Kregel children’s author Emily King, known for Clopper the Christmas Donkey, Clopper and the Lost Boy, and Clopper and the Night Travelers, passed away July 5, 2017, after a battle with cancer. In addition to the Clopper books, King’s works also include three books in the Twiggenbotham Adventures, and in total 109,000 copies of Emily King’s titles have been printed.

“Emily was a delightful person, and, not surprisingly, her stories were just as delightful,” said Dennis Hillman, publisher for Kregel Publications. “She gave the Christmas story a new vividness when told through the eyes of the eager little donkey named Clopper. Her tales of Mrs. Twiggenbotham introduced children to a whimsical, nearsighted octogenarian who never missed seeing the needs of others. Emily’s heart was in each of her stories, and we will miss her greatly.”

Her passion was to reach as many as possible with the good news of the gospel of Christ. Through her books and her life, she had an eternal impact on the lives of many.

(Carol Stream, Ill.) August 1, 2017 – Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) announces the September release of Undoing What Has You Undone, a “Story to Life” companion guide to be published in conjunction with the softcover release of Beth Moore’s novel The Undoing of Saint Silvanus.

Moore’s novel was critically acclaimed upon its publication last fall, with Library Journal calling it “beautifully written” and an “absorbing, suspenseful read.” Booklist noted that The Undoing of Saint Silvanus is “simultaneously heartwarming and chilling. This tale has wide appeal with its mix of mystery, evangelism, history, suspense, and love. Moore brings southern culture to life, and thoughtfully poses questions of belonging, sin, and self-worth. From its gritty start to its redemptive finish, Moore’s ambitious first novel spotlights her gifts for humanizing the biblical experience and the search for faith.”

Moore is well-known as an international Bible teacher, speaker and author with a multitude of nonfiction titles to her credit including the New York Times bestseller So Long, Insecurity. Following the release of The Undoing of Saint Silvanus, Moore has taught on the biblical themes introduced in the novel.

Publisher Karen Watson was in the audience the evening Moore first delivered the message “Undoing What Has You Undone.”

“As Beth talked about situations in life that leave us undone and the things that have already been settled for us that can never be undone, I realized there could be value in a unique kind of book group study,” Watson commented. “The resulting companion to the novel models a way we are working to encourage additional ministry impact for the novels in our list.”

Tyndale is in early development for other concepts in the “Story to Life” study series.

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is the world’s largest privately held Christian publisher of books, Bibles, and digital media. Tyndale has published many New York Times bestsellers. The largest portion of its profit goes to the nonprofit Tyndale House Foundation, which makes grants to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale was founded to publish Living Letters, which later comprised part of The Living Bible, a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible that became a global publishing phenomenon. Tyndale now publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), the translation of choice for millions of people.

Undoing What Has You Undone by Beth Moore
ISBN: 978-1-4964-3106-6
Softcover: $4.99
September 2017
Tyndale.com

Sparkhouse Family is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Very Best Story Ever Told for publication in Fall 2018. A poem about the Gospel reinforced with American Sign Language, The Very Best Story Ever Told helps young children understand the story of Jesus’ life in a whole new way.

The Very Best Story Ever Told by Robin Currie
Illustrator TBA

Description:  The Very Best Story Ever Told is an interactive and engaging way for children (and adults!) to remember and retell the Gospel story—from God’s love for the world to Jesus’ life to the Spirit surrounding us today. Each line of the poem has a brief story about Jesus and important words are reinforced with American Sign Language to engage the whole person. As the poem builds upon itself, children will be able to memorize and repeat this age-appropriate Gospel story to others.

Author bio:
Robin Currie is a former children’s librarian and the author of dozens of children’s books including Tuktuk: Tundra Tale (Abordale Publishing, 2016), the Baby Bible Storybook for Girls and the Baby Storybook Bible for Boys (Cook Communications, 2009), andBaby Bible 1 2 3 (Cook Communications, 2005). Midlife, she was called to ordained ministry as a parish pastor. Since retiring, Robin blogs about Christian grandparenting, writes children’s books, reads to children around the world in preschool and Headstart programs, and serves on the ordained clergy staff at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Her family includes four grown children, five grandchildren, and one cat: Hairy Potter. More information about Robin can be found at www.robincurrie.net

Agent: Cyle Young, Hartline Literary Agency
Rights acquired: World
Acquiring editor: Naomi Krueger

Contact:  Rachel Zugschwert, Director of Marketing, Sparkhouse Family
612-330-3108 | ZugschwertR@sparkhouse.org

Christian Publishers Worldwide Mourn Loss Of Key Trainer And Consultant

Christians in publishing in dozens of countries are mourning the loss of Dr. Kent Wilson, former NavPress publisher and frequent overseas trainer and consultant, who died June 28, 2017.

Although Dr. Wilson lived his entire life in Colorado, serving at various times as pastor, publisher, and executive coach, his vision for missions and Christian publishing in the Developing World led him to serve as a trainer and consultant for a number of missions organizations.

Over the years, he taught the business of publishing courses 10 times in seven countries with Magazine Training International (MTI), eventually serving for 10 years as the organization’s chairman of the Board of Directors. He co-wrote MTI’s business course manual, “Managing the Magazine with Confidence and Skill,” and co-taught the magazine management DVD course.

He loved Christian camping, as well, serving for decades as president of the Board of Directors of Camp Elim, a camp he had attended as a child.

Dr. Wilson graduated from Stanford University with degrees in electrical engineering design and psychology. He later studied at Denver Seminary, where he received ordination. His doctorate was earned at the University of Aberdeen, where his studies in steward leadership led last year to the publication of his book, “Steward Leadership in the Nonprofit Organization.”

He is remembered not only by colleagues, friends, and relatives in the U.S., but by the hundreds of Christian editors and publishers throughout the world who sat under his teaching and experienced hours of consulting in their countries and long distance by email and SKYPE. He freely gave not only his time, but his heart.

“Kent was an excellent presenter and a wonderful encourager to us,” one conference participant said. “He was one of our favorite facilitators at the MTI conference in Los Angeles, a Malaysian publisher said. “We can still remember his business course in magazine marketing.”

“Kent Wilson is a friend of Bulgaria,” a Bulgarian leader said . “We have learned so much from him!” A publisher in the Middle East said, “Kent’s training at the Hong Kong seminar I attended years ago is still fresh in my mind.”

His co-trainers also appreciated him. One commented, “Kent was so kind, generous, and full of wisdom. He will be missed by so many.” “Kent was a wonderful leader and mentor,” another said.

Dr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Debbie, son Eric, daughters Kathy and Abby, and eight grandchildren.

For more information: smumper@magazinetraining.com  www.magazinetraining.com 

Paraclete Press, Orleans, Massachusetts, August 4, 2017 –Orleans, Massachusetts, August 4, 2017 —On his visit to the USA, Pope Francis hailed Thomas Merton as one of four citizens who have shaped American values.

Until now, there have been no books for young children on the life of this important figure in our faith and spiritual culture. Published at a time when children’s book publishing is experiencing growth, this book teaches about Merton, monasticism, and the Christian life in a simple A – Z format.

The book launched mid-June at the International Thomas Merton Society 15th General Meeting at St. Bonaventure University and has received rave reviews from Patrick O’Connell, co-author of The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia, Fr. Dan Horan, author of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton, Fr. Laurence Freeman of the World Community for Christian Meditation, Midwest Book Review, as well as Thomas Merton regional chapter coordinators nationwide.

“Unique and thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ in tone, organization, and presentation, The ABCs of Thomas Merton: A Monk at the Heart of the World is as informative as it is entertaining and certain to be a popular addition to elementary school collections.”  — Midwest Book Review

“We now know for sure that children have an innate contemplative gift. It is so important that they are introduced to the church’s contemplative tradition early in life and Greg Ryan’s book for them on Merton will help them grow in this wisdom. Greg has perfect pitch in understanding the child’s mind and he has produced an invaluable asset for their early steps on life’s spiritual journey.” — Fr. Laurence Freeman, World Community for Christian Meditation

For more information, contact Sr. Antonia Cleverly, srantonia@paracletepress.com; (505) 255-4685 x 329. 

SANTA ANNA, Calif. (BP) — Robert “Bob” Lambeth, president for 38 years of the Lockman Foundation, publisher of the New American Standard Bible, died July 11 at age 81.

Lambeth served as the third president of the Lockman Foundation, a nonprofit, interdenominational ministry dedicated to the translation, publication and distribution of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Amplified Bible and other biblical resources. He served as the foundation’s president from 1979 until his death, having been connected with the ministry since the 1950s through his relationship with founders Dewey and Minna Lockman.

“We mourn this giant’s passing,” said Malcolm Yarnell, research professor of systematic theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary who worked with Lambeth as part of the translation team for the updated version of the Amplified Bible.

Yarnell said the NASB “established the standard for more literal yet readable English translations in the past” and will continue to be “the standard for future orthodox translations.”

The Lockman Foundation began giving a leather-bound NASB to each graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1992 while Paige Patterson, the current president of Southwestern, was president there. The following semester, the foundation began a tradition of presenting Bibles to graduates of several SBC seminaries that has spanned 20-plus years.

When Patterson came to Southwestern, Lambeth developed a special interest in the seminary and its graduates. He and his wife Phoebe created the Phoebe Nan Wiley Lambeth Women’s Auxiliary Scholarship and contributed funds to, among other things, Southwestern’s Horner Homemaking House, the school of preaching, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible exhibition and the construction of MacGorman Chapel, in addition to supporting the Bibelseminar Bonn seminary in Germany.

David Allen, dean of Southwestern’s school of preaching who also worked on the Amplified Bible, said, “I know of no man who loved the Word of God, who longed to see it faithfully translated, and who labored to bring the NASB to bless the church more than Bob Lambeth. But I think I can hear Bob saying, as he echoes the words of Martin Luther, another Bible translator, ‘I did nothing; the Word did it all.'”

Yarnell said Lambeth “never wavered on the truth and never allowed the NASB to be caught up with faddish peculiarities. His wife Phoebe was an integral part of his ministry, has spent countless hours in tedious editing work at her husband’s side, and is one of the most precious human beings who has ever blessed us. We mourn with Phoebe and her sons, and we trust that Phoebe and [their son] Pike will continue to shepherd the NASB revision and the Amplified Bible….”

In addition to his wife and son Pike, Lambeth is survived by his son Todd and five grandchildren. The memorial service will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, Calif., on July 29.

Sparkhouse Family is keenly aware of the challenges faced by Christian retail stores these days. As a publisher, we wanted to help stores meet one of their biggest challenges head on – driving retail foot traffic.

So we’ve created Frolic Baby Bible Studies. We’ve created a series of storytime sessions that are built around our Frolic series, totally free for stores to use. It is intended to be a good driver to get traffic in the door, and an easy way for stores to host a meaningful storytime for their communities. It is 100% free for stores to sign up and download all the lessons. We will update it for future Frolic books and let them know when those new sessions are available. There are 19 sessions currently available as well as marketing materials available for download, to help the store promote these events.

Link to sign up: http://info.sparkhouse.org/babybiblestudiessplash

About the Frolic series:
Frolic books playfully introduce basic faith concepts in a way that’s fun and age appropriate for young children. Frolic is built on the belief that early childhood is a crucial time for human development and a foundational time for faith development. Research has shown that what kids learn about faith during their early years while shape how they understand God, themselves, and the world for the rest of their lives. The series includes a First Bible, a Bible for preschoolers, board books for infants and toddlers, and picture books help young children solve common childhood challenges with biblical solutions. The Frolic series as been endorsed by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and has won a Mom’s Choice Award for the Frolic First Bible and a 2016 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Best Picture Book Series.

Dawn Rundman, the lead developer of Frolic, holds a Ph.D in early childhood development with an emphasis on faith formation. She is available for interviews.

Contact: Rachel Zugschwert, Director of Sales & Marketing, Sparkhouse Family
612-330-3108 | ZugschwertR@sparkhouse.org