stockings, High Society, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame
many, many times. I love newer musicals, too, and have seen shows including The Band’s Visit,
Moulin Rouge, Wicked, Come from Away, Dear Evan Hanson, and more, in NYC as well as here
in Chicago. (The Band’s Visit is a particular favorite.)
Well, I love those Hop On/Hop Off buses too. (And I see you in the rain on the top deck here!) Tell us a little bit about what drives you as a writer… when you sit down to write, what inspires you?
When my oldest was in first grade, his teacher asked, at a parent-teacher conference, what were my academic goals for him and how could he help my son meet them. (He was an excellent teacher!) I said: “Protect and nurture his curiosity!”
In my work for kids, I want to respect their intelligence as well as their curiosity. In terms of my faith-based books (and I know you feel the same way, Glenys), I want to invite kids to connect with God in a healthy and life-giving way. I don’t want to give them messages about the Divine that make them feel bored or preached at or, worse, left with feelings of shame or rejection.
That is SO lovely, Jen, and you’re right… I feel exactly the same way. (Also, what an AWESOME teacher your son had!) What legacy do you hope to leave through your words?
I hope my work will leave kids feeling more understood, more loved, and, again, more curious about the natural world and about God.
I love that, Jennifer. What inspired Sing, Wrestle, Spin?
An editor friend at Church/Morehouse publishers asked if I would consider writing a book about
prayer for kids about 6-10 years old. One of my first thoughts when I began to work on it was Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. As you might know, Gardner, a cognitive psychologist and author, doesn’t think it’s useful to ask whether a person is “intelligent.” Instead, he says there are eight types of intelligence: musical-rhythmic, visual-spatial, verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
So, one of the first things I did when I started writing this book was to revisit those types and
think about what kinds of prayers might be verbal or mathematical or kinesthetic or involve the natural world. The title of the book points to the fact that there are different ways to pray. I
wanted all kids—regardless of their gifts or disabilities or the various ways they are intelligent—to find ways to express themselves to God.
What a beautiful, inclusive way to approach the book. Do you have a favorite chapter?
Right now, I’m connecting most with the “Question” and “Wrestle” chapters. It’s been such a
challenging few years when kids (as well as adults) have felt overwhelmed with doubt and loss
and anxiety. We’ve all been through a lot! Those two chapters acknowledge the very real griefs
and injustices that we experience and invite kids to bring their real emotions and thoughts about these things to God.
I love those chapters too. In closing, Jennifer, what do you hope readers will take away from Sing, Wrestle, Spin?
The epigraph I chose for this book is a prayer known as the “St. Therese Prayer.” It is:
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
That prayer sums up my very best hopes for readers of this book!
What a beautiful way to close our interview, Jen! Thank you so much for who you are an what you do.
Would you like to win a copy of this lovely book that would make a wonderful gift for a child in your life or a children’s pastor? Here are two ways to win… enter on both platforms for maximum chances!
- Leave a comment right here, under this post, telling me who you would share the book with.
- Enter on my Facebook Author Page.
- Bonus Entries: Share this post on any social media channel OR email it to a friend for five extra entries (let me know in the comments below!)
That’s it! This giveaway closes on Saturday 3rd June. Open to USA entries only.
I’d love to share a copy of this book with my niece, who teaches at a private Christian school.
It would be a wonderful resource for her, Joyce! Thanks for being our first entrant!
We have a growing, active group of 6-9 year olds. It’s such fun to watch them tell stories with great body action. Praying is always the way we close (never sit and fold your hands). I would love new ideas.
Then you will love this book, Alaire. Thanks so much for entering!
I love the idea of this book – especially for our Embrace ministry for special needs adults and children.
Oh, it would be ideal for that ministry, Stephanie. And what a lovely name for it, too.
Stephanie, I’m thrilled to let you know that you are one of the winners! Please email your address to glenysnellist@gmail.com
I will share with my daughter and son in law who are 1st and 2nd grade teachers.
They would love it, Doris! ♥️
Sounds wonderful—would love to have one with me at school! (Christian school)
It would be perfect for your class, Judy!
I would love t o win this book. My formation team needs to read this book. I need to read this book. Our parents need to read this book. I am sure I will be ordering a copy, but it would be nice to have more than one.
Always looking for resources that bring kids closer to God. I’d love to share this one with families!
Debbie, it’s such a great resource for families!
Absolutely, Missy! Everyone needs to read it, and it would be great to include in a family library at church.
I would share this book with my Presbyterian minister connections (neither of whom who are on Instagram, like me).
Mary, thanks so much for entering!
I would love to use this book at our monthly Messy Church!
Oh, it would be PERFECT for that!
I would love a copy!
You will love it, too, Paula!
We have just started a “children’s church ‘ type program, and I would love to read the book to them.
Amy, I think that would be the perfect setting for it!
I am currently in my first year of ministry as Director of Christian Education and am still building my reource library. This would be a huge benefit to my ministry and especially the kids I work with!! Thank you for this opportunity!
It would be a great resource for your library, Kristy!
I’d love to gift it to my daughter, mother of three very active and curious boys!
That is a great idea, Lane!
I would start by sharing this with my grandson now son who struggles with accepting who he is and that he is loved.
I would also share this with my adult son’s ever changing foster family so each child learns to communicate with God in their own way.
I would also share it with my Kindergarten teacher friends who struggle to pray effectively WITH busy kids!
It would be helpful in all those scenarios, Ann.
Also sharing on fb and tagging a few people in that post!
Thank you so much, Ann! Extra entries!
wonderful interview. Thank you!
Thank you, Shannon. I love learning more about authors and what inspires them.
To start, I will share this book with my 9two-year-old son…then with everyone I can. I interact with LOTS of kids daily.
Sounds like a wonderful book! I’d give it to my granddaughter. I shared this post on Twitter.
Thank you so much, Kim. Extra entries!
Oh my goodness! I’d share this with the children whose parents/grands watch my weekly GODtalk! I need to recommend something wonderful that’s new and fresh.
I think that would be a great place to share it, Darla. Thanks for entering!
Thanks to all who entered and congrats to the two winners: Stephanie Parrott and Elisabeth Danielsons.