Brentwood, Tenn., April 10, 2025 — Seven titles published by Lifeway Christian Resources and its imprint, B&H Publishing Group, have been honored as finalists for the upcoming Christian Book Awards.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) named 70 finalists for the 2025 Christian Book Award (CBA) program on April 3. The Christian Book Award program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.

“Each of these titles represents the hard work, passion and faithfulness of our authors and the incredible Lifeway and B&H teams,” said Devin Maddox, publisher at B&H Publishing Group. “Their dedication to excellence in Christian publishing is truly inspiring. We are thrilled to see these efforts recognized and celebrated by the ECPA.”

Two Lifeway releases were honored as finalists in the Bible study category: “Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice” by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes and Melissa Kruger and “Luke in the Land: Walking with Jesus in His First-Century World” by Kristi McLelland.

B&H Publishing Group imprints—Holman Bibles, Holman Reference, B&H Kids and B&H Books—received recognition in various categories.

• The “CSB Oswald Chambers Bible” and the “CSB Men’s Daily Bible” by general editor Robert Wolgemuth were finalists in the Bible category.
• “Habakkuk: The Christian Standard Commentary” by Susan Maxwell Booth was recognized in the Bible Reference Works category.
• “When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful” by Kate Rietema and illustrated by Jennie Poh was a finalist in the Children’s category.
• “Advent for Exiles” by Caroline Cobb was recognized in the New Author category.

The CBA finalists represent the work of 29 Christian publishers and imprints across all categories. The winner in each category along with the 2025 Christian Book of the Year will be announced at the ECPA Awards Celebration, April 29, in Nashville, Tenn.

“It’s always a joy to recognize excellence in Christian publishing as we reveal the finalists for these prestigious awards,” said ECPA President Jeff Crosby. “I extend my sincere congratulations to all authors and publishers who have been recognized and look forward to our celebration together in Nashville.”

In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.

Holman Bibles is the oldest Bible publisher in North America, publishing high-quality Bibles and reference resources that are trustworthy, accessible and useful for the pursuit of lifelong discipleship. Print and digital releases include the award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids and The She Reads Truth Bible and the Rainbow Study Bible with over 3 million copies sold. Holman Bibles is a division of B&H Publishing Group.

Media Contact:  jill.waggoner@lifeway.com 

 

April 2025 | LISLE, IL—Inspired by their IVP Kids book Zion Learns to See, the father-daughter writing team of Terence and Zion Lester are turning their written words into action with Zion’s Closet, a resource to benefit students whose families are experiencing homelessness or in transient housing and parents trying to make ends meet.

The first closet is launching this month at William M. Finch Elementary in Atlanta, Georgia. This impactful initiative is the result of a partnership between Larry Nance Jr. of the Atlanta Hawks and Love Beyond Walls, the organization that Dr. Terence Lester founded to raise awareness about poverty, homelessness, and community mobilization.

“Zion’s Closet represents a shared vision to offer a supportive and inclusive environment as well as an essential resource hub to help schools address the needs of students who are impacted by extenuating circumstances beyond their control,” said Lester. “Our goal is to have Zion’s Closets installed in as many schools as possible throughout Georgia and expand to other states as well.”

According to the Kids Count Data Center, 18 percent of school-aged children in Georgia live under the federal poverty threshold. Zion’s Closet aims to bridge the gap by providing access to essential items for students from kindergarten to high school, easing the financial burden on families and helping students focus on their education.

The concept of Zion’s Closet is rooted in Lester’s personal experience with homelessness and his commitment to community advocacy. Reflecting on a pivotal moment at Love Beyond Walls, Lester recalled seeing a young girl in tears because she was being bullied for wearing the same uniform every day.

“As I left the school that day, deeply moved, I contemplated how we could expand our closet initiative and educate other students to be more empathetic and kinder. It became clear that we needed to teach them about the various challenges their peers might face at home, a lesson that ideally should come from their parents and caregivers.

“This experience underscored the importance of instilling compassion and understanding in children from an early age. Without instilling values such as love, compassion, justice, dignity, mercy, and grace, we risk raising a generation indifferent to the hardships of others.”

Lester shared, “Zion Learns to See represents more than just another book project; it’s a deeply felt journey of embedding crucial life lessons in our children, with the hope that such empathy is shared with other children, too.”

Inspired by real-life events, Zion Learns to See tells the story of how Zion went to work with her dad and quickly discovered that a day at the community center brought new and wonderful people into her life. She learned about people experiencing homelessness and was ultimately moved to respond.

Zion was 7 then. She is now 16 and has become a dedicated community leader, writer, and speaker. From volunteering at Love Beyond Walls to inspiring her peers, she remains committed to serving others.

“From a young age, I’ve been actively involved in serving those experiencing homelessness through my dad’s organization, participating in various projects like organizing collections, conducting food giveaways, setting up closets in schools, and discussing the issue with peers,” Zion said. “My parents have always taught me that we love our neighbors as ourselves and we put God first. Loving others is an act of service, and serving is crucial because it extends God’s love to others and treats people with dignity, affirming their worth regardless of their circumstances.”

In support of Love Beyond Walls, InterVarsity Press (IVP) has committed $5,000 to Zion’s Closet. IVP will also donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Zion Learns to See to support Zion’s Closets in schools.

“For many years Terence Lester has partnered with IVP to share stories that highlight poverty and homelessness, emphasizing the importance of truly seeing and serving those who are often overlooked and go unseen,” said Terumi Echols, President and Publisher of InterVarsity Press. Lester is also the author of I See You, When We Stand, All God’s Children, and the forthcoming From Dropout to Doctorate.

Echols added, “We’ve witnessed these books in action through the initiatives of Love Beyond Walls, including Zion’s Closet. We are honored that Terence and Zion have shared their hearts with us in words, and we are humbled and inspired to support their ongoing work in this way.”

Check out this video to learn more information about Zion’s Closet. Visit Love Beyond Walls to support this initiative.

Contact:  Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

 

PRH Christian Publishing Group welcomes Nicole Grimes to the Creative Services team as Senior Designer, Adult Jacket Program, reporting to Jeff Miller, Art Director.

Grimes joins PRH Christian’s growing team with a wealth of cover design experience.  She has a great history at Tyndale House Publishers, where she cultivated a rich knowledge of book design and publishing across various genres from children’s books to fiction and non-fiction, as well as Bibles and Bible studies. Grimes loves nothing more than taking a book’s concept and bringing it to life on a cover. Her unique perspective as seen on Unashamed, by Jessie Minassian, and clever visual ideas like on The Happiness Dare will add exponential energy to PRH Christian’s already thriving Adult Jacket Program.

Most recently, Grimes has managed the creative team at Bigby Coffee as Associate Creative Director. Her collaborative spirit, quick wit, and servant attitude will be a great asset to our growing Creative Services Team.

Grimes graduated with honors from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology and resides in Michigan.

PRH Christian is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Beloved Daystar Counseling Pups Equip Kids 4-7 Years to Overcome Common Fears

Nashville, TN—Who let the Daystar dogs out? Beloved Daystar Counseling dogs, Lucy and Owen, star in their first children’s book series, The Daystar Dogs. These full-color illustrated children’s books equip parents to help little kids navigate big emotions. Veteran counselors and bestselling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas share their fur-clad companion’s stories of overcoming fear and the scary unknown with hopeful encouragement, practical tools, and heartwarming storytelling.

The first two books in the Daystar Dog series are written for children ages 4-7 and are entitled Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage and Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: A Lesson in Resilience. Both will be releasing in early May 2025.

The third and fourth books—Happy Finds Her Calm: A Lesson in Self-Control and Pippa Learns to Share the Spotlight: A Lesson About Jealousy —will be available in November 2025.

Lucy and Owen’s stories of building courage and resilience speak to the heart of what little children need emotionally, socially, and spiritually to overcome fear—love and friendship. As the puppies, and the kids they help, navigate hard situations, children will discover how to regulate emotions, develop necessary social skills, and discover the difference each puppy—and child—can make. The end of both books contains a list of “Helpful Conversation Starters” for adults to help the beloved children in their lives to name and process difficult feelings.

Sissy Goff is the Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her puppy counseling assistant-in-training, Patches the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events across the country and is a frequent guest on media outlets including NBC News, CNN, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and Christianity Today. She is the bestselling author of 14 books including her first full-color children’s book, Lucy Learns to be Brave: A Lesson in Courage. She is the co-host of the 11 million+ downloaded podcast, Raising Boys and Girls. A transplanted Razorback who lives in Nashville, you can follow Sissy on Instagram @raisingboysandgirls and @sissygoff. Website: Raisingboysandgirls.com

David Thomas is the Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the co-author of eleven books, including his first full-color children’s book, Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: A Lesson in Resilience. He is an in-demand speaker and frequent guest on national television and podcasts and has been featured in publications like The Washington Post and USA Today. He is the co-host of the 11 million+ downloaded podcast, Raising Boys and Girls. He and his wife, Connie, have three adult children, a new son-in-law, a soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and a yellow lab puppy named June. Follow David on Instagram @raisingboysandgirls.

Bethany House is a division of Baker Publishing Group. Bethany House has been publishing high-quality books for more than 60 years. Recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction, Bethany publishes over 75 new fiction and nonfiction titles annually in subjects including historical and contemporary fiction, Christian living, devotional, family resources, and theology. Bethany titles are frequently found on national bestseller lists.

Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, 832-247-9308

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Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: A Lesson in Resilience
By David Thomas
May 2025 | ISBN 978-0764243462 | Hardcover | $17.99 | 32 pages

Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage
By Sissy Goff
May 2025 | ISBN 978-0764243455 | Hardcover | $17.99 | 32 pages

 

 

APRIL 2025 — The Brain Change Program by Dr. Alan Weissenbacher, published by BroadStreet Publishing Group, has been nominated as a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book Award in the New Author category. Dr. Weissenbacher is one of 70 finalists representing the best in Christian publishing. The winners across 12 book and Bible categories will be announced at the ECPA Awards Celebration on April 29th in Nashville, during the ECPA Leadership Summit.

The Brain Change Program: 6 Steps to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life provides a practical six-step approach to improving mental health, strengthening spiritual life, and developing Christlike character. With expertise in addiction therapy, theology, and neuroscience, Dr. Weissenbacher presents lifelong strategies for reshaping brain pathways, staying motivated through setbacks, identifying triggers, and reframing emotions.

“I wrote this book to help people control and guide their thoughts and behaviors, becoming more Christlike and encouraging others to do the same,” says Dr. Weissenbacher. “By understanding our brain and emotions, we can transform our minds, overcome sin, and reflect the fruit of the Spirit.”

After studying biology and attending seminary, Dr. Alan Weissenbacher served as a chaplain to the homeless at the Denver Rescue Mission. Moved by the struggles of those he helped, and motivated to enhance Christian rehabilitation, he pursued a doctorate in neuroscience and spiritual formation at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley. His research focused on exploring how scientific insights into the brain could improve addiction recovery and spiritual formation. He has been interviewed by a variety of media outlets including CBN, LIFE Today, In the Market with Janet Parshall, Point of View Radio, Sirius XM Radio, Cornerstone Television, several Moody stations, and many more.

The Brain Change Program book cover was designed by Chris Garborg of Garborg Design Works under the art direction of Michelle Winger of BroadStreet Publishing. 

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978 (originally called the Gold Medallion Award). Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing.

About BroadStreet^® Publishing: BroadStreet^® Publishing Group is a Christian book publisher that creates meaningful, inspirational products that share God’s truth with quality, beauty, and creativity. Its imprints include Belle City Gifts, BroadStreet Español, BookStreet, and BroadStreet Kids. BroadStreet publishes The Passion Translation (TPT), which has sold over 1.5 million copies, as well as Bible study materials, biographies, Christian living nonfiction, devotionals, journals, gift books, planners, children’s books, and accessories for books and Bibles. Learn more at www.broadstreetpublishing.com.

CONTACT:  Suzanne Niles, Suzanne.niles@broadstreetpublishing.com

 

 

“If I was only to have written one book, this would be it!”  -Bear Grylls

Seasoned explorer and author Bear Grylls is embarking on one of his greatest challenges yet: to make known to the world the life story of a man who altered the course of history.

In The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account – which will be published globally in summer 2025 – the much-loved adventurer retells the astonishing story of Jesus as you have never heard it before in a thrilling, fast-paced narrative.

Son. Teacher. Friend.
Rebel. Renegade. Redeemer?

Written in the first person as a series of eyewitness accounts by five people who knew him best, The Greatest Story Ever Toldfollows the events of Jesus’ life, from Mary’s visit from the Angel Gabriel through to Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. As we walk alongside Jesus’ mother Maryam, and his friends Ta’om, Shimon, Yohannan, and Maryam from Magdala, we experience through their eyes the words and actions of this extraordinary man, the reactions of those who encounter him, and the many lives that he transforms through his teachings.

“Being Yeshua’s mother was the greatest privilege afforded any woman, but also potentially the most painful.”

The Greatest Story Ever Told publishes in the US on 22 July 2025 and in the UK on 19 June 2025. In the UK, the book was pre-launched by Bear at Flame 2025 at Wembley Arena London on 15 March to an enthusiastic reception from over 10,000 young people and youth leaders. It will be featured at Spring Harvest in April 2025, as well as at other events and conferences in the UK and the US during 2025.

Churches across the world are being encouraged to read the book together as part of Hodder’s book club, The Big Church Read, formed in partnership with St Andrew’s Bookshop – and then to share the book with their local communities.

“That was the way of Yeshua. Topside down. Bottom side up. Turning the tables and rewriting conventional thinking. His was a revolution of love.”

Andy Lyon, Publishing Director at Hodder Faith, bought world rights from Caroline Michel at PFD. “Hands down, this will be the biggest book Hodder Faith has ever published,” he said. “The story of Jesus is one that needs retelling in every generation, in every culture, and nobody does it like Bear. For readers who have never picked up a Bible, this story will be enlightening from an historical perspective, but it will also offer them hope and prompt them to ask questions about who Jesus really was. For Christians, The Greatest Story Ever Told offers a fresh perspective on the familiar story – as well as a great way to talk to their friends and family about the life of Jesus!”

“You believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

Bear Grylls OBE is probably the most recognisable face of adventure on the planet. His books have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, including the number 1 bestselling Mud, Sweat and Tears. He is a former 21 SAS soldier, who went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers of Mount Everest, despite breaking his back in a free-fall accident only months earlier. Bear’s TV shows include the legendary Discovery channel show MAN Vs WILD and the hit show RUNNING WILD with Bear Grylls, now in its eighth season on National Geographic Channel and Disney Plus. He also hosts two hit Netflix series, You Vs Wild and BEARHUNT where Bear trains celebrities in jungle survival then tests if they can evade him! He is a double Emmy and BAFTA award winner and is Chief Ambassador to 55 million Scouts worldwide. He is married to Shara and they have three sons. His books for Hodder Faith include Mind Fuel, Soul Fuel for Young Explorers, and Mind Fuel for Young Explorers, as well as the new scouting handbook Do Your Best.

The Greatest Story Ever Told will be published in the US on 22 July 2025 as a hardback (9781399820141) by Hodder Faith at $19.99. In the UK, it will be published by Hodder & Stoughton on 19 June 2025 as a B format hardback at £14.99. Bulk discounts will be available for churches via www.greateststoryevertoldbook.com.

Bear has some availability for media interviews and to take part in events linked to this book.

For media enquiries and review copy requests, please contact:
US: Kaitlyn Shokes (kaitlyn.shokes@johnmurraypress.co.uk)
UK: Rhoda Hardie (Rhoda.hardie@hodder.co.uk / +44 781 542 7111)

 

Abilene, TX — God has created you with a beautiful, wondrous, and powerful spiritual center. But you are not alone if you don’t understand how to take control of your inner life. You don’t have to live in the shallow end or be stuck on cruise control. Coasting through life always leaves you wishing for more and wreaks havoc on your emotional, mental, and spiritual health. If you’re tired of living this way, Beyond the Shallows can show you God’s tools to dig yourself out of the muck.

Beyond the Shallows offers your heart a guide to spiritual freedom, emotional maturity, deeper intimacy with God, wisdom in relationships, and confidence in your sense of purpose. Learn to grow in these areas and find proven ways to understand your heart and its motives. Get unstuck and begin to live with deep purpose, authenticity, and fulfillment.

“Jason Hundley’s new book is a tender but strong study of the heart and the issues we face as we try to grow in our spiritual maturity. The goal is to know God’s heart and ours more deeply. Beyond the Shallows focuses on God’s heart for us and his presence with us as we seek him.”
—Dr. Helen B. McIntosh, EdD, author of Messages to Myself, Mended, I Love You, Mom!, and I Love You, Dad!

Jason Hundley is a lighthearted, passionate, and vulnerable communicator. Using his voice as an author, speaker, songwriter, and worship leader, he helps people go into deeper relationships and experiences with God and the people in their lives. He has well over a decade of ministry experience and loves building communities that honor God, along with his wife, Emily, and their four children.

Beyond the Shallows
By Jason Hundley
April 2025, Softcover
208 Pages, $17.99
ISBN: 9781684260935

Media Contact:  Kaylin Graves, publicity@leafwoodpublishers.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 1, 2025—Campbell Wharton, SVP & Publisher, PRH Christian, announced Laura Barker will step down from her position as VP & Publisher effective April 15, 2025.

During her 22 years with the company, Barker has made an indelible mark on PRH’s Christian publishing program and the industry. Originally joining WaterBrook in 1998 as Managing Editor and eventually becoming Editorial Director, she stepped away in 2004, working as a consultant with WaterBrook and other publishers. Returning in 2009 to a combined WaterBrook & Multnomah as Editorial Director, Barker then rose to become Editor in Chief and eventually to Publisher, where she has been at the helm for the last five years. Over the course of her notable career, Barker has acquired and edited numerous award-winners and bestsellers, such as multiple books by Jennie Allen, including the million copy New York Times bestseller, Get Out of Your Head and Latasha Morrison’s ECPA Book of the Year, Be The Bridge. She has worked directly with a stellar list of authors that includes Liz Curtis Higgs, Katie Davis Majors, Anne Graham Lotz, Joanna Weaver, Randy Alcorn, Kay Arthur and numerous others. Barker also spearheaded the incredible growth of the Christian children’s program and was integral in launching the Ink & Willow creative gift product line.

Barker shared with the PRHCPG staff that she sensed it was time for her to move in a new direction. “Everything seems to confirm this as the best time to make way for fresh vision and leadership in this particular season, so rich with possibility in our new organizational structure as PRH Christian,” Barker said. “Under the continued leadership of Campbell Wharton, and given the solid foundation we’ve built together, I have every confidence that the future holds great opportunity for our program to thrive.”

“Laura set the bar extremely high as an editor and publisher, bringing heart and soul to every author she collaborated with and is universally admired and adored by her colleagues, authors and agents,” said Wharton. “She is known throughout the industry for not only her editorial acumen but also for her passionate advocacy of our authors and their messages during every step of the publishing process and for her insight and wisdom that helped shape our Christian division into a top destination for Christian publishing.”

Wharton added, “I want to thank Laura for her calm and steady leadership over the past several years, building and mentoring a terrific editorial team and for the foundation she has laid for our division’s next phase. Personally, I am deeply appreciative of her guidance and friendship over the many years we’ve worked together. Her warmth, laughter and good nature will be missed. We offer her our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for her future.”

Newly hired Editorial Director Madison Trammel, who is already playing a key role in PRH Christian’s growth plan, will now report to Wharton. All non-fiction and fiction adult editors for WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image and Forum continue to report to Trammel. Now reporting to Wharton is Executive Editor, Sarah Rubio, who will continue to lead  PRH Christian’s Children’s program;  Susan Tjaden, VP, Executive Editor, for the Ink & Willow gift line (and will remain reporting to Trammel on the adult program); as well as Bridget Baxter, Manager, Publishing Operations.

WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image and Forum are imprints of PRH Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Contact:  Beverly Rykerd, VP, Publicity Director PRH Christian brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Good Book Company is excited to announce that their bestselling Good Book Guides are gaining a new look to reflect their enduring popularity with small groups. Twelve of the newly-designed Bible studies will launch this April with more to come until the whole series reflects the fresh change.

Written by respected Bible teachers such as Timothy Keller, Sam Allberry, Kathleen Nielson, and Andrew Wilson, these deep but doable Bible studies include over 50 titles covering the Old Testament, New Testament, Gospels, and Topical Studies. Each Good Book Guide also contains a concise Leader’s Guide at the back of each study. With over one million copies sold, the Good Book Guides continue to be a valuable and relevant resource for small groups and churches that desire God’s word to be planted in their heads and hearts. The redesigned format makes them even easier to use.

“I love this small group study guide series,” said Michael J. Kruger, President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC, who wrote the Good Book Guide to Hebrews, along with its partner accessible commentary, Hebrews for You. “These study guides provide practical, step-by-step guidance on working through books of the Bible, along with wonderful questions that encourage reflection and application.”

The Good Book Guides can be paired with an accessible commentary in the God’s Word For You series which digs even deeper into the original historical, cultural, and biblical context and offers clear and grounded application.

For more information or requests for samples, please contact us at: hello@thegoodbook.com or call 866-244-2165.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

 

Read Along As Jennie Allen Helps Children Learn How To Overcome Anxious, Scary, Or Unkind Thoughts In This Compelling Picture Book, Offering A Refreshing And Practical Approach To Nurturing Young Minds.

“As parents and caretakers, one of the most important gifts we can give our children are the tools to manage their thoughts. ‘What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts’ addresses one of the most foundational skills for a happy, healthy life. By surrounding our children with love, and equipping them with the tools to combat anxiety and negative thinking, they can thrive in a world full of swirling thoughts.” 
— Jennie Allen, Author of ‘What To Do With Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts’

DALLAS, TEXAS – April 2, 2025 – With childhood anxiety on the rise, and projected to increase as social media continues to grow, helping kids manage their mental health has never been more important. New York Times bestselling author Jennie Allen wants to help children realize that they don’t have to hang on to every anxious, scary, or unkind thought that crosses their mind in her FIRST EVER children’s book, What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts, releasing on April 29th, 2025.

According to the Center for Children and Families, anxiety was becoming more common among children even before the pandemic, increasing 27% from 2016 to 2019. By 2020, 5.6 million children (9.2%) had been diagnosed with anxiety. With the ever-growing presence of social media, this is only projected to grow.

In What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts, Allen provides practical tools to help kids recognize and redirect their thoughts in healthy ways. With whimsical illustrations from Nadia Gunawan, this engaging picture book transforms the complexity of mental health into something fun and achievable for youth.

As a mother of four and bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen knows what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of thoughts, but she also knows that there is a way out of toxic thought patterns. In What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts, Jennie shares this liberating truth with the next generation.

What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts is the perfect gift for teachers, caregivers, or back-to-school celebrations. In this book, children will learn that:

• Their brains are incredibly capable and serve a greater purpose, having the ability to direct their thoughts in positive ways.
• They have power over their thoughts, and even if they’ve been stuck in a swirl of anxiousness,  they don’t have to stay there!
• There are healthy habits that can be implemented to manage thoughts, helping to establish emotional intelligence throughout development.

‘What To Do With Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts’ Synopsis
Do your children know they have the ability to control their thoughts? New York Times bestselling author Jennie Allen helps kids realize that they don’t have to hold on to every anxious, scary, or unkind thought that enters their heads. This picture book offers practical strategies for managing thoughts in an achievable and fun way, helping children to take charge of their mental well-being and develop emotional intelligence for the rest of their lives.

Pre-order ‘WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR WHIRLY, SWIRLY THOUGHTS’ here

Jennie Allen, Bible teacher, author, founder and visionary behind both IF:Gathering and Gather25, and a devoted mother, understands what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of thoughts. As the best selling author of Get Out of Your Head, Jennie knows we don’t have to stay stuck in toxic thinking patterns—and she wants to pass on this liberating truth to the next generation. Driven by a deep love for God and an unyielding belief in the potential of this generation, Jennie’s mission is to disciple a generation of Jesus followers to live what they believe. Through her writing and teaching, Jennie seeks to convey a simple yet profound truth: God sees you, loves you, and invites you to play your part in His unfolding story. She has witnessed firsthand the miraculous work of Jesus when people fully surrender to Him. Jennie is a passionate leader following God’s call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie is the New York Times’ best-selling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head. Jennie has a masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Pinterest

The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. comprises the Thomas Nelson, Zondervan and HarperChristian Resources publishing groups and imprint, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com, StudyGateway.com and ChurchSource.com. The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. Bible Gateway is the world’s largest Christian website with more than 20 million unique visitors each month. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico. For more information, visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.​

Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

CONTACT:  Ashli Bock, 830-739-9145, ashli@130a.com