Children’s Books

Morehouse Publishing 9781640654532 $18.95 hardcover | 8 x 10 | 40 pages September 21, 2021

Sir Drake the Brave

Joy Jordan-Lake Illustrated by Susan Eaddy This lovingly illustrated book helps children see themselves as capable of great strength by being gentle and welcoming of others, including those who are different. As Drake gets ready for bed, his mother entertains his questions about tyrants, pirates, and dragons—which are really questions about the power of bullies. Their conversation reminds us all that “Not even kings are allowed to be mean.” Targeted for young children and their caregivers, Sir Drake the Brave is a declaration of ethics, integrity and faith: that kindness and courage ultimately are stronger than any sort of small-minded bullying or hate. Fun and entertaining, the story simultaneously teaches lessons of accepting others, and of the transforming power of welcome and love. “A gorgeous and imaginative bedtime book about facing your fears and battling bullies with kindness.” —Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales and author of The Dead Sea Squirrels series JOY JORDAN-LAKE is the author of A Tangled Mercy (Amazon bestseller and an Editor’s Choice of the Historical Novel Society) and Blue Hole Back Home (2009 Christy Award for Best First Novel and the Common Book selection for several universities). Among her nonfiction books are several exploring faith, racial justice, and adoption. She lives near Nashville, Tennessee, with her family. SUSAN EADDY is the author of Eenie Meenie Halloweenie, and her clay-illustrated books include Papa Fish’s Lullaby and My Love for You Is the Sun. She was an Art Director for fifteen years, has served as a judge for the Audie Awards, and has won international 3D illustration awards and a Grammy nomination.

Drake patted his horse.

“Not even Kings are allowed to be mean.” He hugged his mom hard. “So I’ll let them know.”

He raised the sash of his window where just in front of the house stood . . . A Dragon with Bright Shiny Scales, and A Pirate with Only One Eye, and A King Surrounded by Servants “OH. MY,” said Mom. Without a shudder, without a pause, Drake called into the dark, “Hey, Dragon! Hey, Pirate! Hey, King!

You can’t stay here UNLESS you can learn to be thoughtful and honest and gentle and kind.

Morehouse Publishing 9781640654037 $18.95 hardcover | 8 x 10 | 48 pages August 17, 2021

Once Upon a Time Not So Long Ago

Jennifer Grant Illustrated by Gillian Whiting The story of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes it brought into our homes, schedules, and social lives, with journal pages to record your own memories. Children and adults alike will be processing the shock, loss, and disappointment of the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come. This beautiful keepsake picture book captures the joys and sorrows of this time and the underlying message to readers is that they can make it through difficulty. The illustrations celebrate love, family, and community as they were expressed all across the globe in a time that taught us the meaning of togetherness. It also includes journal pages to record your own memories about this unique and historic time and the effect it has had on your own life. “This book offers a powerful way for parents and children to process all that we have felt during the pandemic.” —Matthew Paul Turner, author of When God Made You “Whiting’s painted tableaux, as spare as the narrative, depict a broadly diverse cast of contemporary human figures . . .” —Kirkus Reviews “Jennifer Grant doesn’t shy away from naming hard things: fear of illness, complications around shutdowns, and sadness over deaths. But she does so gently, and then she pivots to the ways we’ve responded to the pandemic by beginning to adapt our routines, help one another in new ways, find hope, and readjust our values. There are several journal pages at the end of the book with questions to prompt drawing, writing, and conversation.” —The Christian Century JENNIFER GRANT is the author of several books including the award-winning picture book Maybe God Is Like That Too. A mother of four and lifelong Episcopalian, she lives in the Chicago area with her husband and rescue dog, Scarlett. Connect with her online at jennifergrant.com.

GILLIAN WHITING studied Illustration at Syracuse University. This is her second published work, following A Little Blue Bottle. When she is not painting or drawing, you can find her snuggling with her two rescue Chihuahua mixes at home. See more of her art at gillianwhiting.com.

Morehouse Publishing 9781640654723 $14.95 paper | 6 x 9 | 64 pages November 16, 2021

Absalom Jones

America’s First Black Priest Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones Illustrated by Christopher Michael Taylor The story of a former slave and America’s first Black Episcopal priest is an inspiring model for living a full life of service and love. This book, appropriate for children but engaging enough for adults, begins by describing the reality of slavery during Jones’s life. Absalom Jones purchased his wife’s freedom before his own and dedicated himself to living the Christian faith. Through the difficulties and challenges of his time, he answered the call to serve the church and was ordained a priest and deacon to serve the first Black Episcopal Church in the United States. The first Black priest in the Anglican Communion continues to be one of the most important historical figures in the Episcopal Church. As the church pays attention to its own sins of racism, this book offers encouragement, guidance, hope, and inspiration. Jones’s life is an example of what it means to follow Jesus through faithful, courageous, and selfless living of the way of love. MARK FRANCISCO BOZZUTI-JONES is the priest and director of spiritual formation of Trinity’s Retreat Center in West Cornwall, Connecticut. He is an avid reader, award-winning author, and popular speaker, and has taught at elementary and university levels. He is also an NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Literary Work – Children. CHRISTOPHER M. TAYLOR A.K.A. ALPHACMT is an illustrator currently based in Virginia. With a background in comics, character, and graphic design, he’s pivoted towards commercial, contemporary, and pop-art paintings. His primary themes of inspiration are Afrofuturism, Afrocentric, and multi-cultural iconography, and social activism.

Related Title

I Sing a Song of the Saints of God Text by Lesbia Scott Illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown This charming presentation of the beloved classic hymn by Lesbia Scott (1898–1987) draws children into the vivid world of saints and their life adventures. 9780819215611 | $17.95 | hardcover