Valerie- Welcome to Book Worthy. Today, we're talking with Barb Sergi about book three of her Army of God picture book series, Tommy and the Good News Shoes. In this book, children learn about the shoes of peace. Ah, peace. Don't we all want peace? I can't wait to hear more about how shoes can communicate peace. Welcome to Book Worthy, Barb.
Barbara -Thank you, Valerie. I appreciate your podcast and am thankful that you do it.
Valerie -I'm so happy to have you here. To start us off, what is your favorite piece of clothing?
Barbara -Okay, you would think it would be shoes from the book, but it's not. I'm like a three-shoe, maybe four, lots of boots. I like, uh, cause it's cold here, but, um, no, I would, and I'm not a big close person, as you can see, um, just bare, um, I would, but I would say my favorite is the top, you know, what you're, which this doesn't really express it very well, but just something that, cause it kind of frames your face and, and kind of, I don't know.
Valerie - It's fun to think about it because I'm not a big clothes person. Still, you know, there are pieces in my closet that, you know, give me confidence that helped me, you know, if I want to portray myself in a certain way, it's like, okay, it's going to be one of these two or three shirts. And it's neat how clothes can do that for us. Even growing up, I did a lot of horseback riding, and there was just something about putting on cowboy boots that changed your demeanor. I can't say what it is, but I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I love how clothes communicate; it's just a way of, you know, expressing ourselves and our personality and giving us confidence.
Barbara -That's true.
Valerie- With Your Armor of God series, Tommy and the Good News Shoes, follows Hazel in the Belt of Truth and Oliver in the Breastplate of Righteousness. What inspired this series of books?
Barbara -Okay, yeah, I wasn't a writer like so many authors before this. I came to Christ, first of all, late in life. I was in my 30s and started doing a lot of Bible studies. So, I was interested in learning more and did Priscilla Shirer's Armor of God study. And that impacted me. And I was babysitting for a friend one night with her kids, Oliver and Hazel. And the idea just came to me. I was reading books to them off their shelf and thought, how cool would it be to have a book to read to kids that teaches them a little bit about the armor of God, to get it, you know, a conversation starter? I mean, my books are straightforward for kids. Well, my grandson was two, and he started reading them. So I guess it depends on the kid, but anywhere from two to eight, I would probably guess so. So yeah, just simple books for those that age.
Valerie -Well, I love what you've done with the books. You've taken something as profound as the armor of God, and you have simplified it to be understandable to young kids. It, I mean, your book doesn't have a lot of, um, Bible fluff or Christianese. It is straightforward and to the point. It puts them and takes your characters in situations that kids experience daily, like with Tommy and the Good News shoes; they're at Sunday school, and Tommy has difficulty going to class and separating from his parents. And Ali, I serve in children's ministry, so I see that every week. So, it's like that is an experience kids have, and they can genuinely relate to that. And I love that. You said that you were babysitting and that Hazel and Oliver are real kids in your world.
Barbara -They are. Yes, yes. One of my excellent friends that I'm still in contact with. Her kids were three and five at the time, and now they're like 14 and 15 or, you know, 14 and yeah, something like that. So yeah, it's they. It's been a while getting me from here there to here, but I've learned a lot. My first book was The Truth About Hazel's Cookie, about 40 pages. I didn't know. I didn't understand how many pages it was, and there are many different things about it, but I'm learning, and it's been fun.
Valerie- I think one of the reasons I enjoy writing books and encouraging other authors like yourself is that, golly, just books bring us in, and there is always something to learn. There's always something to do. There's always another round of edits, another picture to look at. There's always something. And that's one of the things I enjoy about the writing process.
Barbara-I agree. I agree.
Valerie -What about Hazel and Oliver? Do their personalities come through in the books themselves?
Barbara - Let's see, that's a good question. Well, I have to be truthful. Some of the actual plotlines were from my kids' experiences when they were growing up. And I turned it in to Oliver and Hazel. So, it's more my kids when they were little, like the first story, Hazel. The truth about Hazel's cookie. That one, I'm sorry, is kind of that one that came up from God and got me started. But this and that well, they all came of God, of course. But the second one, Oliver's battle, came from a story or an experience with my son and daughter. I don't know if you've read that one yet, but it's about the little boy who goes in with his new suit of armor and runs into his daughter's or his sister's room and scares her because he's running in with all the sword and all the pieces. And that kind of really did happen with my son and daughter. And my daughter ran into the bathroom and got, you know because she was scared and had to be coaxed out. And we had a lesson about that. But then the third book takes place; I guess they weren't all on my kids. But some of the ones coming up are on my kids, too. But yeah, they've just been different experiences that have indeed happened to me. Yeah, the one that Tommy, the good news shoes is, takes place at church, and there was a child back in the day that, of course, had trouble, wanting to stay, so that's where and had the shoes that sparkled and made music. So that's where that one came from.
Valerie -Too fun. Yeah, what is it? There's always that one kid with the squeaky shoes, like they're intentional to have the dog squeaky toy sound. And it's one of those; I laugh so hard whenever I hear that. It's kind of like I either know where my kid is, or I'm annoyed by my kid if they are wearing those shoes. Well, I love how your experiences in babysitting and being a parent have really inspired how you see kids and communicate with them. What, you know, you talked about this a little bit of how Hazel and Oliver inspired you to write for kids, but did that come quickly? Or did you ever think about writing for children?
Barbara -I didn't and still feel like, I mean, I try to go to conferences, but I think I need to go back and take an English course, a writing course. And I'm still planning to do that, but I'm just finding time. Even though I'm semi-retired, it's still hard to find time to get everything I want done. But, I mean, unfortunately, I don't have that background. I wish I did. Sometimes, it would make things easier.
Valerie -I think motherhood is its training ground, right? So, you get a lot of experience with kids in that time frame. Now, how many kids do you have?
Barbara—Yeah, I do have two, of course, grown. My daughter lives in California with her husband and two boys, and then I have a son here in Kansas City with his beautiful wife. They have a boy, a girl, and a boy. So they're all four grandkids under the age of five. So, our vacations are crazy right now.
Valerie -Oh wow, that's a lot of getting down on the ground and playing with those little ones. So sweet. Now, trying, yeah, I hear you. There are days I struggle. It's too fun. Now, um, that's it.
Barbara -Yes, yes, trying to get on the ground. I had a hip surgery, so.
Valerie, you talked about Priscilla Shrier's Armor of God Study. What aspect of that series' focus impacted you?
Barbara -It's just the whole thing. I mean, and I still have it right here on my desk. I keep it with every book. I go back and reread that section, like on that piece. I, I don't know, I just love it. I still love it. So I don't understand that I can say any one particular thing. But yeah.
Valerie - It is a very powerful scripture in the Ephesians. And so even like as a teen, I remember drawing the armor of God is just one of those things that were impressed upon me at a young age that how, I mean, I loved nights and, you know, fantasies and all that as a teen. And so it was just like, wow, God saw our world and helped make him tangible. You know, it's one of those ideas that this like. You know, an infinite God and all he provides for us is so we can't touch it. We can't see it, but to have something like very visual armor, and he had to put it on actively, was such a powerful symbol. Yeah.
Barbara -Yes, I'm a visual person. Yeah, right. Yeah, I'm a natural visual person. So, I remind myself every day, if I feel like I'm having a hard day or whatever, to go back to those pieces and look at each one and see if something needs to be addressed or if this is the truth. Is this the truth, or is this right? You know, and I'm saved. So I, and you know, puts things in perspective for me anyway. Yeah.
Valerie—It does. With Tommy and the Good News Shoes, what is the main message you hope to communicate to kids when they read your book?
Barbara—That one is, of course, on the Gospel of Peace. So I introduced the word peace and how that, and quiet, when the shoes, after the shoes, you know, get Tommy's attention, and he calms down and actually enjoys the music, and then everything gets quiet in the book. And that gives the teacher a chance to go on with the lesson, which, of course, is the gospel shoes of peace. So, learn about peace and the peace that the gospel gives you. Like I said, it's just introduced in the story. So, it's really, I'm working on some; I wish I would have done this before to put in the actual book, but there are discussion questions at the end for the parents to review with the kids. And I'm going to eventually have those here in hopefully a month or so on my website for the first three books, and then in the fourth book I'm working on, I plan to have it in the book at the back of the book. So, but yeah, just so that the parent can go over those things and, you know, at the kid's own, you know, pace and, you know, where they're at, you know, with their learning and everything.
Valerie - Right. I think that's what's great about the style of your book. It is a book that kids would want to read repeatedly. It's not too dull or too in-depth, but it is a lovely, simple truth that any kid could take and be able to understand peace because that is a complex concept for young minds to get on, and even adult minds. Now, you mentioned a fourth book. Is there another piece of the armor of God you will be bringing to us soon?
Barbara - Yes, and it's the Shield of Faith, which I'm excited about. So, if I had to pick a favorite, that would probably be my favorite. But it's you can't make a choice. But yeah, it's a story initiated from experience with my daughter and myself. So, yeah.
Valerie -Very neat. That sounds like it's one of those. The shield of faith feels like our defense, like the only defense we have. And it's a very defensive tool, but it's not the most powerful. I hope you'll get to the sword of truth because that'd be fun, too.
Barbara - Oh, yeah, I plan to. Yeah.
Valerie -So, I know for my boys, and they're more interested in weaponry than defensive mechanisms, but it's always important to talk about. We must defend ourselves and protect ourselves from the enemy because his Attacks don't always come in fiery arrows. It sometimes does come in little whispers. And so, to be able to defend ourselves, it is essential to communicate with kiddos. So, I'm excited to see how that comes about. And when that book hits the shelves, it'll be fascinating.
Barbara - Thank you. Yeah, I'm excited too. I'm actually on your, your son's sword. That's the, I've got an idea for, of course, but the faith book is done. Um, well, with almost as far as I'm concerned, but then the illustrator must do her part. But, um, and then I have an idea for the helmet of salvation, but the sword of the spirit, I'm still looking for a picture. So, let me know if you have any ideas from your sons with the blades.
Valerie -Just that everything can become a weapon. Everything.
Barbara- Okay, oh, good. That's a good start, actually. Yeah. Um, yeah, like the gift-wrapping roll.
Valerie—Yep. No, you're fine. Yeah. A ruler, a stick. Yes. Anything. Yes. Because when my son goes to Boy Scout camps, every picture that we get from the other counselors there shows him always having a stick in his hand. And I'm just like, yep. He always wants some sword or lightsaber or something. So, hey, there you go.
Barbara -Hahaha! Okay, that's a good start.
Valerie -Barb, what's been the most impactful book in your life other than the Bible?
Barbara—Well, can I use the Bible study? The Armor of God Bible study? That one. There's also
another book written by Jennifer Grant, Maybe God is Like That Too. And it was her book that kind of showed me how you could take something from the Bible, from verses and scripture, and then turn it into a, take it and what am I trying to say? Make it into your own story, you know, for kids. Yeah.
Valerie -Yeah, just kind of find the object lesson and, you know, continue on that story. The cause was God knew us well and that we needed stories to uncover the truth. The Bible is given to us because he knew stories were the best way to communicate his truth to us. And I think we honor him a lot when we continue to use that gifting of storytelling to communicate
deeper levels of what
God has already given us in His word. And so I appreciate that a lot. That's cool. Now, what is your favorite children's book other than your own?
Barbara -Um, I like that Jennifer Grant’s one. Maybe guys like that, too. Um, there's a favorite. And then, um, uh, classic, Where the Wild Things Are would be one. And then also there's another, um, another current, uh, Glenis Nellis has, um, uh, the, uh, mole series. I'm blanking out now. Little mole finds oak. That's it. I think. Yeah.
Valerie -Yes, Little Mole. Aww. Yeah, that whole series is lovely.
Barbara -Yeah, yeah, it's the first one. The whole series is good, but I love that first one. It was so cute.
Valerie—That's very cool. Now, what can we expect from you next? I'm guessing it will be that fourth book, but is there anything else we can expect from you?
Barbara -Well, of course, the whole and then five and six. Then, I plan to do a seventh book on prayer, too, since Ephesians 6 talks about prayer after it goes over the armor of God. So that's how I want to tie it all together. So then I am working, you know, on some other things too. I've got a book about a squirrel. Lucky the squirrel, if I ever get it. I want to try and get to that one, too, someday. And then, you know, I've got some other ideas rolling around in there, but nothing on paper yet. This keeps me pretty busy already, so.
Valerie -Yes, I'd imagine so. Very neat. Now, do you think it's easier to write from the perspective of your main characters being children, or do you think it's easier to write with squirrels and moles and other little characters?
Barbara - It doesn't matter to me because I take the animal and make it like the squirrel is like a kid. In my story, the squirrel is swinging on a swing at recess. So it's more like a kid but in a squirrel's body.
Valerie -I love the fearlessness of squirrels that embody just a kid's personality. And like, what is it? We have a friend with a huge oak tree in her front yard, and the squirrel will throw acorns at her. Just like, she'll try to talk to, she's like, hi, good morning. And he's like, boing. This is like, it's just been an amusing thing to watch her and the squirrel have their tenuous little relationship.
Barbara—Yeah, yeah, I can imagine. Yeah, we've moved, and our new house is in a new neighborhood, so we don't have any giant trees, but our old house had squirrels all over the place, and I just really enjoyed watching them. I kind of missed that part about how much I love my new house. But, you know.
Valerie—Yeah, there's something about the new neighborhoods. They usually tear down all the trees to build the houses and such that you do lose those cute little things running around. So we were in a newer area, and we just recently started getting more squirrels around because our trees are getting older. I'm like, yes, finally.
Barbara -Yeah, yeah, I've seen a couple. Yeah.
Valerie -Well, Barb, where can people learn more about you and your books?
Barbara, I do have a website at barbsurgy.com and am on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Yeah, yeah, all three of those.
Valerie—That's very neat. Well, I hope our listeners will reach out and discover more about you, your fun books, and what you have coming up. Thank you so much for joining us today, Barb.
Barbara -Thank you. I enjoyed it.
Valerie- it was my pleasure. Thank you for joining Barb and me on this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast. Check the show notes for any books or links that we discussed, and let us know in the comments what your favorite thing to wear is. Be sure to like and subscribe so we can discover more great books together.
Happy reading.
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