Interview With Children’s Book Author Renee Boyer

 

         

 

1.      What inspired you to write this book? I’ve had the blessing of working in Early Childhood/Primary Education for over 30 years, and my heart and passion is still with these little ones.  I wanted to write books to address some of the struggles and questions that I see our children challenged with.

 

2.      What exactly is it about and who is it written for?  This book is intended for primary/elementary age children.  The book does have a fun feature for younger children in that there is a barn mouse hidden in each picture; in hopes of helping them maintain attention while an older sibling may be enjoying the book. The focus is to hopefully bring a joyful celebration of one's individuality to life within the pages of a warm, humorous, and fun book. The book features a group of beloved pets that learn an important lesson together. Who doesn't want to be the most beautiful, smartest, or most athletic? After all, who can love someone that is 'mediocre'? If only we could change our gender, or study harder, or become more fit, then maybe the people around us would be accepting and like us more. After one of the pet tries to make some major changes to herself, she questions if something is wrong with the way she was created. Maybe she was a mistake! It takes some humorous mishaps and a barn house full of animal friends to remind the pet, that she was fearfully and wonderfully made with a perfect design and purpose in mind.

 

3.      What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I’m hoping that each child will know that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with them!  Each of them has been created beautifully and perfectly; regardless of their looks, personality, gender, talents, and design.  Each person has a unique opportunity and ability to make their piece of the world a more positive, loving, and fun place to live… just the way they are.

 

4.      How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? One of my most fun and precious memories is sitting around a campfire with my three sons and pets, with my husband making up quotes on what each pet was probably thinking and would be saying if they could speak. Therefore, each pet acquired a unique personality.  I believe it helped give our children a great appreciation and empathy for what “others” might be going through, plus it gave us many evenings of hysterical laughter. 

 

5.      What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? HA!  Enjoy it and speak what’s on our heart.  You can’t worry about what others think.  In this world, you’ll have people that agree with you and love you, and others that don’t.  But, that’s what helps make our world a wonderful and interesting place to live in.

 

6.      What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?  Although electronic “anything” is the thing, children still love books!  I love watching children sorting through books and filling up their baskets with their favorite choices.  There’s nothing like having a child curl up on your lap and reading them a book.  You can’t beat that connection and the conversations generated. 

 

7.      Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?  My experience working with children, and hearing/seeing first-hand some of the struggles and questions they have, gave me the desire to write the Boyer Barn House books. Then, as a Christian, certain Bible verses would pop out at me and I would think…’this is what I want our little ones to know!’

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I’ve always been a huge fan of the Berenstain Bear books and the life-lessons that they help instill in children’s lives.  And…I’m also a fan of many of the children’s movies that star animal friends (such as the Fox and the Hound) that make me laugh every time.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? I feel like the world is swimming with children’s books and I often wondered if I should jump into this water!  But, there are so many new and unique issues that face our little ones today, that weren’t present twenty years ago.  So, I felt like some of these twenty-first century issues needed to be addressed.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? I’m hoping that my books speak simple truths into people’s lives and provide a source of encouragement and laughter.  And… hopefully each book can be a beacon in someone’s life that is struggling.

 

About The Author: I was a primary education teacher for over twenty years before transitioning to my current role as assistant professor for early childhood education at a Christian University.  I live with my husband in a small farming community in Wabash, Indiana.  My husband and I were blessed to raise three sons together; including a wide range of pets.  One of my favorite memories is sitting around the campfire together and imaging what our pets would be thinking or saying if they could speak.  This memory played a significant role in bringing Boyer’s Barn House into print.  Part of appreciating God’s creation is realizing that we are all made with a specific purpose in mind.  God doesn’t make mistakes.  Don’t waste a breath wishing to be something you are not designed to be, or regretting things in the past.  Instead, embrace the gifts you have been given and live your life to the fullest.  After all, seasons will pass, but the best is always yet to come… because we are fearfully and wonderfully made! For more info, please see:  https://www.facebook.com/renee.boyer.1000

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.6 million pageviews. With 4,800+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.