Laura Sassi has written a new picture book, LITTLE EWE: The Story of One Lost Sheep illustrated by Tommy Doyle and published by Beaming Books. It hits the bookstores on February 23rd, but it is available for pre-order on Amazon, now. Laura has agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States.
All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.
Sharing on Facebook, Twitter or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. So, thanks for helping Rebecca and Dana.
If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Little Ewe would rather jump on logs and investigate spider webs than follow the shepherd when he calls. But what happens when she gets lost? How will she find her way home? Told in whimsical rhyme, this humorous counting book for our littlest ones is a delightful reminder that, like a loving parent, our Shepherd will find us and care for us, even when we wander from the path.
In Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep, award-winning author Laura Sassi and illustrator Tommy Doyle tell an endearing tale of a distracted sheep and her persistent shepherd, inspired by the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15.
BOOK JOURNEY:
I love to rhyme and was keen to write a counting book. So one morning I decided to do just that. Inspired by memories of watching sheep graze, a favorite parable, and recalling my own little lambs who loved exploring the great outdoors when they were little, LITTLE EWE: The Story of One Lost Sheep was born.
The story is a re-imagining of one of my favorite passages from the New Testament — Jesus’ parable about a lost lamb — but from the point of view, not of the shepherd, but of the lamb. I named her Little Ewe (because, at heart, she is a lot like me and you!).
Once I had the point of view established, I brainstormed the many sights and sounds a sheep might encounter on a day wandering far from the flock. Since I wanted to honor the original setting of the parable – the hills where Jesus walked – I double-checked to make sure the wonders my protagonist discovered along the way would have indeed been native to that time and place. My list included sparrows, figs, frogs, spiders and more!
Because I did so much pondering ahead of time — jotting down possible rhyme schemes, plot twists etc., —by the time I sat down to write, this story came fairly easily. The earliest versions were much longer, including both a numeric climb and a countdown. But, though I loved the countdown, it didn’t work for this piece because it meant that the climactic moment – when Little Ewe and Shepherd are reunited – came too early, making the denouement too long. So, in the end, the story climbs to twelve and then, in a soothing resolution, returns all at once, with great love, to the closing which reads:
One Little Ewe
now safe and snug,
cradled in kind
Shepherd’s hug.
Home again,
all gather round.
The shepherd’s lamb,
once lost . . . is found!
After many, many revisions and several rounds of feedback, my agent submitted it to a couple of faith-based publishing houses, but when no one nibbled, and because her contact list was mostly main stream, we agreed to set it aside. It wasn’t until four summers later, that on my own one sunny June morning, after much research into faith-based publishers, I decided to submit it to Beaming Books, whose books I had seen and loved. I had recently parted ways with my agent and so I was also keen to take advantage of their short “open to unagented submissions” window. To my delight, two months later, I had an offer from editor Naomi Krueger and the rest, as they say, is history! I’m so pleased with how the book turned out and have overflowing gratitude for the amazing team at Beaming Books and, of course, for the fabulous Tommy Doyle.
LAURA’S BIO:
Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. She is the author of six books including GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014), GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz, 2015), DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE (Sterling, 2018), LOVE IS KIND (Zonderkidz, 2018), LITTLE EWE (Beaming Books, 2021) and BUNNY FINDS EASTER (Zonderkidz) which will release in Spring 2022.
A graduate of Princeton University and UCLA, Sassi had a successful teaching career before becoming a children’s author. She’s been a homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, historic museum interpreter, and more. She writes daily from her home in New Jersey and finds special joy in sharing her love of reading and writing with the next generation at school visits and other book events.
Visit her on the web at:
https://www.facebook.com/LauraSassiTales
http://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/
twitter.com/laurasassitales
https://www.instagram.com/laurasassitales/
TOMMY DOYLE’S BIO:
Tommy is a Senior Illustrator and graphic designer based in Melbourne, Australia. Originally from Montreal, Qc Canada, I relocated down under back in 2007. He has worked in the industry for over 20 years. Illustration is a big passion of his and he finds that, it is an effective and creative way to communicate a message or an emotion. His work is bold and rich in simplicity. He loves playing with shapes and textures, mixing digital and traditional mediums.
He is also the founder of What The Wolf, an eco-conscious kids’ brand based in Melbourne. They design and produce a select range of original eco-friendly kids’ products.
Represented by The Bright Agency.
To talk about a project, please contact me at
hello@tommydoyle.net or my agent at mail@thebrightagency.com
Laura, thank you for sharing your journey and book with us. Children should love this caring counting story. Tommy did a great job bringing you book to life. Good luck with the book!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Nice kid’s book! Keep it up guys!
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By: Agency Platform on February 11, 2021
at 3:32 am
This is a great story with a wonderful message that no one is ever alone. I am hosting Lara on my blog next month, and already have a copy of this delightful book.
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on February 11, 2021
at 11:37 am
Congrats, Laura and Tommy! (I’m signed up for the emails, too.)
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By: Susan Johnston Taylor on February 11, 2021
at 11:50 am
How cute is that? Kids are going to love it and I’d like a copy to share with them. Thanks!
I’ve tweeted a link: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/1359909698833584128, and shared an image with a link too: https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/336573772158299028/.
I also follow daily by email: crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com.
Thanks again, stay safe!
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By: carlrscott on February 11, 2021
at 12:00 pm
Congratulations. This sounds like such a cute book. I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who does many, many rounds of revisions.
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By: Janet Smart on February 11, 2021
at 12:39 pm
Your book sounds adorable! I’m re-blogging on my blog which is a children’s book blog which will also share to my Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. So, you’ll get some more exposure. I love to share about books that have positive messages in them, especially based on scripture. Congratulations on your new book!
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By: Wanda Luthman on February 11, 2021
at 1:13 pm
Reblogged this on Wanda Luthman's Children's Books and commented:
Check out this awesome new book that’s coming out February 23rd, but you can sign up to be the winner of one copy of it by leaving a comment or sharing on your social media channels. You’ll need to click through to her original blog to leave a comment/let her know you’re sharing, in order to be entered.
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By: Wanda Luthman on February 11, 2021
at 1:15 pm
Charming picture book!
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By: bamauthor on February 11, 2021
at 3:36 pm
This idea is so clever and I can’t wait to read it. The illustrations are adorable and so much fun. I am an email subscriber and shared on tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter:
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By: Danielle Hammelef on February 11, 2021
at 3:38 pm
This looks like a really sweet book. Thanks for telling me about it.
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By: rosihollinbeck on February 11, 2021
at 3:52 pm
This sounds like a sweet and heartwarming story. Congratulations, Laura!
(I follow your blog, Kathy)
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By: Jill Markus Nogales on February 11, 2021
at 7:34 pm
What a sweet book that tells children they are never alone and the Good Shepard is with them and He will find them and take them safely home when they’re lost. I can see you did lot of research to make the story authentic to the place and time of Christ. A very terrific book!
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By: betlw on February 11, 2021
at 10:30 pm
Laura is our PB master class teacher for W2I. I shared this on 2 FB pages, Twitter and Pinterest. Thanks for hosting her!
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By: carolbaldwin on February 12, 2021
at 9:07 am
I can’t wait to hear Laura teach in her workshop! Love the lamb story!
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By: piercetp on February 12, 2021
at 9:19 am
Great post, Laura. I love your new author photo.
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By: tinamcho on February 12, 2021
at 8:17 pm
the cutest illustrations!
Hewi Mason
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By: hewi on February 14, 2021
at 9:47 pm
Very cute! I love how counting is a part of the book. Thanks for sharing! Congrats!
I will tweet this and I follow by email. 🙂
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By: Angie on February 19, 2021
at 5:15 pm