Children's Book | Over Coffee Conversations

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kathleen T. Pelley.

Kathleen T. Pelley has authored many children’s books like the ‘Giant King’ and Five Little Angels. You may have gotten a copy of these already. In this interview, she’ll talk about her latest book, Jesús, Mary and Joseph which is very timely for the approaching Christmas season.

1. You have written many interesting children’s books. Is there something special in this new book, Jesús, Mary, and Joseph? What would be a good lesson or value that children can pick up from this story?

When I talk to children about the books I write or about the stories I tell on my storytelling podcast, I always share with them that good stories are a lot like journeys, and just as, when we return from a visit to another country, we might bring back some kind of souvenir as a reminder of our time in another land, so too, a good story should leave us with some kind of “souvenir” – that is the little nugget of truth about what it means to be human and walk in this world. While fiction is not true in the sense that the events and characters are imagined and not real, it is true in this other way – it touches on a universal truth about our humanity. So, all of that to say, I hope the souvenirs from this book might be:

When we love a lot like Jesús did in this story, then we are making a “home” for Jesus in our hearts. (This is how children can relate the meaning of Christmas to their daily lives.)

Playing the role of another character, like Jesús, who was Innkeeper #2, can help us see the world through another’s eyes and make us kinder and more compassionate.

We can all be “stars” whenever we love a lot as that lights up the world for others.

2. How long did it take you to write, Jesús, Mary, and Joseph?

I actually wrote this story a long time ago – over 10 years ago, but it went through many, many revisions. Some publishers I sent it to, liked it but wanted it to be a chapter book, others liked it but thought it was too “religious.” I worked on it with my critique group and that was when I got the idea for writing it in the form of prayers from this little Hispanic boy asking God to help him be the best innkeeper #2 ever. So, altogether, I think it took me around 18months or so to write this story. Then, I eventually decided to publish this book through my storytelling podcast press, and that was a couple of years ago, when I found an illustrator I loved. Then I worked with a great book designer who helped us work through how to show Jesús praying off stage in some of the scenes in a way that would not be confusing for the reader. She also helped me with an idea I had for making the back cover of the book be the school’s program showing the list of characters in the Nativity. The illustrations and book design took us about a year, and then of course –COVID arrived. So we postponed going to press from last Christmas to this year.

3. How did you develop the plot of the story?

This is one of those stories that was actually based on real life. I know many editors caution writers about doing this, mainly because a real life event does not always translate into a good picture book- and we need to ensure we are keeping all those essential elements that make a good picture book, such as character development, conflict, pacing, and a satisfying resolution. So, I got the initial idea for the story when I heard about my nephew in Scotland who was in his school’s nativity and one of the children – a boy who was an innkeeper, told Mary and Joseph, that they could come on home and have his room. I just loved that childlike innocence and the notion that this wee boy was so swept up in the story, he just blurted out his thoughts and went completely off script. When I decided to write it in form of prayers to God, that was when I decided to make the main character a little Hispanic boy who had the same name as God’s son.

4. Is there a difference between writing typical children’s books from those that are more on the spiritual aspect?

Hmmm, well I don’t think so – others may disagree with me, but as a children’s author, I like to think I am trying to do what E. B. White says about writing – “All I want to say in books, all I ever wanted to say, is I LOVE the world.” Whenever I write any story – I am writing from my head and heart and soul – about what I love in this world. Writing is in and of itself, I believe, connected to one’s inner life – whether you call that heart or soul or spirit – that does not mean I have to write a story that is overtly religious. In fact, the spiritual meaning of Christmas for Christians, is quite simply, what Madeleine L’Engle maintains, “There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation.”

5. How do you go about writing a new book? Does it always come from inspiration, an event, or do you just feel a spark and start writing the story?

It can be any of those – as I just mentioned this most recent picture book was based – loosely – on a real life event. Sometimes, I will get a “spark” as I did for one of my older picture books, Inventor McGregor, and I sit down to write with the story just spilling out in almost one sitting – but that is rare. Other times, I will have the seed of an idea and I just need to let it simmer for months before it grows into something where I know I can make it into a picture book. I have learned over time that the best way for me to work through problems or blocks, is just to sit down and write. I am a huge believer in writing multiple drafts with pencil and paper before I even to type it up – I can write better with no physical barrier between me and my thoughts.

6. Are there authors or books that have influenced your writing style?

Probably C.S. Lewis is one of my major influences.

When my uncle first gave me The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I spurned it immediately on account of that pesky word, “wardrobe.” As an ardent lover of fairytales, I simply could not accept the notion that something as mundane and perfunctory as a piece of furniture had any business being in my story. I wanted wonder. I craved magic. I needed mystery. And as far as I was concerned, all of these things were quite separate from the world of ordinary everyday objects. Of course, when I finally succumbed to opening the first page, I fell in love with that magical land. Thanks to Mr. Lewis, I learned that magic and mystery are not separate from the ordinary and the mundane, and that we need the ordinary to reach the extraordinary. In my own writing process and in my daily life, I think I am always looking for those glimmers of grace and goodness, those bolts of beauty, or whiffs of wonder that simmer underneath the ordinary surfaces of our lives. And THAT is what I want to write about.

7. Have you ever been on a literary pilgrimage before?

No – but it sounds wonderful. How do I sign up?

8. Would you share a short message for your readers that they can reflect on based on the story you have written, write, Jesús, Mary, and Joseph?

This Christmas – whether or not you celebrate this holiday in a religious way or not – think about all the people in your life who have been “stars” for you- people who believed in you and touched you in some way with their particular and unique grace and goodness.  Remember them and give thanks for them and reflect on how you are, or can best  be,  a “star” to those around you this holiday season – how can you light up the world for others?

THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN T. PELLEY is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, but spent most of her childhood summers playing on her grandparents’ farm in Ireland. Her passion for stories stemmed from listening to them on the radio during the BBC children’s story hour. She is the award-winning author of seven other picture books and hosts her own storytelling podcast, Journey with Story.

For more information, visit https://kathleenpelley.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jesús, Mary, and Joseph

Written by Kathleen T. Pelley

Illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic

Ages 3-7 | 32 Pages

Publisher: Journey with Story Press | ISBN-13: 9780578651965

Publisher’s Synopsis: After Jesús finally lands a part as an innkeeper in his school’s Nativity play, he asks God to help him be the best innkeeper ever. Day by day, he grows more and more confident in his role, but on opening night, he finds himself so swept up in this long-ago world, that when Mary and Joseph ask him, ”Do you have any room at your inn?” he comes up with his own answer, causing chaos on the stage.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lYbq8y

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780578651965