Today on the Brave Blog we have an interview with Karen Ferguson, author of the Questions for Kids picture book series.
D. T.: Great to have you on the blog again, Karen. Will you share the first line from your latest book with us?
Karen: “Lucy and little Rosie whizzed past Papa Joe down the hallway, scrambling to make a sharp turn into Lucy’s bedroom.” This third book in the Questions for Kids series is about young Lucy and her new puppy Rosie, running fast to hide from a crashing, cracking, pounding summer thunderstorm, which segues into another exciting journey into the Bible. This time going back to Noah’s Ark where Lucy and her Papa discover God is our promise keeper, and the real meaning of the rainbow.
D. T.: And what do you hope readers will take away from your latest/featured book?
Karen: I hope young readers will be comforted by the fact that God’s Word is true and that He is a promise keeper and can be trusted. I include eight foundational scriptures in the back of the book that kids can memorize and hold fast to, even in the storms of life. Powerful Bible verses that cover God’s love, peace, His good plans for them, and His promise to never leave them. This book is also meant to help young people understand the true meaning of the rainbow.
D. T.: So, which of your characters is your favorite?
Karen: Papa Joe, Lucy’s trusted advisor. He is warm and wise and by her side in the most faithful, loving way. He’s my favorite because he’s modeled after my own Dad (red scooter and all), who went home to be with the Lord in 2019.
D. T.: That’s such a wonderful way to remember your dad.
What would you consider to be a “brave” topic in fiction?
Karen: In the current state of our culture, I think any fiction topic from a Christian worldview could be considered brave. I say this because views that challenge the mainstream narrative run the risk of being criticized, suppressed on social media, or even canceled, due to the idea that if they don’t align with secular-humanistic views then they must-be narrow minded, irrelevant, or even “dangerous.”
D. T.: Sad, but very true.
What book are you currently reading?
Karen: Oh boy, my TBR list continues to grow! I’m in a season of reading multiple non-fiction books, including the ones so graciously given to me by podcast guests. But the next fiction on my list, still sitting on my desk, is A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander. She is one of my favorite authors who happens to live in Tennessee, too, and writes on several of the historical sites I have visited. This one is set at Nashville’s historic Belmont Mansion, built by the strong-willed, before her time and very wealthy woman, Adelicia Acklen.
D. T.: Tamera is an amazing writer. I hope you really enjoy her book whenever your TBR allows.
Which book of yours is your favorite?
Karen: My newest book, Guess Why God Made the Rainbow, is my favorite so far! I enjoyed using gentle rhythmic text to accurately depict Noah and the Ark, and onomatopoeia as a literary effect. This makes the book more playful even though it is addressing a serious topic. We’ve introduced a new character, puppy Rosie, based on my youngest daughter’s dog; and the illustrator’s artistic skill and color choices are amazing! Also, it’s shorter than the last one, which covered the Garden and First Family, making it more accessible for younger readers.
D. T.: I’ve always loved books that you can almost literally hear while reading them.
What did you go to school for ( or what do you have a degree in)? Have you incorporated your education or profession into your books? How so?
Karen: I have a background in K-8 education, and in business with a focus on human resources. I earned my MBA as a young mom many years ago, and started up my own business Illuminate Communications. My career path has been anything but linear, and my main motivation for most of my adult life was raising my family. I stepped into writing children’s books in 2020, which complements my studies and volunteer work in K-8 education. For the longest time, I’ve viewed teaching as a mission field, and really felt it was my calling at one point. The wonderful thing is I’m still operating in that calling but in a different way, through my books.
D. T.: It’s amazing how many people are affected by our words. And I’d very much agree that teaching is a mission field.
What is a topic you feel is underrepresented in Christian Fiction?
Karen: I’m sure my answer would have been different a year ago, but because of some things I’m walking through with loved ones, I feel strongly that certain uncomfortable issues in the church need to be brought to light. Issues like domestic abuse, narcissism, spiritual abuse and sexual abuse – all in the church. Some say that fiction leads the culture, and while we need more non-fiction books on these topics too, highlighting these social issues through fiction is a good way to bring what is oftentimes hidden to the light. Darkness only causes sin and abuse to fester, it must come to the light for true healing.
D. T.: Amen!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Karen: Anything with family. That includes discovering new restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and places to vacation. We are blessed to live close to our two grown daughters, and a growing tribe of grandchildren, so my favorite part of the week is hanging out and often exploring new places. We relocated to Tennessee from the Pacific NW in 2021, and there are still many places and activities to explore. Oh, and I love to eat dark chocolate!
D. T.: Adventures with family are something special.
So, who’s your latest book dedicated to and why?
Karen: To my third grandchild, beautiful Tehila Aina Renee. Guess Why God Made the Rainbow is the third book in what will be a seven book series published through Ambassador International, and I’ve been blessed to dedicate each book to a grandchild (each one born within a year of publication). I’ve told my daughters that I would like to dedicate each of the seven books in the series to a grandchild (but no pressure, of course 😉
D. T.: Thank you so much for being with us again today, Karen. It’s been lovely hearing about your newest book and getting to know a little more about you.
Karen Ferguson is a writer, host of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to share God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love with the next generation. She wants every child to know their life matters. You can follow Karen on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter to be the first to know about special events, book updates, freebies and giveaways.
