It’s here! It’s here! Today is release day for my newest picture book, Wherever You Are. 
Eight years ago, on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, when my first-born grandson was just three years old and I had the enormous privilege of taking care of him, it was snowing.
He stood by the window in our front room, and as he watched the snow fall silently outside, he was so very still that I took a photo. After a moment, he turned to me and asked, in his three-year-old voice, Where’s God?
I did not know it then, but that ordinary moment on that ordinary day would become a picture book exploring the simple yet powerful premise that wherever you are, God is there.
Neither did I imagine that illustrator, Sian James, would use the photograph I took that long-ago day as the basis for one of the first illustrations, or that I would later appear in one of the pages. To see my grandson in the book, to find out why and where I’m in it, and of course, to enter the whopping FOUR-BOOK giveaway, read on…
Here’s the photograph I took of my grandson eight years ago..
And here he is, depicted by Sian James…
The other true story behind the book happened around that same time, when I was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The street we lived on was called Lenox Rd, where I raked leaves with my neighbor one long-ago autumn day. Don’t ask me why, but as I leaned on my rake and the golden leaves tumbled down, I just had this tremendous sense of God’s presence all around… in the air, in the wind, in the trees, and most of all, in the eyes of my neighbor.
Never did I imagine that those two ordinary moments would somehow, years later, find their way into the pages of a picture book. But it just goes to show that we never quite know where the extraordinary is hiding.
No matter where we are, where we go, or how we are feeling, God is with us…
Would you like to win a copy of Wherever You Are for a child in your life, a Sunday school teacher or to donate to a church library? As always, I have several easy ways to enter this four-book giveaway sponsored by Beaming Books. Enter on all four platforms for maximum chances!
- Leave a comment here on my website, under this post, telling me who you would share the book with.
- Leave a comment under this post on my Facebook Author Page.
- Enter on Instagram.
- Enter on Twitter.
- Bonus Entry: Share this post on any social media channel (let me know!)
That’s it! This giveaway closes on Saturday 4th March, but you can enter several more giveaways coming up in the next several weeks on Instagram. Open to USA entries only.
Don’t forget to download your free Activity Pack that contains colorings, cute backpack tags and more!
Join me for the Book Launch Event at Baker Book House on Saturday March 11th, 11am!
Love your books for our kids here at Braddock Street UMC
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that, Patty! Thanks so much for your kind words and for entering the giveaway.
I always get copies of your books to keep on hand. This particular book I want to read in Chapel will our playschool kids and also to read in Children’s Church.
Thank you for sharing your gift of writing!
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that, Melissa. Thank you!
I’d love to be entered! I’d share with my children and my church!!
Thanks for entering, Shannon!
Ah. love your new book and the art work is exceptional! I love it that this story is based on real life experiences and inspired by grandchildren! What a blessing!
If I won your book giveaway I would have to donate it to a church library as I have no children or grands of my own!
Thanks for the chance to enter!
Patricia, thank you so much for your kind words, and for being willing to donate the book to your church library. That is wonderful!
My youngest grandson, Jude, will be three next month. I’d love to share this book with him.
Thank you, Donna. They are never too young for picture books!
What a beautiful book Glenys! I would share your story with my 5 year old autistic grandson. He loves books so much, and it is always a joy to read to him, especially one of your books!
Oh, how lovely, Sue! And it’s always lovely to hear from you!
I LOVE this! I would share this book with all the children at our church.
That’s wonderful, Amber! Thanks so much for entering!
I would share it with my kids.
Thank you so much, Leela!
What a wonderful story behind your newest book, Glenys,! I’d share it with the preschoolers at our school.
Thank you so much, Kathy. Glad you entered!
I love the book and the pictures. The part about saying goodbye touches me. I have had to say goodbye many times over the past decade, and it is very hard at times. I would share this book with my granddaughter who is turning three years old in two days, and we even share a birthday!
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Laura. And how wonderful that you and your granddaughter share a birthday!
A perfect book for my 2year old grand nieces I will finally meet this Spring
Oh, how wonderful that will be, Muriel! Thanks for entering!
I can’t wait to share this with my nephews, but also think I might use it to kick off an adult Bible study this summer!
Oh, what a great idea, Megan!
I would share it with my granddaughter!
Thanks for entering, Peggie!
I would love to share this lovely book with my grandson, who will be moving to Germany.
Oh, Julie…you’re going to miss him! Thanks for entering!
Hi Julie… congrats! You are one of the winners!
Thanks to everyone who entered, and congrats to Julie, who was the winner on this website.