Carol Stream, Ill. (June 9, 2023)—Focus on the Family and NavPress, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release five new kids and middle-grade books in the fall of 2023. The new products—Otter B Friendly, Smoke in the Air!, The Second Storm, Heart of Belonging, and Big Feelings Days—equip parents to raise their children with thriving faith.
From Focus on the Family:
Otter B Friendly
Otter B #12
Otter B Friendly is the twelfth in a series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical values. In this story, Otter B learns how to make friends with someone who seems different from him. When a new family moves to the neighborhood, Otter B isn’t quite sure what to think. This book explores how Otter B and his buddies make friends with their new neighbor. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the lesson and includes an appropriate Bible verse.
Smoke in the Air!
Magnificent Mulligans #3
Still used to life on the streets, Hector is having a hard time fitting in at school, unless you count regular fights with other boys as “fitting in.” But now he’s got a few friends who seem willing to accept him . . . if he can prove he belongs. But the actions of this gang may prove perilous for the Mulligan Wild Animal Park. While this is unfolding, Janelle is learning to extend grace to the girl who plays her sister in the school musical: the snobby, super-rich Chloe Richardson. But now a message from home informs Janelle that she’ll need to spend even more time with Chloe. Meanwhile, back at the animal park, the rest of the Mulligans are dealing with one emergency after another when a wildfire breaks out in the grasslands of the park. Many of the animals need to be evacuated to another location. The Mulligans must work together to make sure everyone gets home safely.
The Second Storm
High Water #4
The Second Storm is the fourth book in the High Water series. It blends contemporary mystery and suspense, dramatic situations, and high adventure. A Category 5 hurricane is heading for southern Florida, and Parker Buckman’s friend Wilson Stillwaters is caught in its crosshairs. It’s going to be bad, and Wilson will need help. But that means going back to the Everglades—a place filled with some bad memories. Angelica will do anything she can to get her friend Parker back home safely. What she doesn’t realize is the real threat—the second storm—is threatening to be far deadlier for Parker and his friends than the hurricane. The storm has allowed Clayton Kingman to escape from prison, and he has a big surprise in store for the group, one he intends to deliver personally.
Heart of Belonging
Riverbend Friends #6
Heart of Belonging is the sixth book in a series that travels alongside four friends as they deal with teen life in Riverbend, Indiana. The novel inspires young women to deepen their relationships with God as they face real-life issues and solve their problems in God-honoring ways. Shay desperately longs to feel loved—to be part of a real family. She thought that finally meeting her real father, a famous horse trainer, might change her life for the better. And it did. Sort of. She’s more inspired to work with horses now, but a “normal” family—like her friends talk about—doesn’t seem like it’s in her future. Living with her aunt and working with horses every day doesn’t seem to give her the love and acceptance that she desires. So Shay finds herself seeking acceptance elsewhere—on the Internet, looking at stuff she doesn’t think she can ever tell anyone about. She’s ashamed of where this takes her, and she suspects her friends, especially Izzy, would reject her if they found out. This book explores whether Shay can begin to recognize the blessings she already has—that God’s true love, the acceptance of her friends, and the kindness of her aunt are enough.
From NavPress:
Big Feelings Days
Speaker, pastor, podcaster, and author of The Louder Song, Aubrey Sampson has dealt with a lot of big feelings and heartache in her life and has written about lament for a grown-up audience. Knowing that adults don’t have a monopoly on strong, difficult emotions, Aubrey turns to writing about feelings for children in Big Feelings Days. Children have a lot of emotions too, and feeling sad or angry or brokenhearted can be overwhelming. Sampson helps kids understand that their feelings are valuable and normal—and that they can creatively express what they feel to Jesus, who created emotions and deeply cares about every one. Big Feelings Days is a tender and engaging picture book that helps children ages 3–7 learn how to release their feelings of grief, anger, and heartbreak in creative ways to a God who cares.
Otter B Friendly | ISBN: 978-1-64607-043-5 | Hardcover: $12.99 | October 2023
Smoke in the Air! | ISBN: 978-1-64607-119-7 | Softcover: $14.99 | October 2023
The Second Storm | ISBN: 978-1-64607-097-8 | Softcover: $15.99 | November 2023
Heart of Belonging | ISBN: 978-1-64607-089-3 | Softcover: $14.99 | December 2023
Big Feelings Days | ISBN: 978-1-64158-689-4 | Hardcover: $16.99 | October 2023
Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale.com
Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned, and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.
NavPress is a business ministry of The Navigators. With a rich catalog of bestselling books, discipleship resources, and The Message® Bible, NavPress supports readers as they know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same.® Since 2014 NavPress has been in a publishing alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest independently owned Christian publishers in the world. NavPress resources are sold, distributed, and marketed worldwide through Tyndale House Publishers. NavPress.com
