tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37899430481552305792024-03-07T18:37:35.466-08:00Simonetta Carr and Her BooksChildren's Biographiessimonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-22186849610159167002016-04-26T20:36:00.000-07:002016-04-26T21:12:51.755-07:00Why Michelangelo?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM__x6Z38YNMn_AXKe7zdaZq3BrEVXkLxQuhKPcDS5iYO9fVmvU_I2etsE9NCo8266zl9gCMERVHIkr_GMS5t8z_ilo38xnPBi3OolZqBpgaHZVbH1HGmULf8uY0H2_9_GjtIQ9bP8Uuav/s1600/27219866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM__x6Z38YNMn_AXKe7zdaZq3BrEVXkLxQuhKPcDS5iYO9fVmvU_I2etsE9NCo8266zl9gCMERVHIkr_GMS5t8z_ilo38xnPBi3OolZqBpgaHZVbH1HGmULf8uY0H2_9_GjtIQ9bP8Uuav/s1600/27219866.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I met
Nancy Sanders, a talented children’s author, two years ago, through the popular
32 Authors Online Scavenger Hunt. We have since become friends and she has been
a source of advice and even comfort in the difficult times of my life. At that
time, I noticed she had written several interesting books for Chicago Review
Press. Two titles were for their “For Kids” series of biographies, whose format
seemed very similar to that of my Christian Biographies for Young Readers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I
contacted the editors to see if they were interested in a title. Originally, I
wanted to write a book on the Protestant Reformation, in view of the 2017
anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses. They didn’t accept my proposal, but told me
they had been looking for someone willing to write a book on
Michelangelo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;">Immediately,
I saw many advantages in writing such a book. Michelangelo was Italian (so I
could read his original writings), he lived during a time period I have
researched in depth, and his works have an amazing depth that can enrich the
lives of children. Also, I had a burning desire to present the Protestant
Reformation and Roman Catholic response with clarity and accuracy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;">On the
other hand, I had to take many factors into consideration. First of all, art
books require many images which are normally very expensive. Second, I have
normally been writing for Christian families who may in some cases object to
images of God and Christ, or to images of the naked body (like the <i>David)</i>. On the other hand,
you can’t talk about Michelangelo without showing those images.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;">I sought
counsel from my pastors (Rev. Michael Brown and Dr. Rev. Michael Horton), who
encouraged me to pursue this project, especially since it practically fell on
my lap. You can’t teach children art history without incurring in images of God
and Christ, or occasional nudes. Parents can avoid this subject altogether, or
use judgment and wisdom in guiding the children in this field of learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Overall,
I think this book will be useful to many children and families.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-66782316876038826532012-10-22T09:48:00.000-07:002012-10-22T09:48:12.561-07:00A Special Review<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love it when young people review my books. After all, they are written for them! This is a review written by Katharine Olinger. Katharine is already a teenager, but still close to the book's target age and, as you will see, has great writing skills. This review was published <span style="font-size: 16px;">in the November 2012 issue of <i>New</i></span><i style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1350915942_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer;"> Horizons</span> in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church </i><span style="font-size: 16px;">and is reprinted here with the editor's permission</span><i style="font-size: 16px;">.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></i>I appreciate how Katharine pointed out her favorite aspect of the book. This type of reviews helps me to decide what features to emphasize or even omit from future titles. Thank you, Katharine!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="Newstext" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Jane Grey,</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> by Simonetta Carr. Published by Reformation Heritage Books, 2012. Hardback, 63 pages, list price $18.00. Reviewed by OP member Katharine Olinger.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Newstext" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Live to die, that by death you may enter into eternal life, and then enjoy the life that Christ has gained for you by His death. Don’t think that just because you are now young your life will be long, because young and old die as God wills” (p. 61). These were some of the last words of Lady Jane Grey—seventeen years old and facing execution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Newstext" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">In Simonetta Carr’s new book, </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Jane Grey</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">, the life of this young English monarch is painted clearly for the young reader, both figuratively and literally. It is not a black-and-white chapter book, but rather, because it is meant to be interesting to readers aged 7–12, it is thoroughly illustrated with vibrant paintings as well as photographs and sketches. And yet how could Jane’s story be suitable for young readers? She ruled for only two tumultuous weeks before being usurped by Bloody Mary, and six months later she was executed. Wouldn’t a story of success be a better guide for children growing in their faith? When Carr subtly addresses this issue, she does it well, pointing to Jane Grey’s own words and letters, such as, “Strive, then, always to learn how to die” (p. 62). Carr explains that Jane’s story “encourages many Christians with the thought that the same God who preserved and strengthened Jane’s faith until the end will do the same for all His children” (p. 54). </span></span></div>
<div class="Newstext" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">My favorite aspect of </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Jane Grey</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> is the author’s use of original sources, such as Jane’s heartfelt letter to her sister. It’s one thing to read an account of her childhood and execution, but to read the dying advice of one sister to another, sisters by birth </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">and</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"> faith, is quite another. This book would be a fine addition to any church or home library of one who is seeking to educate children in the way they should go, no matter what God intends for their lives.</span></span></div>
simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-1008308460474151692012-07-15T20:49:00.000-07:002012-10-22T08:52:02.318-07:00Correction<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A correction for the upcoming Lady Jane book. On page 10<span style="line-height: 20px;">, I said that, after Jane, Francis and Harry Grey had two more daughters and two sons. As far as we can tell by the documents available, this is wrong. They probably had one son named Henry before Jane, but he died as an infant, probably in his first year. There is also a possibility that Francis had a son from a second marriage. In any case, Francis and Harry did not have two sons together.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">I was given this mistaken information by an expert who has since apologized for the confusion. I also apologize for not checking his information against other sources. It’s a good lesson learned, and this mistake will be corrected at the first available opportunity.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Just to let you know how I work, normally I send my manuscript to at least two leading experts on the specific character I am studying. When they send back their corrections, I insert them. If they seem to disagree with each other, I ask for further explanations. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I have learned from this last mistake that I should check every single correction they send, unless they both send the same one. </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">God willing, the quality and accuracy of these books will continue to improve.</span></span>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-26903226918753575002012-06-20T21:23:00.002-07:002012-06-20T21:23:41.671-07:00Interview with William Boekestein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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William Boekestein and I share much of the same vision and passion for teaching church history to children. He is the pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA, a father of three young and very bright children, and author of three books in a series for children about the stories behind the Reformed confessions (<i>Faithfulness Under Fire, the Story of Guido Bres</i>, T<i>he Quest for Comfort, the Story of the Heidelberg Catechism</i>, and the upcoming <i>The Glory of Grace, the Story of the Synod of Dordt)</i>. Recently I have had the pleasure to ask him a few questions about his thoughts and plans. Here are his answers.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1.
<b>Some time ago, you wrote an article on appreciating church history
("Avoiding Chronological Snobbery"). How is church history important
for children today?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
I was recently asked to speak to a local Rotary Club on the topic of
“Turning obscure history into children’s books.” I told the audience that if
this didn’t strike them as a stimulating topic…it gets worse. The books I have
written are about obscure theological history. The “claim to fame” of the main
characters in my books is that they wrote religious dissertations and
catechisms! But I believe this kind (and other kinds) of church (and secular)
history is important for children for several reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> First, history is a great teacher. It
provides greater perspective than our experiences allows. It provides negative
examples of what we should avoid. We learn through our mistakes. But how much
better to learn through the mistakes of others. History also provides examples
of valor and courage. Fiction can do the same thing (and we love fiction!). But
history can appeal more powerfully to our sense of reality. History also helps
us to resist unhelpful fads by highlighting the tried and true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
Second, church history is important for children because they need to
know that ideas have consequences. The stories I have written describe a time
when people were more honest about the significance of ideas. Sixteenth century
folks would have laughed at the notion of ideological relativism. I do not
endorse the extreme lengths to which people of varying convictions have gone to
defend their positions. But we lie to children today when we say, “It doesn’t
matter what you believe” or “all ideas are equal.” People in the sixteenth
century agreed that what you believe about the mortality of man, the existence
of God and the reasons for doing good really matter. The protagonists in these
stories dedicated their lives to, and sometimes lost them in, defending ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
Third, church history is important because Children better grasp ideas
that are connected to people. Suppose you wanted children to catch a vision for
Rotary International. You could try expositing to them the four guiding
principles by way of explanation and application. But can you imagine a young
child saying, “Please tell me more about, ‘The application of the ideal of
service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life’?” Or you
could tell them the stories of famous Rotarians like Admiral Richard E. Byrd,
the intrepid Arctic explorer, the first to reach both poles by air, or aviation
pioneer Orville Wright, or the famous founders of Walmart, Walgreens and J.C.
Penny’s who were all active Rotarians. No doubt their stories would provide
concrete and vivid expressions of service in action. If we want to teach our
children of the importance of wholehearted service to God (as well as to man)
we can tell the stories of people who modeled this devotion in a way that we might
never do. Guido de Bres wrote, “Since we have the [awe] of God before our
eyes…we offer our backs to the whip’s lash, our tongues to the knives, the
mouth to the muzzle, and the whole body to the flames. For we know that whoever
will follow Christ must take up his cross and deny himself.” He went on to
practice what he preached. When children see hear of that kind of devotion
illustrated in living color and written in words they can understand, it makes
an impression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
Finally, I believe church history is important for children because they
need heroes who lose. Life is hard. And we do our children no service by only
providing them with stories where everything works out nicely at the end. At
the end of “Pollyanna” her rude aunt gets nice, marries her secret love
interest, and Pollyanna overcomes a crippling accident by learning to walk
again. We love “Pollyanna.” But that’s not always how life works. The
protagonist in my first book, Guido de Bres, dies at the end of an executioners
noose. Prior to that he was hunted by authorities simply for what he believed.
Members of his own congregation were burned at the stake for their faith. In
this particular story, I believe that Guido de Bres ultimately won. He had
committed his life to the God who promises forgiveness of sins and eternal life
for those who believe in him. But his life was hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
I would say that Church history is not only important for children
today, it’s essential. Christianity is a historical religion. The great themes
of the Bible (creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) are not merely
ideas, they are real events that powerfully affect us. The Psalmist says, “I
remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of
your hands (Psalm 143:5; emphasis added). If we believe that God works in all
of history then we need to introduce our children to this history. The previous
verse says “One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall
declare Your mighty acts.” This is not a suggestion, it’s an expectation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">2.
<b>Besides writing children's books on church history, what do you do to
help your own children to appreciate our rich Christian heritage?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> We read a lot! We also try to do
fun projects with our kids based on the books that they have read. I think it
was in connection with your book on John Calvin that we made a quoits game
(something Calvin apparently found time to play). The kids loved it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">3.
<b>I asked one of my sons once what type of Christian books he appreciated
most and he said, "The ones that actually teach me something." Your
books for children are simple but don’t "dumb children down." They
are historically accurate and talk rather straightforwardly about difficult
times and profound doctrines. What are the challenges of writing serious and
well-informed books for children?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
I think my greatest challenge in this area is remembering that I am not
writing for myself. I am so thankful for the editorial work of others who seem
to be gently but firmly telling me, “Remember, you are writing for children!” I
hope that reading really good children’s literature helps overcome my
inclination to write for adults when I am trying to write for children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">4.
<b>In writing history, especially for children, an author is always forced
to decide what to include and what to leave out. Can you give an example of one
of your most difficult decisions in these regards?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
There are always so many interesting historical facts that have to be
cut, especially from a children’s story. In my forthcoming children’s book on
the Synod of Dort (October 2012, D.V.) one spread features William of Orange
and his heroic leadership of the Dutch in their struggle against Catholic
Spain. I think it’s an interesting fact that William, in exchange for leading
the Dutch revolution, became one of the first leaders of state to be
assassinated by a handgun. But considering strict word-count limits, as well as
the difficulty of succinctly introducing concepts such as “assassination” to a
young audience, this detail will probably be left out. Plus, some have felt
that this series introducing the stories behind the reformed confessions has
been to dark already, so why push it with another death reference!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">5.
<b>You have chosen to have full illustrations in your book. Can you tell us
what are the advantages and the challenges of this choice?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
Since our intended audience for these books is somewhere between ages
3-9 we felt that full illustrations were a must. I think Evan Hughes has done
such a great job in helping kids connect with the stories. The only real
disadvantage to full illustrations is the cost. Even with Evan working for very
reasonable rates (compared to industry standards) the costs are quite
significant since the print runs are relatively small. I am personally grateful
to the publishers for seeing this project through despite the heavy upfront
costs and dubious prospects of fully recouping them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">6.
<b>Your books introduce children to the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg
Catechism, telling the story behind those historical documents. This makes for
an exciting read for many children who are raised in Reformed churches and are
familiar with these documents. Have you received any comments from families who
have never read these works but are now discovering them through your books?”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
One of the kind reviews of “The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the
Heidelberg Catechism” begins this way, “Baptists do not tend to do catechisms.
I don’t know why. We should.” The reviewer goes on to say, “This book aims at
teaching ‘us that deeply held beliefs and profound theological truths are
worthy of the difficulties often faced defending them.’ Our children need to
know that. They need to be brought up
knowing that there are some truths that are so precious they are worth fighting
and even dying for. This book helps
children to discover that our “quest for comfort” often follows a road filled
with suffering, but God is faithful and His gospel is worth it.” (Read the full
review at http://www.mikeleake.net/2012/02/quick-review-of-quest-for-comfort-by.html).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">7. <b>
Once you talked about an idea of a Christian children's authors
conference. I think it's a fantastic idea because "iron sharpens
iron," and if it is open to the general public we could cover many relevant
subjects, including the importance of exposing children to good literature. I
don't know if the idea will ever materialize, but what were you hoping to
achieve with it?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
I think we are seeing some exciting developments in terms of Children’s
writing from a confessional and reformed perspective. I am so thankful for the
work of R.C. Sproul, Sinclair Ferguson, Starr Meade, Susan Hunt, and yourself,
just to name a few. Still, if we compare the quality and quantity of books in
this genre with children’s publishing in general it is clear that much more
work needs to be done. Each year our family checks out several hundred books
from the library. The number of good books on a myriad of topics and
personalities never ceases to amaze me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
I would love to see authors, church and school educators, pastors,
parents and children (etc.) come together to encourage each other in the
development and use of quality, biblical, books for children. Authors would
have the opportunity not only to share their ideas with the audience but also
to receive input. Educators and parents would be introduced to relevant books
and encouraged with creative ways to use them. Such a conference might even
help set events in motion which could lead to an endowment for reformed
children’s books, something that would be an incredible boon for the genre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now that you have me thinking about it
again, I’m more excited than ever! Maybe this could happen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> <span lang="EN-US">8. What are your future plans as an author?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I am in the
final editing process with RHB for the provisionally titled, “The Glory of
Grace: The Story of the Synod of Dort.” The artwork is just getting underway. I
am also working on a devotional on the incarnation of Christ as well as a study
guide on the Gospel of Mark which I hope to have published next year. I would
like to write a story on the Westminster Assembly for children but since
children’s books on deliberative assemblies are seldom best sellers it might be
best to see how “The Glory of Grace” is received before proceeding. I have few
other partly or mostly completed manuscripts that I would like to move forward
with, when time and resources permit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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</div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-50899278568243185392012-02-11T07:42:00.000-08:002012-02-16T07:57:42.805-08:00Striving for Quality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AMsRqtDmeLi-n1U-IeB7UNgrS_7Sf2SEOXX3GqyMAvdzLVTnK72nhPr9KFiN47wm4EsQqy8_1WvrhTSstwb-JiRUYIQy2gMsu8eI7Outw0tlB9vny5LkmhniRgqEJU7VGn7uzx-_lVnr/s1600/Jane_Guildford.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AMsRqtDmeLi-n1U-IeB7UNgrS_7Sf2SEOXX3GqyMAvdzLVTnK72nhPr9KFiN47wm4EsQqy8_1WvrhTSstwb-JiRUYIQy2gMsu8eI7Outw0tlB9vny5LkmhniRgqEJU7VGn7uzx-_lVnr/s400/Jane_Guildford.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709425738860252194" /></a><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.28373551764525473"><span><span style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span>I am quite stubborn. It can be an advantage or a problem, so I have to keep it in check. So far, it has been mostly good. It has helped me to take the extra step when my body and soul were ready to give up. Sometimes, however, I have to evaluate those extra steps very carefully. What’s my motivation? Are they worth the effort and especially the cost?<br /><br />I have done a similar re-evaluation a few days ago, when my illustrator raised his fees. It was a perfectly legitimate request. No illustrator of his caliber gets as little money as he does. He initially gave me low fees to help me out, but it’s time that he gets proper remuneration, especially since he has a family to support.<br /><br />I don’t know if this is of any interest to others, but if you have appreciated the quality of the illustrations in the series of <a href="http://www.cbfyr.com/">Christian Biographies for Young Readers</a>, published by <a href="http://www.heritagebooks.org/">Reformation Heritage Books</a> (RHB), you may want to know how they come about.<br /><br />First, I must explain the financial side and my arrangement with RHB. Most people are surprised when they find that I have a publisher but I pay for my own illustrations and photos. The reason is simple. RHB is still a relatively small publisher, and the type and amount of photos and illustrations I have envisioned for these books is beyond most editorial budgets. Of course, there are large publishers who have the means to take on this type of projects, but initially they haven't shown any interest.<br /><br />When I proposed my first book (John Calvin) to publishers, one very frequent objection was the cost. The first publisher I approached (a rather large Christian publisher) told me that for any company to consider this idea, it would have to be a small paperback book in black-and-white. That's why the illustrations in my first book are not in color. Eventually, they rejected the proposal even under those terms.<br /><br />Other publishers made similar comments. One told me that I could not choose my own illustrator, and that they never pay much for illustrations anyhow. I don't know what thoughts inspired RHB to publish my books in color with a hard cover and an impeccable layout, but they did, and I am grateful for it. By contract, I am paying all expenses related to artwork and photos. Thankfully, they pay upfront and reimburse themselves from my royalties, otherwise I could never afford it.<br /><br />There are, as I said, some Christian publishers who have the means to invest in high-cost productions, but they have to believe they will get appropriate returns. It has to make marketing sense. Again, at the time of my first proposal, a publisher told me that single biographies for children would never sell. A few others concurred. No explanation was given. They said it was just something they had experienced in the past. On the other hand, non-Christian biographies are selling fairly well. Why?<br /><br />I am not a marketing expert and I am not ready to study this rather mysterious field, but one reason why children’s biographies which are not specifically Christian in nature sell well may be that they are backed by teachers and school librarians. On Martin Luther King Jr.'s day, for example, thousands of children throughout our nation are directed to libraries to read about this man. Some biographies are read in schools. Left to themselves, typical school-age children roaming through a library might be more prone to pick up a book about Captain Underpants, but parents and teachers often lead them to different choices.<br /><br />If this consideration is correct, the question is, do parents and Christian-school teachers believe that biographies are important for children, and do they promote them? I think the homeschooling community is doing very well in this respect. My feeling (and I may be wrong) is that other parents and Christian school staff could do better. I have talked about the benefits of teaching Church history to children in another <a href="http://simonetta-carr.blogspot.com/2010/11/church-history-for-children.html">blog post</a>.<br /><br />This is where my stubborness gets evaluated. Why am I insisting on quality illustrations? Can I lower the standards? Are they really important? The answer boils down to my initial commitment to produce all-around quality books.<br /><br />My initial motivation for writing this series, as I have mentioned in other blogs, has been the desire to see Christian biographies for children rise to the same standard I had been noticing in children’s biographies in general, which are constantly improving in quality, accuracy, fairness, and visual appeal.<br /><br />Accuracy and fairness of course take the cake. Until recently, historical accuracy in children’s books has not been a major concern. In the 19th century, most biographies for children were largely fictionalized and had a strong message which took precedence over the actual retelling of facts. Today we see a much greater interest in accuracy, especially in the homeschooling community where these books are often used to supplement a serious study of human history.<br /><br />Accuracy in Christian biographies is important not only to teach children what really happened in church history, without embellishments, exaggerations, or cover-ups, but also, in my view, as a way to inform non-Christians. I have already quoted Dr. Diarmaid McCullough, professor of the History of the Church at Oxford, as saying, "It seems to me that the history of Christianity is absolutely essential to talk about because there is so much bad history about it, and arrogance, conceit, dogmatism are all based on bad history." After all, understanding the history of Christianity is essential for anyone who wants to understand Western history and our present time.<br /><br />To achieve the appropriate accuracy in my books I spend a year studying the subject and consulting experts, who normally read my manuscript and make comments and corrections. Even the illustrations are done under the advice of experts in the field, who have been amazingly gracious in answering all my questions.<br /><br />Photos are important to show young children that these characters really lived, and we can still see the buildings they saw, the churches they attended, and even some of the furniture or other objects they used.<br /><br />Art is important to spur the imagination and to keep the attention alive. Besides, since my books are very factual, illustrations give me a way to show what the feelings may have been or how some situations may have appeared to an observer, without having to interrupt my account of facts with too many “maybe’s" or “probably’s."<br /><br />It’s true that I could just use lower-quality artwork, which would reduce the costs, but I think it’s too late for that. We have set the standard too high in every way. The only solution is to increase sales to be able to pay the illustrator. I believe the project is important and the products are well done. To increase sales I need to raise awareness, especially in schools and in the homeschooling community. Or we could go back to ancient times, when patrons sponsored artistic and cultural enterprises... </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span> </div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-60412888035874536082012-01-02T11:28:00.000-08:002012-01-02T12:09:51.413-08:00Weight of a Flame - Truth and Fiction (part 4)<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Hunters_in_the_Snow_(detail)_-_WGA3437.jpg/398px-Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Hunters_in_the_Snow_(detail)_-_WGA3437.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 480px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Hunters_in_the_Snow_(detail)_-_WGA3437.jpg/398px-Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Hunters_in_the_Snow_(detail)_-_WGA3437.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Hopefully, this is the last part in my Truth and Fiction description of <i>Weight of a Flame</i>.<div><br /></div><div><b>Chapter 14</b> </div><div><i>What's true:</i> The visit to the Sinapiuses, including Emilio's fall and the decision to take Theodora to Schweinfurt. Fanino's news are also true.</div><div><i>What's fiction</i>: as usual, the details of the events. There is no indication that Francoise and Olympia went ice-skating, nor that Olympia was not good at sports. I added the scene to lighten up the gloomy progression of events, and I made her unsuccessful in sports because she excelled so much in her studies. It's true, however, that in one of her letters she applauded a young man for putting his studies over sports. The idea of ice-skating was also inspired by Bruegel's painting "Hunters in the Snow" (see detail here - uploaded from Wikimedia Commons). </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Chapter 15</b> </div><div><i>What's true:</i> The news about Linz and Olympia's letter. It's also true that a group of scholars and believers met quite often at the Grunthlers' house to discuss books and Scriptures.</div></div><div><i>What's fiction</i>: Again, the description of events. I omitted to mention that Olympia had a maid at that time, but the omission was just to keep the chapter simple and focused on the main event. Even with the maid, I am sure Olympia had to do quite a bit of work in the home, especially since in her letters she complained about the girl's disappointing performance and behavior.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Chapter 16-17</b> </div><div><i>What's true: </i>The siege, the plague, Andreas' illness, the cellar</div><div><i>What's fiction: </i>Some of the details. We especially don't know what type of illness was this "plague".</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Chapter 18</b></div><div><i>What's true:</i> The escape, the itinerary, the imprisonment. Many events, including Olympia's reaction to the walk, are recorded verbatim from her description.</div></div><div><div><div><i>What's fiction: </i>Some of the details </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Chapter 19</b></div><div><i>What's true:</i> The main story. It's also true that Elizabeth gave Olympia a dress.</div></div></div><div><div><div><i>What's fiction: </i>Some of the details. We don't know how Olympia found out about her illness. We also don't know if she had bloody issues. Her description of her symptoms leads to think it was tuberculosis, so I wrote accordingly, but it's not certain.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Chapter 20</b></div><div><i>What's true: </i>Jerome was really a student of Olympia. Much of the conversation is taken from their correspondence. It's also true that Olympia was invited to court. Some scholars have doubted that she was offered a position as lecturer of Greek at the university, but the appointment is mentioned in some documents written by her contemporaries. </div></div></div><div><div><div><i>What's fiction: </i>Some of the details </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Epilogue</b></div><div><i>What's true:</i> Everything!</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy reading!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-47718115423965649552011-12-30T18:21:00.000-08:002011-12-30T19:20:24.819-08:00Weight of a Flame - Truth and Fiction (part 3)<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Castello_ferrara_prigioneparisina.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Castello_ferrara_prigioneparisina.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I am continuing the explanation of what is truth and what is fiction in my book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Weight of a Flame - the Passion of Olympia Morata</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapters 7-8</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What is true</span> - once again, the events are true. Olympia returned home, sometimes she met Andreas Grunthler, her father got better then worse, John Sinapius took care of him at first and then left for Germany. Finally, Fulvio died, Olympia returned to court and was rejected.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - We don't know how any of those events really developed. I was especially trying to find how Andreas and Olympia met. In one of her later letters (after their wedding) she said, "I still love you. If I didn't, I would tell you, just like I used to tell you that I couldn't stand you." That gave me a clue. I imagined that during their first meeting she couldn't stand him for some reason.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 9</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - Again, the events are true. At some point, Olympia realized that she had lost sight of what is really important - the knowledge of God.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - No one knows how that realization came to her. The letter she finds in a drawer is really a letter her father wrote to Curio, but there is no indication that she found it at this point. It's just a tool I used to develop the story.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 10</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - The main events and what is told about Fanini. The description of the prison is fairly accurate since I have visited the place, but of course I had to imagine how the same prison looked in the 16th century.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - How the events developed and how the characters interacted. I also had to invent a way for Andreas to propose. A friend of mine who is a medieval history major told me that in those days men often proposed in writing, usually to the girls' father. Since Olympia's father had died, I imagined that the letter was addressed to her but Andreas asked for her mother's permission.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 11</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - The poem was really written by Olympia. The traveling plans are true, and Renée really gave some money and a wedding dress.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - How the plans were formulated and presented to Olympia.<br /><br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Transhumance.jpg/500px-Transhumance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Transhumance.jpg/500px-Transhumance.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapters 12-13</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - It's true that Andreas went to Germany first, and then returned to take Olympia and Emilio with him. It's also true that Olympia missed him desperately. All letters are from her. The news Andreas gives are also true. The rendition of Psalm 23 is really Olympia's. It's also true that they stayed with Georg Hormann and visited the Fuggers (and the main description of the Fuggers and their financial empire is true).<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - I had to imagine Olympia's loneliness, Andreas' return, and then their trip. I actually used mapquest for parts of it! I had to also contact a Museum in Trento, a city on the border between Italy and Germany, to find how the roads had changed since then (I thank Dr. Giovanni Kezich, director at Museo degli Usi e Costumi della Gente Trentina for his kindness in answering my numerous questions). He was actually the one who suggested Olympia might have met a flock of sheep in transhumance, since it was summer (see photo). I also read Goethe's <span style="font-style:italic;">Italian Journey</span>, where he talks about his experience crossing the Alps (he went from Germany to Italy and Olympia went from Italy to Germany, but more or less the experience was similar). About Olympia's meeting with the Fuggers, I don't know what really happened. I know that she had always wanted to give them her poems, but there is no mention of it after her visit. So I imagined what may have happened...<br /><br />Photos: 1. Prison cell in the castle of Ferrara, by Massimo Baraldi, wikimedia<br />2. Sheep transhumance (seasonal migration), by Falken, Wikimediasimonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-1585766103587666322011-12-30T12:37:00.000-08:002012-02-11T07:50:35.430-08:00Weight of a Flame - Truth and Fiction (part 2)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYBUv-5_rWVb9CAcDUJNgc_aDQC_29we-rTpt2jzqGXbuhWBLAij9EfwevOgd90WQo05gKTzQLtOanvsjATDXwWEV6A2iJsKYbM9pXSNROmEJP_-4WPxtqTy4X3y5837-22F8xDSfE1ts/s1600/italy+045.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYBUv-5_rWVb9CAcDUJNgc_aDQC_29we-rTpt2jzqGXbuhWBLAij9EfwevOgd90WQo05gKTzQLtOanvsjATDXwWEV6A2iJsKYbM9pXSNROmEJP_-4WPxtqTy4X3y5837-22F8xDSfE1ts/s320/italy+045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692042359367785650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4YD5EMpNBeYXmVj61g6ashyGNN71DMDfADKt24q1WLH62jpdp3ukV3sbjw-lCWF15CuyIhRgyttnEdvb3XFNHyxGfY0hQ7lSCbasc2WYbPWCyc_RtiDnQOFgMl5vsJMKu5zuaSAr5jA5/s1600/italy+047.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4YD5EMpNBeYXmVj61g6ashyGNN71DMDfADKt24q1WLH62jpdp3ukV3sbjw-lCWF15CuyIhRgyttnEdvb3XFNHyxGfY0hQ7lSCbasc2WYbPWCyc_RtiDnQOFgMl5vsJMKu5zuaSAr5jA5/s320/italy+047.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692041974355178098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug2NJliD38wut4oRH1N6IKzxFSKJagYaTd9JwKVUBA5D9Le511yqu1pRUfH8ZaFQ-RGDsF_9WGhxM2TsCiP5LWra-STHKrGXppSDHP-_G4Fuj8BWqTmUlE9-Smi9eWV8bvfj7k2AtTDO1/s1600/italy+049.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug2NJliD38wut4oRH1N6IKzxFSKJagYaTd9JwKVUBA5D9Le511yqu1pRUfH8ZaFQ-RGDsF_9WGhxM2TsCiP5LWra-STHKrGXppSDHP-_G4Fuj8BWqTmUlE9-Smi9eWV8bvfj7k2AtTDO1/s320/italy+049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692040738967642722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheYokaK3_O2tft5i1LZcDADDc9Ps8J-iVrHld63nhuFZ8Pu0GwZG-GQm4iWnKZC9SliTfW9VkpCk3EbG3P-S93IObiAZzXbDs5EYlMu4Ajf6FkzkwlfbdoL65BzKCRlPXdtLjqtoYfYK5/s1600/italy+040.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheYokaK3_O2tft5i1LZcDADDc9Ps8J-iVrHld63nhuFZ8Pu0GwZG-GQm4iWnKZC9SliTfW9VkpCk3EbG3P-S93IObiAZzXbDs5EYlMu4Ajf6FkzkwlfbdoL65BzKCRlPXdtLjqtoYfYK5/s320/italy+040.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692040370887197842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexW5jU6jxO-c4YOIZdqpkkJHdpEJUngQ-BvMbXeQgN9YKbbzBG3Qo1QA-K0ac_IR3QxCaAon2a4QxxVJmBaAkUhOO6GnKnrI8DUKQiqHeHLQDYMLTneabRnByQJf-yXSC1pB_qDJ0Khvp/s1600/italy+042.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexW5jU6jxO-c4YOIZdqpkkJHdpEJUngQ-BvMbXeQgN9YKbbzBG3Qo1QA-K0ac_IR3QxCaAon2a4QxxVJmBaAkUhOO6GnKnrI8DUKQiqHeHLQDYMLTneabRnByQJf-yXSC1pB_qDJ0Khvp/s320/italy+042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692040098292942418" /></a><br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Castello_esterno.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 491px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Castello_esterno.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weight of a Flame - the Passion of Olympia Morata</span><br />Truth and Fiction (part 2)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 2</span> -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - the description of the castle of Ferrara and the background information about Renée, Ercole, and the Duchy of Este.<br />Fun fact - some people asked me how to pronounce Ercole. Italians don't have a separate "er" sound, so you just pronounce the initial "e" as a short English "e". The accent goes on that "e". And of course you pronounce the last "e". Don't worry about rolling the "r". If you are totally frustrated, you can call him Hercules, because that's what the name means in Italian. But then, don't be offended if I translate your name into Italian next time I see you. All the names of Ercole's children and tutors are real.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - the whole scene. I don't know how Olympia spent the first few hours at the castle.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 3</span> -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - Everything the teachers said about Olympia and her talents. The poem is true. It's also true that some women were saying she needed to forget the pen and pick up some bed sheets.<br />Fulvio's suggestions on speech are from a letter to Olympia, including the Tite Tute Tati tongue-twister. By the way, my father taught me the same tongue-twister when I was a child, so I felt a strong connection there.<br />Olympia's speech on Cicero's Paradoxes is recorded and what I have quoted is taken from her actual words.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - Again, the scene and her feelings. We do know that she was sick just before giving the speech, so possibly the tension was there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter four</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - The background story and the quote of the letter from Calvin to Renée.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - How the events progressed. We have no indication of a conversation between Renée and Ercole that was overheard by Olympia, of a discussion between Olympia and Anne, nor of one between Olympia and Renée on the Mass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter five</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - It's true that Calvin mediated in the marriage between Francoise and John Sinapius. All the facts about Lavinia and Paolo, and about Renée's earlier marriage proposals are true. Olympia's poem about nuns is by her hand. It's true that she translated (probably with Anne) two tales from the Decameron. The whole story Curio tells here is true (according to his account of it). Her questions about prayer at the end are also true. We know she discussed these doubts with Lavinia but didn't work hard to find an answer.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - again, the various scenes. For example, Curio's tale is true, but we don't know if Olympia asked him to repeat it for her and her friends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 6</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - The whole papal visit is true, to the smallest details. Her letter at the end, praising the duke, is also true. This type of letters led me to infer some form of denial about any negative aspects at court.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's fiction</span> - We don't know what the pope said to Olympia (if anything). We also don't know if Olympia saw her mother and brother in the crowd.<br /><br />Photos:<br />1. View of Ferrara from the top of the castle tower.<br />2. My kids on the drawing bridge in front of the castle.<br />3. My kids on a cannon behind the castle. I wonder if kids were allowed to do this back then.<br />4. A photo of a print in the kitchen of the castle. I think it's a floor plan.<br />5. My daughter pretending to be Renée of France in her chapel. The lighting is bad. The marble is white and black.<br />6. The Castle of Ferrara, by Massimo Baraldi, Wikimedia (all the photos above are mine)simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-5027122040162759742011-12-30T11:20:00.000-08:002011-12-30T12:01:34.659-08:00Weight of a Flame - Truth and Fiction<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Olympia_Fulvia_Morata.jpg/220px-Olympia_Fulvia_Morata.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 265px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Olympia_Fulvia_Morata.jpg/220px-Olympia_Fulvia_Morata.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/f3fb3380-6a88-4f86-b6ba-b8427861808a.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/f3fb3380-6a88-4f86-b6ba-b8427861808a.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCEmUjuVTAGVT6RHHGjwUSPDF82YQ7xmVkT-j0qpZwIjiZYs8-s63qVCmN6WZQT9EEJNvNzJL00HF2psoqBIHQnGFWDHHb5yrq8qmir-8_sYZYKicmgFixNQvHLPUQFOJaYuyC7ntH2A1/s1600/cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCEmUjuVTAGVT6RHHGjwUSPDF82YQ7xmVkT-j0qpZwIjiZYs8-s63qVCmN6WZQT9EEJNvNzJL00HF2psoqBIHQnGFWDHHb5yrq8qmir-8_sYZYKicmgFixNQvHLPUQFOJaYuyC7ntH2A1/s320/cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692009682467457666" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />As promised, I am beginning to write a list of what is historically true and what is a fruit of my imagination in every chapter of my book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Weight of a Flame, the Passion of Olympia Morata</span>. I will start with the first chapter. Your comments are welcome!<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cover</span> - Olympia's looks on the cover are the fruit of the artist's imagination of Robert Papp. There is only one portrait available that depicts Olympia Morata. There she is much older, and we don't know for sure if it's an accurate portrait, so our artist has taken the liberty to take those basic features and come up with a younger Olympia.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Map</span> - the map is quite accurate, between my knowledge of Italy and my map artist's (Tom Carroll) knowledge of Germany. Fun fact - we used mapquest for much of the route, including an approximate time of their trip (I chose "on foot" because the wagon probably traveled quite slowly). BTW, Tom Carroll did not get credit for the map, which was a sad oversight. We will remedy in the next edition. For the time being, please know that he has been very accurate and patient. It's not easy to find 16th century maps and retrace someone's steps.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter One</span> -<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's true</span> - In 1539, Olympia went to live at the court of Duke Ercole and Duchess/Princess Renée of France. It's true that her parents were Fulvio Pellegrino Morato and Lucrezia Morata. The tailor's conversation about the duchess is based on reported facts. It's also true that Fulvio had to leave Ferrara for a while and had just returned. He was a teacher at the University and a tutor at the ducal court. And it's true that he wrote a book on colors and flowers (the quote is from the book) and taught Calvin's Institutes to his students on some occasions.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What's imagined</span> - We don't know any of their personalities. We know nothing about Lucrezia. I deduced something of Fulvio's personality by his writings (letters and his treatise on colors and flowers). He seemed a little extravagant and pedantic, but in a letter to Celio Curione he manifested a great excitement for the Gospel. Did I capture who he was? Who knows? The tailor and his wife are a product of my imagination.<br />One note about clothes. Oddly, in Olympia's letter there is a recurrent interest in clothes. When she had to leave the ducal court, she was particularly upset that she was not allowed to take one of her dresses. In Germany, she describes a dress she received as a gift, even guessing its value. Even when she escaped the city, she took care to describe the ragged clothes she was wearing. I thought it was interesting, so clothes are mentioned here and there at key times in my book. You will find them here at the start and again at the close of the book. <br /><br />Photo1 - Statue of Olympia Morata at Schweinfurt, by www.waymarking.com<br />Photo2 - Portait of Olympia Morata, Wikipediasimonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-6362197501634476062011-12-03T13:50:00.006-08:002012-07-25T07:48:05.168-07:00New Book Blog Tour!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxVds7Bo6aikaVkMW7Z38XOyaYzmU0DszXDN7KRPhW_rcihcTHYANdz3h8jralWFBoNXEdwASHykxpvL3a9xL3wBKEiSHa9Sx6OZ1dUV32y9FfIJDkBTQG-jmwcF8-PGy7b890HhTjlWa/s1600/cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682045913877380210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxVds7Bo6aikaVkMW7Z38XOyaYzmU0DszXDN7KRPhW_rcihcTHYANdz3h8jralWFBoNXEdwASHykxpvL3a9xL3wBKEiSHa9Sx6OZ1dUV32y9FfIJDkBTQG-jmwcF8-PGy7b890HhTjlWa/s320/cover.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 204px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>Weight of a Flame </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>on blog tour</b></span><br />
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<b>December 2011 - January 2012</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>Olympia Morata, arguably the most prolific woman writer of the Reformation, struggles to use her talents for God's glory despite rejection, religious persecution, and the hardship of illness, poverty, and war.</div>
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YA Biographical Historical Fiction</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.prpbooks.com/Weight-of-a-Flame-The-Passion-of-Olympia-Morata-2160.html&session=728f6ce4d347d88c1e85cb606cab4756">here </a>for the publisher's description and read the first chapter and table of contents.</div>
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Tentative schedule.</div>
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<b>Tuesday, December 13</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://christinalangella.com/2011/12/13/an-interview-with-christian-biographer-and-author-simonetta-carr-plus-a-special-book-giveaway/">Heavenly Springs</a></b></div>
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Interview and giveaway</div>
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<b>Thursday, December 15</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/">The Children's Hour</a></b></div>
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Guest post</div>
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<b>Thursday, December 29</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.hankinsfamily.com/">The Hankins Family</a></b></div>
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Guest post</div>
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<b>Friday, January 13</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookmoms.org/2012/01/weight-of-flame-passion-of-olympia.html">Book Moms</a></b></div>
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Review and giveaway</div>
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<b>Tuesday, January 17</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://crossfocusedreviews.com/2012/01/weight-of-a-flame-the-passion-of-olympia-morata-chosen-daughters-series-by-simonetta-carr/">Cross Focused Reviews</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2012/01/17/weight-of-a-flame-the-passion-of-olympia-morata-chosen-daughters-series-by-simonetta-carr/"><b>Fundamentally Reformed</b></a></div>
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Review </div>
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<b>Wednesday, January 25 </b></div>
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<b><a href="http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/">Love to Paint</a></b></div>
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Review</div>
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<b>Monday, January 30</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://christinalangella.com/2012/01/30/book-review-weight-of-a-flame-the-passion-of-olympia-morata-by-simonetta-carr/">Heavenly Springs</a></b></div>
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Review </div>
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<b>Tuesday, January 31</b></div>
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<a href="http://mentoringmoments.org/"><b>Mentoring Moments</b></a></div>
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Guest post and giveaway</div>
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<b>Sunday, February 5</b></div>
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<a href="http://ladysown.blogspot.com/2012/02/weight-of-flame.html">Fish and Cans</a></div>
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Review</div>
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<b>Monday, February 13</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://christianbooknotes.com/">Christian Book Notes</a></b></div>
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Review</div>
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<b>Saturday, February 18</b></div>
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<a href="http://boekblog.tumblr.com/post/17823916118/simonetta-carr-weight-of-a-flame-the-passion-of"><b>Homiletica et cetera</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://reformedfamily.org/2012/02/review-weight-of-a-flame/"><b>Reformed Family</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://cruciality.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/introducing-young-readers-to-olympia-morata/"><b>Per Crucem ad Lucem</b></a></div>
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Reviews</div>
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<b>Monday, March 5</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.hankinsfamily.com/2012/03/book-review-weight-of-flame.html">The Hankins Family</a></b></div>
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Review Giveaway</div>
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<b>Wednesday, March 14</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.redeemedreader.com/2012/03/simonetta-carr-on-reformer-olympia-morata/">Redeemed Reader</a></b></div>
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Interview</div>
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<b>May</b> </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.reformation21.org/shelf-life/weight-of-a-flame-the-passion-of-olympia-morata.php">Reformation21 </a></b></div>
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Review</div>
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<b>Thursday, June 29</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2012/06/29/review-of-simonetta-cars-weight-of-a-flame/">White Horse Inn</a></b></div>
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Review</div>
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<b>LATER REVIEWS</b><br />
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<a href="http://weshallobtaindeliveringgrace.blogspot.com/2012/07/weight-of-flame-passion-of-olympia.html">Delivering Grace</a></div>
</div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-16545812757789799952011-11-19T09:57:00.001-08:002011-11-19T12:21:16.561-08:00Questions from Indonesia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECQ_MiNXe-YBPuybji5MmmtCTeLJfFhg-b9vIao8BiPMOBlCnqemMIUiIMXDlnayFhpxZnmntbsfVY5XZnK-mXnVqu1Fi5Fo1BSoLSE56aNLyEpMgssBa7TA1s83KtxlFc2MB8u0zpc-p/s1600/DSCF2635.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECQ_MiNXe-YBPuybji5MmmtCTeLJfFhg-b9vIao8BiPMOBlCnqemMIUiIMXDlnayFhpxZnmntbsfVY5XZnK-mXnVqu1Fi5Fo1BSoLSE56aNLyEpMgssBa7TA1s83KtxlFc2MB8u0zpc-p/s320/DSCF2635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676795501403057906" /></a><br />Here are some questions I was asked during my seminars and talks in Indonesia. The title of the seminar was "Why Is It Important to Teach Theology to Children?" In some seminars, the word "theology" was rephrased as "doctrine."<div><br /></div><div><i>Question - How can we teach doctrine to children if we don't obey the doctrine ourselves?</i></div><div>This question was asked at least three times (with different wording) during the different meetings. It seems that some had identified "doctrine" with rules and regulations. Since, from the start, I had used the catechisms (Heidelberg and Westminster) as main references for teaching doctrine, I explained how the Heidelberg catechism is divided into Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude, and Christian doctrine includes all three sections. The rules and regulations (do's and dont's) are part of the last section. We obey God out of gratitude for his grace, bestowed on us in spite of our guilt. The catechism also explains how we are all - parents and teachers - struggling against our sinful nature but are preserved by God through his Spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>This actually opened the door to more questions. When I gave the example of my son driving my car when he was four and watering my bed with a hose when he was three, and I explained how he was irresistibly drawn to all things forbidden, everyone's interest perked up. I actually brought up this story to explain how the Reformed faith changed my view of education. Before, I wanted perfect kids so I could look like a good Christian. Now, I know that my children and I are both sinners in God's eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next question after that was,<i> How did you deal with him? </i>I replied that recognizing the grip that sin had on this little guy gave me compassion for him. I punished him, of course, but I also talked to him heart-to-heart. We read Romans 7. I explained how I have similar struggles, but through Christ we also have the power to fight.</div><div><br /></div><div>This led to more and more questions. Later, I was told that in Asia parents never confess their sins to their children (or in front of their children). They are supposed to provide a perfect sample and to expect perfect obedience. In further talks, I made clear that I also expect respect from my children, and that the distinction parent/child is very clear in our home. At the same time, in God's eyes we are equally sinners and fellow pilgrims in this valley of tears.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Question - Isn't doctrine too abstract for children?</i></div><div>This question also was rephrased in other ways. Isn't doctrine too dry, too difficult to grasp, not exciting? In this case, I referred to Michael Horton's explanation of the Story (or Drama) behind the doctrine. Doctrine is abstract and dry if it's not based on the Drama - the Story of God redeeming a people for Himself through Jesus Christ. We should always remember the story while we teach the catechism, and we may also remember the catechism as we teach the story. Drama and doctrine are tied together. <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); line-height: 15px; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 232); "></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Question - How can we make doctrine exciting for our children?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">This question is tied to the previous one, but many have asked this separately. Obviously, first we need to be excited ourselves. We need to always remember the drama behind it. </span>As Dorothy Sayers said,<span class="Apple-style-span"> "The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man." We need to capture this excitement and pass it on to our children. Then the need to study doctrine, or theology, will be compelling. When we realize the wonder of the Gospel, this message of good news that is delivered outside of us and that is so foreign to our sinful nature, we want to know more just like a child who sees a rainbow wants to know how it's made.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Children are curious by nature. They usually have many questions about God but they don't always ask. The catechism helps to put some of those questions into words. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We all know that teaching doctrine CAN be dry. Some of us have experienced boring teachers or have at least seen them in movies (caricatures of this kind abound). While memorization is important, we don't want to limit our teaching to rote memorization. The questions help to engage the children. Think of the first question in the small catechism for younger children. "Who made you? God." It opens up a whole world of discussions between parent and child. The following questions then flow easily - What else did God make, and why? We can join our children in the excitement of discovery of what God has revealed, and in the sense of awe and mystery about what God has not yet revealed. </span></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-76560533463892874502011-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:002011-11-16T18:51:28.760-08:00Practical Tips for Teaching the Catechism(This is an article I wrote for the Outlook. It was published in the March-April 2011 issue. Since my lectures and discussions in Indonesia centered on the importance of teaching the catechism to our children, I am reprinting it here with permission from the editors of Outlook Magazine.)<div>See <a href="http://www.reformedfellowship.net/">http://www.reformedfellowship.net/</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">On the first Sunday this year, I opened with interest a small insert in our church bulletin. It was a plan for a full year of family worship. I was excited. My many years of homeschooling have left me with an instinctive appreciation of pre-made plans. I studied it carefully. On one side of the page there was a list of Bible passages, with the goal of reading through the whole New Testament in a year. On the other side, a list of catechism questions to memorize. <span class="apple-tab-span"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">It didn’t look intimidating. The first few months are going to be especially easy. We know these questions already. As I turned the small pages, however, I realized that there will be new questions soon and, at that point, we will need a stronger commitment... and I was actually quite content to go without new resolutions this year!</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">I have lived through enough new year resolutions to know what a lasting commitment requires: a strong motivation, good planning, and lots of patience.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">Motivation </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>I became absolutely convinced of the importance of catechisms several years back, during a casual conversation with a relative on the importance of reading the Bible. I was in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) at that time, still fairly new to the Reformed faith, and was helping my children to memorize the Shorter Westminster Catechism.</span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">In the course of our discussion, this relative asked me a familiar question, “What does the Bible teach?” Years earlier, I would have been fumbling for an answer. I might have given a generic reply, “It teaches about God,” most probably reinforcing his belief that he had already grasped that message. This time, instead, the answer came effortlessly, “It teaches w</span><span lang="EN-US">hat man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.” (cfr. <st1:stockticker st="on">SWC</st1:stockticker>, Q3)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">His interest perked up. “What duty does He require?”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">“Obedience to His revealed will, the moral law, which is summed up in the Ten Commandments.” (cfr. <st1:stockticker st="on">SWC</st1:stockticker>, Q39-41)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">As the conversation continued, covering man’s inability to perfectly keep the commandments and the answer to that problem, I realized that most of his questions were in the catechism, and I had answers - not only ready, but written and revised with amazing precision and care by godly men of old. Besides, these answers kept our conversation focused on relevant issues rather than generalities. More than ever, I wanted to pass on such an effective tool to my children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> Most of us are familiar with Dorothy Sayer's 1973 essay on "The Lost Tools of Learning," which decries the loss of clear answers and definitions in progressive education while advocating a return to the medieval <i>trivium </i>(grammar, dialectic, and logic). I see this loss quite frequently as an Italian instructor. While older students are a little rusty in their study and memorization habits, they have a tremendous advantage because they have studied grammar with its proper definitions. They can easily understand why the word <i>molto</i>, which means both “much” and “very”, changes its ending when it refers to nouns but is invariable when it refers to adjectives or adverbs. Their minds immediately relate to adjectives as modifiers of nouns and adverbs as modifiers of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. When I talk in these terms they nod, while my younger students look absolutely puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">I found the same need for definitions in my Sunday School class. A few years ago, when teaching 1st-3rd graders, I realized that in order to facilitate our communication and impress specific notions, I just had to use words like justification and sanctification, and the catechisms provided clear definitions. There was no way around them, just as a school teacher needs to explain to the class the definitions of "polygon", "triangle", and "equilateral", so that they can talk about an equilateral triangle without having to repeat each time that they are referring to “a flat shape with three straight lines, all of the same size.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> With the help of the catechisms, children can understand theological definitions quite simply. It is also reassuring to a parent or teacher to know that, when talking about realities like faith or providence, they and their children can have a common understanding of their meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> Katharine Olinger, a baptized member of Calvary OPC, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Glenside</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">PA</st1:state></st1:place> and an 8th grade student at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Phil-Mont</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Christian</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Academy</st1:placename></st1:place>, shares a similar experience. "</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">Catechism has indeed helped me in my life," she said, "especially my curricular one. As I attend a Christian school, I've found that during our Bible classes I'm always a step ahead of my peers and I can even impress my teachers with the catechism's well structured responses. In my spiritual life I more often refer to the Bible than the catechism, but I do particularly rely on the first question in the shorter catechism. It's comforting to have such a big question (what our purpose is) answered in black and white." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">Marti Calderaro, a 16-year old baptized member of Chiesa Evangelica Riformata Filadelfia in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Milan</st1:place></st1:city>, a URCNA plant in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Milan</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>, agrees that the catechism is a great source of comfort. “It has helped me and my sister Erika to face not only difficult times in our lives, but also those our church is experiencing right now with the terminal illness of Elder Giuseppe Ferrari. It gives us comfort and helps us to share this comfort with our sister Ivana [Giuseppe’s wife].” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Marti began studying the Heidelberg Catechism about a year ago. She had never learned a catechism before, but didn't find it difficult. "It has been fairly easy, because our pastor, Andrea Ferrari, explains it very well."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Besides, learning the catechism as a family has other advantages. “It has set up an environment where theological questions come up naturally as we cover the various questions and answers,” said <span style="color:#555555">Roy Lopez, elder at Christ URC in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Santee</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>. “I</span>t has also deepened our love for God as we see all that He has done for us week by week. I believe it unifies us as a family, making us more of one mind (as it does for the church).<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span lang="EN-US">A Plan and a Method<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>We all know how quickly new resolutions become discarded when we don’t plan how to include them into our lives. That’s why the insert I found in our church bulletin is so helpful. The portions are well marked and within reach - a long catechism question or a few short ones every month. It's a very simple plan, and some families may choose to go beyond it.<span class="Apple-style-span" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">While churches using the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Westminster</st1:place></st1:city> standards normally expect their children to memorize the Shorter Catechism in its entirety, it’s rare to find children who have memorized the entire Heidelberg Catechism, because of its length. Roy Lopez, however, has decided to challenge this trend. Last year, he has embarked on a three-year plan for memorizing the whole Heidelberg Catechism with his family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> “A</span><span lang="EN-US">t the end of every year I try to plan what the family will do next in our devotions,” he explained, “something that can be done in one year. Several years ago we memorized Colossians which broke down into roughly two verses a week. It was great because we had the context and the rhythm of the whole passage. The Catechism seemed too long to memorize in a year (comfortably). So I went through all the questions and answers and broke them down into what I figured we could memorize per week. Sometimes it will be one or two per week and sometimes it will take two weeks to complete a long one. We mainly practice at night at the beginning of family worship but sometimes we practice in the car while we travel."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city> has found that sharing the motivation with his family and coming to an united decision is very important before embarking on a long-term commitment. "I brought it up to the family and asked them what they thought about it. Everyone except Mikaela, our youngest, was enthusiastic about it. Mikaela, who is twelve, said that she didn't think she could do it. So, wanting it to be a free choice for everyone, I told her that we would be studying it and that she should just do the best that she can (no pressure). I didn't want it to become an empty ritual. Much to my surprise, she ended up being the one who was the most disciplined and is usually the one first to have the questions memorized. It started as a decision, then a discipline and it is now our habit."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Just the fact of memorizing together day by day, week after week, brings results. Some parents, however, have come up with creative ways to "spice-up" catechism memorization. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">Last Spring, I used it as penmanship practice,” explained Donna Link, a homeschooling mother of ten from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tacoma</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">WA</st1:state></st1:place>, “by having the kids copy the questions and answers in a composition book.” Some have used the most comforting questions and answers as calligraphy practice, crafting beautiful gifts for their friends. Others use motions or put it into songs for the little ones. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Margaret Laning, a homeschooling mother of eight from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Hull</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Iowa</st1:state></st1:place>, has a simple, well-known formula for success: "The main thing I found that works best is repetition, repetition, repetition, starting early in the week to get into the long-term memory work." She is, however, aware of her children's learning styles and tries to adapt her methods to make memorization easy for all. "Some are visual learners," she said. "For them, we have played a sort of 'erase the word' game on the computer. At first, we have the whole answer or verse typed out, and then gradually take a word away while they say the missing word. Eventually all the words are gone and they say the whole thing themselves." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> "Some are more auditory learners," she continued. "I have a friend who had her kids record themselves saying the questions and answers on a tape or CD-recorder and then listen to it over and over. Doing both is great. Some other kids are kinesthetic/tactile learners. They seem to enjoy working with index cards. I have also heard of some cutting out footprints and writing parts of the lesson or verse on each foot, and taping it to the floor. The next part of the verse or lesson is on the foot ahead, and then another foot ahead of that. So, they read out loud the lesson as they jump from foot to foot. I have never tried that, but some younger children may really enjoy it."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> There is a large variety of activities and games that can be used in catechism memorization. Often, it's possible to modify an activity or a game suggested for academic learning or for Bible memorization. My children and my Sunday School students have a few favorites. Once they mastered a catechism answer, for example, I asked them to say one word each, going around in circle. When one makes a mistake, he or she is out. This works well in large groups. Parents and teachers, of course, participate in the game, and they are often out sooner than the children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> A variation of this, still in large Sunday School classes, is dividing the class into two groups, and dividing the white board so that each group can go up and write one word of the catechism answer at a time. It's like a catechism relay race. To win, a team has to get the whole answer right, not just finish first.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Ideas to motivate and inspire the children are countless. Of course, there is always "candychism" (a word apparently coined some years ago by Rev. Leonard Coppes to describe the practice of rewarding children with candy for memorizing catechism answers). "</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">I am not a big fan of 'candychism,'" <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city> said. "I am not opposed to others doing it. It is just not something I would do. I guess it has a place with very small children. My philosophy is that I will pay my kids when they go above and beyond their chores around the house, not for spiritual things."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Katharine, on the other hand, loves the idea. "</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">I wish my parents used candychism! They had the same kind of thought, only instead of little things for each question, they gave a big privilege for saying the whole Shorter Catechism in front of the session. For example, when I finished, I was permitted to get my ears pierced - something I had been wanting for quite a while."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333"> The goal, however, is not only to motivate the children to memorize but also to help them to understand what they are saying, and that can be done, in small ways, even with younger children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333"> Being a logical thinker, I have usually tried to break down the catechism answers for the children, memorizing one section at a time, and sometimes drawing diagrams on the board to emphasize the organization and progression of thought. For example, in HC21, the first two sentences describe one part of faith, the next two another part, and the last sentence shows three things we believe God has given us, and three ways in which He has given them (freely, merely of grace, and only for the sake of Christ's merits). I have found this useful with the long paragraphs typical of Puritan writers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333"> To help the children to understand the meaning of difficult words, I have tried to use them repeatedly during the same lesson (or the same day, if we are at home). For example, since most children don't know the meaning of "merely," I explained that it means "only," and then used it often in my common interaction with the children, by saying, for example, "we have merely five minutes left."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> "I try to relate each question to something that was said in a sermon or something that has happened to us recently or to the children in school," said <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city>. "I definitely try to explain the importance of a proper understanding of each doctrine and any heresies that are opposed to that teaching."</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span lang="EN-US">Catechism vs. Scripture Memorization<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">The most common objection I have heard to teaching the catechism to young children is the obvious need to give a strong foundation of Scriptural knowledge. The concern is quite founded. Some Reformed children today are well versed in the catechisms and basic theology but are unfamiliar with biblical narrative and find it difficult to find passages in the Bible. What we often forget, however, is that the catechisms were never meant to be a substitute for Scriptures. On the contrary, they were to be used</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> in synergy with a thorough study of the Bible, the preached Word, and pastoral instructions. In particular, the Puritans who wrote the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity were steeped in Bible knowledge, which permeated every facet of their lives, and they expected other Christians to be likewise.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> For most of us who are far from the Puritans' devotions, striking a balance between catechism and Scripture memorization can be difficult, but it is again a matter of planning, including both in our family worship or Sunday School curriculum. In this respect, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city> has found Starr Meade's devotional book, <i>Training Hearts, Teaching Minds</i>, very useful, with verses to look up daily. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">Memorizing the catechism is a great way to learn the doctrines of Scripture: it teaches theology in a very succinct way,” said Donna Link, a home-schooling mother of ten from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tacoma</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">WA</st1:state></st1:place>. “Memorizing Scripture is also excellent and memorizing the catechism along with it gives a fuller understanding of what the different passages of Scripture are talking about.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">Used in synergy with the Bible, the catechism becomes all the more valuable. We can memorize Matthew 10:29-31 and Luke 21:18 and find comfort in the promise that every hair of our head is counted, or Romans 8:28 and know that all things work together for our good, but when we see those verses in the context of HC1, and are reminded that those same promises are given to us because we belong to Christ, in virtue of His sacrifice and in conjunction with the great benefits of forgiveness of our sins and deliverance from all the power of the devil, those words become much weightier and firmer in our minds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555">This school-year, I have been teaching the trials, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ to my 4th-6th grade Sunday School group, using the Heidelberg Catechism alongside each lesson, as an aid both to emphasize the overall importance and meaning of the Bible account and to notice the significance of often neglected details, such as the mention of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles Creed and the relevance of the cross as instrument of death.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span lang="EN-US">Patience</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>One of the most comforting thoughts I have learned as a parent in a Reformed Church is that we are just to do what we are commanded and let the Holy Spirit work in our children’s lives. We take our children to public worship every Sunday, let them hear the preached Word, and prepare them to receive the Lord’s Supper. At home, we have times of family worship and learn the catechism together. It sounds reassuringly simple. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-tab-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#555555"> Whatever our plan may be for memorizing the catechism as a family, whether we set a very approachable goal of one or two questions and answers per month, to allow for the unexpected and to give more time to review, or we take up the challenge of memorizing it all, small steps are easier to maintain at a regular pace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> "W</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">e memorize a different line pretty much every day and by Saturday or Sunday we recite the whole thing together," explained <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city>. "On Monday, we move on to the new question. I don't put pressure on us to go back and remember all the previous questions. I am happy if we can recite the answer at the end of the week and don't want to overburden my family by making too much of it. Some weeks are better than others, but we do the best we can."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333"> With these affordable steps, Kristen Lopez, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city>'s 13-year old daughter, has learned to </span><span lang="EN-US">enjoy memorizing the catechism. "At times it is hard because of different schedules and late nights," she said, "but it is always easy to catch up on Sunday." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city> knows that it's important not to miss a week. "We may fall behind a few days but then I try to make sure we practice it more to be caught up by week's end. If we ever had to skip a week, I would continue with the program and just try to learn that portion later on. Of course, the memory work is much easier for the children than it is for Faith and me."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> Faith Lopez, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city>'s wife, agrees. "</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#333333">My motivation are my kids. They are so good at keeping up with their reading and memorization, it puts me to shame. It is very difficult for me and I struggle to find more time in my busy schedule and more space in my head for new information. I've had to make it a priority. It's just something that we do, part of our day. Besides, so many times God has used our memory work to encourage me. I would find myself in a particular struggle, and some words that I had memorized that week have come to my mind, helping me to reflect upon His love, grace and mercy towards me in my time of weakness."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US"> By now, the Lopez family has discovered that their persistence had paid off. "What started as a decision has become a discipline and is now our habit," <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Roy</st1:place></st1:city> said. Of course, there are still obstacles. From time to time, the motivation and discipline need to be rekindled. "Sometimes it feels like no one is motivated to do it, or we get especially busy, or the schedule is off for some reason, but that is where the discipline comes in. We continue to do it because we have set a goal and I have tasked myself with the responsibility to see that we get there."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-51412321908381194032011-11-16T09:17:00.001-08:002011-11-16T10:03:04.389-08:00Back from Indonesia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ_KNpSEsqRpqqYipRJdIvtXFI7R8ciNDX2gzy5AYFz-Ze0hsjdFIbe6G5cqBrALZrp4b9GYakzwy3aJPH4x2XgWXDr4S46QOKDN3HB3KzuMT8NRCte5Asc6zfYO-s2SPzmeMQqmyMvrE/s1600/DSC03166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ_KNpSEsqRpqqYipRJdIvtXFI7R8ciNDX2gzy5AYFz-Ze0hsjdFIbe6G5cqBrALZrp4b9GYakzwy3aJPH4x2XgWXDr4S46QOKDN3HB3KzuMT8NRCte5Asc6zfYO-s2SPzmeMQqmyMvrE/s320/DSC03166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675647215487795778" /></a>"Indonesia? What in the world were you doing there?" sometimes people ask. It all started in 2009, when I was searching the web for conferences on John Calvin so I could introduce my new book for children. It was then that I discovered a conference in Indonesia. I had been there, thirty years ago, and a piece of my heart was still in those islands. I sent Rev. Sutjipto Subeno, pastor and overseer of an international school and a publishing house, a copy of my book in English and he loved it! Soon after, it was in Indonesia and they committed themselves to publish the rest of my series. It was really the only foreign publisher to do so. My first two books have been published in Italian, but then they stopped because apparently they were not selling well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeaSSp-4y-66-YzUnDGnq9V-zMqHwZB0OkDSq5DgkXn7-HDZVLhQpZTrmeCoZ2wfxaDTQY-yuq49KClaWbyfvUniEjQZEy5NMFBqmOMO4EDxwJoHhc0Zbz3xy-hjjy4MUJghJXyIS9Tsd/s1600/DSC03119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeaSSp-4y-66-YzUnDGnq9V-zMqHwZB0OkDSq5DgkXn7-HDZVLhQpZTrmeCoZ2wfxaDTQY-yuq49KClaWbyfvUniEjQZEy5NMFBqmOMO4EDxwJoHhc0Zbz3xy-hjjy4MUJghJXyIS9Tsd/s320/DSC03119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675646777592580818" /></a>In 2010, Rev. Sutjipto came to San Diego. It was a short-notice visit. He called me from LA the day before and I was only able to pick him up at the train station, take him to Santee, have breakfast at Starbucks and lunch with my husband, visit my church, pick up my kids from school, and take him back to the station. I felt like a very poor host.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKX9KkBdq_ftYSNs-es3oMHmHg_QfG2EST3j763iO49lxY4E-VWcSdJyHaYTPsbrNxOTXwu82gWGURWecuhu_SQYnRROUEcU5wqkltM8XEf5t4Puwy_PMta-6BtYx3Z1nlOzaLcuUOliw/s1600/222.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKX9KkBdq_ftYSNs-es3oMHmHg_QfG2EST3j763iO49lxY4E-VWcSdJyHaYTPsbrNxOTXwu82gWGURWecuhu_SQYnRROUEcU5wqkltM8XEf5t4Puwy_PMta-6BtYx3Z1nlOzaLcuUOliw/s320/222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675645441181062978" /></a>My mother died in May this year. She died before I could go and see her so I canceled my trip to Italy. My emotions were pretty haywire at the time, and it was then that Rev. Sutjipto invited me to Indonesia, offering to pay almost all my expenses. I didn't think very hard. I emailed my husband who was at work, asking if I could go, and when he said yes I started to work on the tickets.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0VS0KEygSU4RJ3TgkGJ-R7qTcOyXDt-Ud8kXqBE-N26x1bb3tF8CO-bz02-RBciZgzC_60p3QytnawkXekdRIR72ZETTyyEESkS3lVqy23uQDgHXXpPFhNzXYKH4aOuzAukf4I1sPMQT/s1600/059.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0VS0KEygSU4RJ3TgkGJ-R7qTcOyXDt-Ud8kXqBE-N26x1bb3tF8CO-bz02-RBciZgzC_60p3QytnawkXekdRIR72ZETTyyEESkS3lVqy23uQDgHXXpPFhNzXYKH4aOuzAukf4I1sPMQT/s320/059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675645223579185490" /></a>For a man, an invitation to speak at conferences and meetings might seem like work, but for a woman, it means no cooking, no cleaning, and no driving for two weeks! I was definitely excited. Soon, however, I realized that my schedule included talks in seminars, and the topic was "How to Teach Theology to Children." When I told my sixteen-year old son, his response was less than encouraging, "I didn't know you were an expert on that!"<div>My host told me to talk as a mother, and as a mother I shared how a sound theological education has benefited my children. I told them of my journey from evangelical churches where the children were in Sunday School instead of participating to the service, with very limited instruction, to a Reformed church where they were included in worship and were taught the catechism from a very young age.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44-4h2q6RelP2nANhW-H_hGVeVxD2casazuGscnyhaRASnvzGyixolXrGaHD2NIb8BsqOY_evyXCp5TDMcAKU7xFDKLZ60KvW2wFLAZbgjH7LDsX9yk69AcYz_5l8bCWOzRt6HF3Hi0XB/s1600/114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44-4h2q6RelP2nANhW-H_hGVeVxD2casazuGscnyhaRASnvzGyixolXrGaHD2NIb8BsqOY_evyXCp5TDMcAKU7xFDKLZ60KvW2wFLAZbgjH7LDsX9yk69AcYz_5l8bCWOzRt6HF3Hi0XB/s320/114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675645038549512514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHevKqoyL8EdhltA3L4k1dZqeFQ79j-YMgL98A4lao9mWgh7Sv4jGJJQ7-f49NEkLwf0ybbyz2GZh_LbDVzQKNWQ6-9mhtiDUIjOMHtsVFTxUArESV5j-nBRPIrErCbfW_kAF8yYFQh6Ta/s1600/002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHevKqoyL8EdhltA3L4k1dZqeFQ79j-YMgL98A4lao9mWgh7Sv4jGJJQ7-f49NEkLwf0ybbyz2GZh_LbDVzQKNWQ6-9mhtiDUIjOMHtsVFTxUArESV5j-nBRPIrErCbfW_kAF8yYFQh6Ta/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675644813993286098" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I told them of my apprehensions when I first took my children to a Reformed church, wondering how they would adjust. But it was my son Jonathan, then about five years old, who told me that he actually liked the new church better, as he felt he was finally learning something! "In the old church, we just learn the same stories over and over," he said. It was Noah and the animals going into the ark, with an emphasis on the animals, and Joseph with the coat of many colors, with an emphasis on the colors. He was ready for more.</div><div>I have written on the benefits of teaching catechism in other articles, which I am hoping to post here. Overall, I think Indonesian parents were encouraged to see that the catechisms were originally written for children and can and should be taught to children.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-_nFr72PUMIwXj7o0KDSFK2-c2rU9yHdH-VhsCTSnMq1H6mY_WELDeiSEnmApnpIBTtw1U4YbVQxZFfctNSshv6Yfe3d6_hpHI951HDsOz9I2UWRojOA-1o0z5k-hyuy83kiJdWAF58y/s1600/282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-_nFr72PUMIwXj7o0KDSFK2-c2rU9yHdH-VhsCTSnMq1H6mY_WELDeiSEnmApnpIBTtw1U4YbVQxZFfctNSshv6Yfe3d6_hpHI951HDsOz9I2UWRojOA-1o0z5k-hyuy83kiJdWAF58y/s320/282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675644698682998034" /></a></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-35646966616395737612011-10-04T09:50:00.001-07:002011-10-04T13:34:45.478-07:00Athanasius Through Children's Eyes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnFGx4EPe_0EBqZn_w-TRt4gi8vfKbCOtgLum4RZW6zg9eJu7n6sdBtwYNvjssMzRBFFEV4ULUFPRlQ6go2IdaVJGaE4GzZillFIsjDnQEvvJ06ZxtrmVVW3LgRvMc3g6oROnCS84KMPr/s1600/Athanasius2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnFGx4EPe_0EBqZn_w-TRt4gi8vfKbCOtgLum4RZW6zg9eJu7n6sdBtwYNvjssMzRBFFEV4ULUFPRlQ6go2IdaVJGaE4GzZillFIsjDnQEvvJ06ZxtrmVVW3LgRvMc3g6oROnCS84KMPr/s320/Athanasius2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659684569344126114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-Ac276ZXm9t5T-R3Qr-xd7Tfdjo4c3kiUBytqWSaBBLaeHjUXVWId-0R7CNZsOqyoKNsDQ6ZsINqDMTjSLxsZYJAZBejwSWWIOf8egozYKRgBa4858C8iAE9Bqqy4ZPL-5R1M3q6MPGI/s1600/Athanasius3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-Ac276ZXm9t5T-R3Qr-xd7Tfdjo4c3kiUBytqWSaBBLaeHjUXVWId-0R7CNZsOqyoKNsDQ6ZsINqDMTjSLxsZYJAZBejwSWWIOf8egozYKRgBa4858C8iAE9Bqqy4ZPL-5R1M3q6MPGI/s320/Athanasius3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659684335248288338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1NhiayxcLM6j8txihTVTU6iAr-_DV_FG6UpD5EDK4r7K2pplWTM73W1mAEkO7SLCzLkExuzJ9QBiUhgke97lZLyoo98GznptfhW3QnPbIml2ifgfNu_xocdppjj7FNgqX7ZRNUMurM_J/s1600/Athanasius.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1NhiayxcLM6j8txihTVTU6iAr-_DV_FG6UpD5EDK4r7K2pplWTM73W1mAEkO7SLCzLkExuzJ9QBiUhgke97lZLyoo98GznptfhW3QnPbIml2ifgfNu_xocdppjj7FNgqX7ZRNUMurM_J/s320/Athanasius.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659684187532541826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBUDL-FS4DSx-37mHDRCj_DJm1xL-bPa8Lxs4uYtqsTvAOwOQkOMsXxae-0EAqxG_l4sHpe9vb-ZvhW_yeZBbE2NWMu62DYH8WP8_Ynzwt3RvX34Nuy7DIuC_Igk7ysNeZ62meeb3dPPc/s1600/Emmet%2527s+letter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBUDL-FS4DSx-37mHDRCj_DJm1xL-bPa8Lxs4uYtqsTvAOwOQkOMsXxae-0EAqxG_l4sHpe9vb-ZvhW_yeZBbE2NWMu62DYH8WP8_Ynzwt3RvX34Nuy7DIuC_Igk7ysNeZ62meeb3dPPc/s320/Emmet%2527s+letter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659682681446626594" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgEA1t6_GYgV8o6Eq0gcRdH5n-xQzsdqAmgNGdeY99UKMgkRX0lndsDPjHRlQWzC_NzEsZXMeOq0SeG0AA92P3iNb2myT7ST6XMwMbf7MIpBzLcMe2X2iBuDY7yYeutaa6OrCJuUULq1t/s1600/Athanasius4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgEA1t6_GYgV8o6Eq0gcRdH5n-xQzsdqAmgNGdeY99UKMgkRX0lndsDPjHRlQWzC_NzEsZXMeOq0SeG0AA92P3iNb2myT7ST6XMwMbf7MIpBzLcMe2X2iBuDY7yYeutaa6OrCJuUULq1t/s320/Athanasius4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659681560366163090" /></a>The <b>winning entries</b> in the <a href="http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/09/free-gift.php">contest</a> issued by Carl Trueman on Reformation 21. Someone is certainly teaching these children well, and they can definitely articulate their thoughts very clearly! Maybe they should be my advisers as I write future titles...<div><br /></div><div>The first picture, with the interesting diagram, is done by <b>Lydia Joy Aloisi</b>, age 9, and the second one, with a very happy Athanasius, by her brother <b>Micah Aloisi</b>. The third one and the letter underneath were done by the same author/artist. The names of some children have been omitted to protect theirprivacy. They will only be added at the parents' requests.</div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-19027774217187926642011-09-29T10:54:00.000-07:002011-11-24T12:05:00.823-08:00BOOK BLOG TOUR Wrap<div><br /><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Athanasius</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, by Simonetta Carr</span></div><div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4th title in the series of Christian Biographies for Young Readers</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The blog tour is nearing its end. Here you can read all the reviews. Thank you again, everyone who has taken the time to read and review! If anyone else is interested in writing a review or hosting a giveaway, let me know. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Wednesday, September 14 </b> </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Moms </span><a href="http://www.bookmoms.org/2011/09/athanasius-man-who-stood-for-truth-by.html">http://www.bookmoms.org/2011/09/athanasius-man-who-stood-for-truth-by.html</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Review</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Giveaway (closed)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Friday, September 16</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christian Book Notes </span><a href="http://christianbooknotes.com/2011/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr/">http://christianbooknotes.com/2011/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr/</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Review<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tuesday, September 20<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Reformed Reader </span><a href="http://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/athanasius-christian-biographies-for-young-readers/">http://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/athanasius-christian-biographies-for-young-readers/</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Review</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Giveaway (closed)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thursday, September 22</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Children’s Hour </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/">http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/</a></span></span><br />Review<br />Giveaway (closed)</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Saturday, September 24</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Pilgrim Theology </span><a href="http://brendenlink.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/athanasius-book-give-away/">http://brendenlink.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/athanasius-book-give-away/</a><br />Review<br />Giveawat (closed)</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Monday, September 26</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Love to Paint </span><a href="http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/2011/09/theology-lessons-for-children.html">http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/2011/09/theology-lessons-for-children.html</a><br />Review<br /><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><b>Wednesday, September 28</b></div><div style="background-color: transparent;">Redeemed Reader <a href="http://www.redeemedreader.com/2011/09/author-interview-simonetta-carr-on-athanasius/">http://www.redeemedreader.com/2011/09/author-interview-simonetta-carr-on-athanasius/</a><br />Review and interview<br />Giveaway (Closed)</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thursday, September 29</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Hankins Family </span></span></span><a href="http://www.hankinsfamily.com/2011/09/book-review-and-giveaway-athanasius.html">http://www.hankinsfamily.com/2011/09/book-review-and-giveaway-athanasius.html</a><br />Review<br />Giveaway (closed)</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;">Reformation21 <a href="http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/09/free-gift.php">http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/09/free-gift.php</a><br />Giveaway (CLOSED)</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><b>Friday, October 14</b></div><div style="background-color: transparent;">Homiletica et cetera <a href="http://boekblog.tumblr.com/post/11457989115/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr">http://boekblog.tumblr.com/post/11457989115/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr</a></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><b>November 4</b></div><div style="background-color: transparent;">Cross Focused Reviews <a href="http://crossfocusedreviews.com/2011/11/athanasius-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-by-simonetta-carr/">http://crossfocusedreviews.com/2011/11/athanasius-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-by-simonetta-carr/</a></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>November 9</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Emeth Aleteia </span><a href="http://joefl.wordpress.com/">http://joefl.wordpress.com/</a></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Review and giveaway (closed)</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thursday, November 24</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tim Challies - <a href="http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/30-minute-reviews-5?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+challies%2FXhEt+%28Challies+Dot+Com%29">http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/30-minute-reviews-5?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+challies%2FXhEt+%28Challies+Dot+Com%29</a></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;">Short review</div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Other</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="white-space: normal; background-color: transparent; "><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Per Crucem Ad Lucem </span></span><a href="http://cruciality.wordpress.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">http://cruciality.wordpress.com/</span></a></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: transparent;"></div></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-49565104875837050902011-09-28T08:04:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:03:13.337-07:00Errata CorrigeSince one of the qualities most people praise in my books is their historical accuracy, I want to point out a couple of mistakes that, in spite of my best efforts, made it into this series. They will be corrected in our next edition, but in the meantime, you should be aware of them as you teach your children.<div>1. Calvin, first edition, page 6. The map in the first edition was not totally accurate because the line marking the Papal States was drawn too high. This has been corrected in the newer version.</div><div>2. Augustine, page 7. When Augustine was born, Milan - not Rome - was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.</div><div>3. Athanasius, pages 4 and 29. Nicea has been marked too far from Constantinople.</div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-23697422400962770442011-08-22T14:58:00.000-07:002011-08-22T16:45:03.572-07:00Looking Back - and Forward<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The idea for my series of Christian Biographies for Young Readers came a few years ago, in 2008, just before Calvin's 500th anniversary, when I was burdened by the lack of serious Christian biographies for children under 12 years of age. The books on the market (for that age bracket) were mostly hagiographies, historical fiction with an emphasis on fiction, and a few other oversimplified accounts. Not much (if any) on theologians, because most doctrine seemed to be out of children's reach. On the other hand, my children were reading biographies of presidents, world-changers, artists, and musicians, many of them quite sophisticated in contents. Meeting that need was my primary motive, and <i>John Calvin</i>, first volume in my series, was published. I tried to be simple without being simplistic and to add photos and illustrations to provide both a sense of reality and context and vehicles to excite the imagination.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Then came the second volume, <i>Augustine of Hippo</i>. This time simplicity became a greater challenge, as it's difficult to reduce Augustine's life and thought into a few pages. The third volume,<i> John Owen</i>, was a little simpler, because his life and thought were quite straight-forward. The greatest challenge so far has been the fourth volume, <i>Athanasius</i>, with all the complexity of 4th century controversies. The fifth volume, <i>Lady Jane Grey</i>, still underway, is not proving to be any easier.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">In between all this, I was asked to write a historical novel for young girls and I tried my hand at that too. I chose Olympia Morata because I am Italian and I believe the Italian Reformation has been largely ignored. Weight of a Flame, the Passion of Olympia Morata is now scheduled to be published next month. While this is historical fiction, it is based on thorough research. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">In all these books, I have been trying to be as objective as possible. If my first goal was simply to fill a need for informative accounts, my second goal was to avoid turning these books into hagiographies. Some people have commented that I portrayed Roman Catholic authorities very positively in my novel, and I took that as a compliment. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">It was also encouraging to see my book on John Owen nominated as finalist in the 2010 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1314023181_1" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; ">San Diego</span> Awards. The book is now in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1314023181_2" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; ">San Diego County Library and the San Diego Public Library (a separate entity) is considering it for inclusion in their catalog</span>. This has prompted a new line of thought in my mind. Why don't we have this type of books in public school libraries? Are my books objective enough to be included? Then I read an interesting quote by Dr. Diarmaid MacCullogh, professor of the History of the Church at Oxford and author of several books on the history of Christianity and on the Reformation. "It seems to me that the history of Christianity is absolutely essential to talk about because there is so much bad history about it, and arrogance, conceit, dogmatism are all based on bad history. [...] I hope to give other people a sense of balance by complicating the story because all stories are very complicated." </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I am now more convinced than ever that accurate books on the history of Christianity are a must for children in all types of schools. We all know how difficult it is to remain absolutely objective when writing history, but I think Dr. MacCullogh hit the nail on the head. Christian biographies (or other history books) for children as well as adults must communicate the natural complexity of history in simple words. Can it be done? Historically, this type of books has been oversimplified, but today's children are exposed to much more information and I believe they are ready to understand the idea of complexity. This has now become my third goal.</div></span>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-91392638030494138882011-08-18T17:37:00.000-07:002012-12-13T07:29:23.699-08:00Book Blog Tour<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Athanasius</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, by Simonetta Carr</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4th title in the series of Christian Biographies for Young Readers</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The book is scheduled to be published by the end of August. I am giving everyone time to receive it and read it, then the tour will start! Thank you everyone who agreed to host the tour!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Wednesday, September 14 </b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.bookmoms.org/2011/09/athanasius-man-who-stood-for-truth-by.html">Book Moms</a> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Friday, September 16</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://christianbooknotes.com/?s=athanasius">Christian Book Notes</a> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tuesday, September 20<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/athanasius-christian-biographies-for-young-readers/">The Reformed Reader</a> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thursday, September 22</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr.html">The Children’s Hour</a> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Saturday, September 24 </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://brendenlink.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/athanasius-book-give-away/">Pilgrim Theology</a> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Monday, September 26 </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/2011/09/theology-lessons-for-children.html">Love to Paint</a> </span></div>
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<b>Wednesday, September 28</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.redeemedreader.com/2011/09/author-interview-simonetta-carr-on-athanasius/">Redeemed Reader</a> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Thursday, September 29</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.hankinsfamily.com/2011/09/book-review-and-giveaway-athanasius.html">The Hankins Family</a> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday, September 29</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><a href="http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/09/free-gift.php">Reformation 21</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Saturday, October 1</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://boekblog.tumblr.com/post/11457989115/athanasius-by-simonetta-carr">Homiletica et cetera</a> </span></span><br /><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Wednesday, November 9</b></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://joefl.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/review-athanasius-by-simonetta-carr-%E2%80%93-christian-biographies-for-young-readers/">Emeth Aleteia</a> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Wednesday, December 7</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://cruciality.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/athanasius-a-book-competition/">Per Crucem Ad Lucem</a> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Monday, January 2 2012</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://yinkahdinay.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/book-review-athanasius/">Inkahdinay</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>September 2012</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/427626670">Goodreads</a></span></span></div>
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Most of these blogs will also host a giveaway, so stay tuned for a chance to get a free copy of the book!</div>
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simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-25945936160819100632011-08-10T07:39:00.001-07:002011-08-10T15:19:35.116-07:00Latest News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawZuPFDK1Hz-Kat1F-_U0rthHK1mBJw7qXZd8ZynJxIHPUArKgHEI6-1FbmJYAU3O1n2dSXaguekeIimfSZr7_E6s0iOjslpctq10PJHUdN8W8hLrazG13bsp5LkZqPFZpAYjeV-7jmV/s1600/Athanasius-3D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCawZuPFDK1Hz-Kat1F-_U0rthHK1mBJw7qXZd8ZynJxIHPUArKgHEI6-1FbmJYAU3O1n2dSXaguekeIimfSZr7_E6s0iOjslpctq10PJHUdN8W8hLrazG13bsp5LkZqPFZpAYjeV-7jmV/s320/Athanasius-3D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639355134461354834" /></a><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2XNQWn2OizvUisVpttot3zZqH3qrvP5IoKZpDt_ncS5WmlYb6yKY0YEKvBPlIeBfEKuPfPqZFP4zSkexrZ5J6X4gY0fHWZMDlgmoNoINosoMnzHHBzVDNFi7qevn0HZYOpuU0ZO6gIaa/s1600/cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2XNQWn2OizvUisVpttot3zZqH3qrvP5IoKZpDt_ncS5WmlYb6yKY0YEKvBPlIeBfEKuPfPqZFP4zSkexrZ5J6X4gY0fHWZMDlgmoNoINosoMnzHHBzVDNFi7qevn0HZYOpuU0ZO6gIaa/s400/cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639354791766210354" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2XNQWn2OizvUisVpttot3zZqH3qrvP5IoKZpDt_ncS5WmlYb6yKY0YEKvBPlIeBfEKuPfPqZFP4zSkexrZ5J6X4gY0fHWZMDlgmoNoINosoMnzHHBzVDNFi7qevn0HZYOpuU0ZO6gIaa/s1600/cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Since my website is down for a while, here are the latest news regarding my books.</span></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>1. <i>Athanasius</i>, fourth title in the series <i>Christian Biographies for Young Readers</i>, published by Reformation Heritage Books, will be out at the end of August. I am excited about this book! I think it will bring the Nicene Creed to life for children of all ages, raising relevant questions on the divinity of Christ and the importance of creeds and confessions. As in my last book, masterful oil illustrations keep the imagination alive while maps and photos confirm the historical facts. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/Athanasius.html" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/Athanasius.html</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">2. <i>Weight of a Flame, the Passion of Olympia Morata</i>, is my first historical novel (aimed mostly at young girls), and the fifth title in the series <i>Chosen Daughters</i> by P&R. It will be out on September 20th. In the story, Olympia Morata, a young Italian scholar (arguably the most prolific woman writer of the Reformation), learns to overcome the pain of rejection, religious persecution, exile, illness, poverty, and war by resting her hope on God's promises. Although her circumstances may be exceptional, her responses and feelings are universal, and young girls will easily identify with her. It's a true story - dramatic, but also poetic and inspiring.
<br /></span><a href="http://www.prpbooks.com/Weight-of-a-Flame-The-Passion-of-Olympia-Morata-2160.html&session=428b4d3cc0160d1392aedcb30968708a" target="_blank">http://www.prpbooks.com/Weight-of-a-Flame-The-Passion-of-Olympia-Morata-2160.html&session=428b4d3cc0160d1392aedcb30968708a</a>
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<br />3. <i><span lang="EN-US">Lady Jane Grey</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, fifth title in the series <i>Christian Biographies for Young Readers</i>, published by Reformation Heritage Books, is under way! Matt has just started sketching the illustrations and I will be taking photos of our models in the next few weeks. I am also in the process of re-checking my manuscript. Professor Eric Ives, Emeritus Professor of English History at the University of Birmingham and author of<i> Lady Jane Grey, a Tudor Mystery </i>(arguably the most authoritative book on the subject), has graciously agreed to check my final manuscript. Dr. Diarmaid MacCullough, Professor of History of the Church at the University of Oxford, has also kindly answered my questions on the intriguing time of English history when Lady Jane lived. I could never thank them enough!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>4. I am also working on a bite-sized biography of <i>Renée of France</i> for Evangelical Press. This is part of a series of books directed by Dr. Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The deadline for the manuscript is January 2012. Emanuele Fiume, expert on Church history and author of several books, has graciously agreed to write an introduction.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>5. Besides these projects (and my normal workload as mother), I am also hoping to continue my series of articles on parenting for the Outlook, and I am trying to finish a Study Guide for my book on John Owen.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>6. Upcoming interviews. An interview with White Horse Inn will be included in their September CD, which is sent out to their supporters. Another recent interview with the staff at Westminster Seminary of California bookstore will be posted on their website and other places on the web soon.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>7. Book talks. I am scheduling book talks for my upcoming book, <i>Weight of a Flame</i>. The first talk will be held at the Mission Valley Public Library in San Diego. I will update this post when I receive the exact date.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>8. Blog Book Tour. I am organizing a Blog Book Tour for my upcoming books. Details will be published soon.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US">9. Other Book Tours. I have been invited to speak about my books and about Christian books for children in general (and about the importance of teaching theology to children) in Indonesia! The tour will take me to Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. My gracious host is Rev. Sutjipto Subeno, pastor of Gereja Reformed Injili Church in Surabaya and head of Momentum Christian Books</span><a href="http://www.momentum.or.id/index.php/pages/2/en/"><span lang="EN-US">http://www.momentum.or.id/index.php/pages/2/en/</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. I will be leaving on October 23 and returning on November 8. The hero at this time will be my husband Tom who will be filling both his and my shoes!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span>I think this is all. On paper, it looks daunting. In reality, I am not doing much more than before. I am still driving my kids to practice, trying to come up with something original but not too strange for dinner, keeping the house somewhat decent, teaching Italian classes, and translating. Sunday is the highlight of my week, a day of refreshing in God's house, feeding on the means of grace.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-69190587278558080222011-06-16T21:33:00.000-07:002011-06-16T21:57:58.792-07:00The Bishop's Power - an Editing Issue<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>Originally, in my book on Athanasius, I had mentioned that bishops had more power than they do today. Since most of my young readers are probably not very familiar with the role of bishops, I had described them as "in charge of many churches." That created a problem. A Protestant child may think of a pastor, and what kind of "power" does a pastor hold? My editor, Annette Gysen, and I went back and forth with emails for a while discussing what power bishops held in those days (fourth century AD) and how to explain it to children.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I decided to ask Dr. Giorgio Corti, expert in patristic studies and author of the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Lucifero di Cagliari – una voce nel conflitto tra chiesa e impero alla metà del IV secolo, </i>and he replied by giving the following examples.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">1. The bishops' authority depended much on their strength as opposed to the emperor's strength. It was difficult for a bishop to oppose a strong emperor. Bishops like Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine, and Cyril were strong personalities.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">2. Bishops had a strong impact on their people because they lasted longer than emperors, who often died in battle, at the hand of traitors, etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">3. Bishops had a better knowledge of their cities than emperors, who lived far away.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">4. Bishops lent material help to their people. In <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308285160_2" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; ">Alexandria</span>, bishops granted food to about 1500 people. In <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308285160_3" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Milan</span>, Ambrose rescued the prisoners after the battle of Adrianopolis with the church's money - for this reason, they were very popular, and emperors could not ignore them.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">5. For emperors, the problems posed by bishops were some among many others, and could quickly lose importance in the event of more urgent matters. Bishops, on the contrary, were very tenacious in defending their title, because for them this was an essential matter. The bishops had their moments of greatest power when the emperors were busy with political or military problems.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; ">6. Bishops were depending on the church's considerable riches, while the emperors depended on taxes, and were very unpopular for this reason, even with their own officers.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Annette and I</span> realized then that the word "power" was not correct. The bishops didn't have temporal powers as they held instead in medieval times. The correct word was "influence." But how do you explain that to children?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>Finally, after reading and re-reading my paragraph several times, the answer became evident. Instead of writing that the bishops were in charge of many churches, I should write that they were in charge of all the churches in a large area or a country. That was enough! If they were in charge of all the churches in a country, of course they had influence on the people, and I didn't need to add explanations. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>I decided to post this little editing story here because Dr. Corti's explanation of the power (or influence) exercised by bishops at that time was very interesting.</p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: serif; "></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><br /></i>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-17467817480909451342011-06-16T21:09:00.000-07:002011-07-21T06:03:07.541-07:00More on the Black Dwarf<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Yesterday, someone posted a comment to my blog post on Athanasius - the Black Dwarf. This person (who remained anonymous) seemed to suggest that I had some revisionist agenda in portraying Athanasius as an Egyptian rather than a black African. As I mentioned in my previous post, I have found no evidence to prove that Athanasius was in fact black, and since he was born in Egypt I simply portrayed him as an Egyptian. Or rather, I told my illustrator how to portray him and left the matter in his hands.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I also mentioned in my earlier post that the expression "black dwarf" in reference to Athanasius became first known in 1984, in <i>The History of Christianity</i> by Justo L. Gonzales. I also enclosed there a link to an article explaining the situation (BTW, I don't endorse the tone used by the author of this article in regards to Dr. Gonzales). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This recent comment, however, prompted me to write Dr. Gonzales directly, and he kindly replied. I am posting his reply here:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Thanks for your e-mail. Actually, after that book was published I looked for the reference, and found several of his enemies mocking his stature and calling him 'black'. But the actual phrase 'black dwarf' does not appear in any of the early texts. (There are some later historians who do use the phrase, and I took if from them. But the actual quote in a reliable ancient text I cannot find. I'll have to correct it in the next edition!)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"At any rate, at that time, and among the people involved in the debates, 'black' did not mean what the same word now means in the US. In <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1308267093_0" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; ">Egypt</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, it was used as a derogatory term by some among the Greeks (who had conquered Egypt some seven centuries earlier) and the Romans (who had come three centuries after the Greeks) as a pejorative way to refer to the original Coptic population. These were not 'black' in the sense in which it is applied to people South of the Saharan. They were fairly dark-skinned, and their hair was wavy. But they were neither as dark nor their hair as wavy as the Sudanese and other people to the south. There are many indications that Athanasius was a Copt and that he was very short."</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> Dr. Gonzales</span> approved of the illustrations in my book and the way Athanasius is portrayed.<br /></span><div> </div><div><br /></div></span></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-57941198352553141472011-04-22T08:21:00.001-07:002011-04-25T09:01:34.473-07:00Illustrations and Text<div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">Yesterday, my publisher asked if I wanted more illustrations in my books, and my first reaction was to say YES, of course! He then sent me another email, refocusing and redimensioning my thoughts. </div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">First, he pointed out the importance of photos. "I think that the photos add an interesting effect to the book," he said. "It adds artifacts and such to a beautifully illustrated books, and such artifacts are fascinating to many children. It makes it more than just beautiful by connecting it to reality; not just a story but our history." This is something I have always believed too, from the start.</div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">Next, he emphasized the text. "Another thing I do not want to diminish is the text of the book. While we have tried to make an attractive picture book, it is the story that you tell that is the driving force behind it."</div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">This was a very important reminder. I don't know if I am the only author to feel this way, but it's easy for me to focus on the imperfections of my writing. Besides, I have been getting many great comments about the artwork in my books that I have started to see it as the priority. In other words, I thought, "The text might be imperfect but the illustrations are great, so that's what's counts." It's funny how easily and even subtly priorities can shift in our minds if we don't continue to review our goals and refocus our intentions.</div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">My publisher's words reminded me immediately of the dramatic shift provided by the historical </div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">Reformation - a shift from sight to hearing, from images to words. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">I have already written a rough manuscript for my next book, Lady Jane, and I can see now that the quotes from Jane's letters as well as the explanation of important concepts such as</span><span class="Apple-style-span" > justification by faith and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice are really the focus of the message, and these concepts cannot be put expressed visually, just as the Gospel cannot be understood in creation. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I want the children to understand why so many tumultuous events were happening in England at that time and what was the motivating force of the English Reformation. In fact, I want them to understand the Reformation in general, to see why it compelled people to do what they did, and then see Jane as one of its strong representatives (as she really was), rather than just an oblivious and naive girl as it is often portrayed. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia; ">So far, I have been trying to write in a very factual manner, describing only the emotions that are documented rather than assuming things, but illustrations (as novels) are by nature imaginative and require assumptions. There is definitely a place for them, as they complement the text and keep the children's attention alive. Still, they cannot take priority over the text.</div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-71360365865966496462011-03-23T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-10T12:44:16.270-07:00Character Arc<div>The character arc is not one of my main priorities in short 64-pages biographies for children, focusing mainly on God's doctrines and His hand on His church. It's however important for the narrative and makes the characters more real and closer to us.<div>Athanasius starts out in the main story as a fiery, impulsive young bishop, ready to communicate, innovate, and most of all to uphold fiercely the doctrines he has been taught by his teacher, Alexander, as they have been confirmed by the Council of Nicea. He might have made mistakes at that point, certainly not as serious as his enemies said. After trying to defend himself at Tyre, he flees by night to talk to Emperor Constantine. He braves the seas in an unfavorable season, arrives in Constantinople ragged and tired and surprises the emperor by meeting him on the road without notice and in unseemly conditions. At first the emperor listens and agrees on his innocence, but when Athanasius' enemies come up with new accusations, Athanasius snaps and tells Constantine that God will be the judge between them. Not the most diplomatic reply. So he is sent off to Trier on his first exile. That's where the story really begins, with a young, impulsive, and worried man.</div><div>The story ends with a mature Athanasius, ready to blow off the worries over a pagan emperor by describing him as a little cloud which will soon pass. The sound of the ominous crows over the temple of Serapis is to him just a repetition of the Latin word "cras". "Cras, cras", meaning "tomorrow, tomorrow." Tomorrow the cloud will be gone and the pagan temple too. Cras, cras.</div><div>In a meeting of bishops, a mature Athanasius is able to distinguish between what is really important and what can be put aside for the sake of unity. The three persons of the Trinity all share the same essence, yes. That's important. They are not just similar to each other, they are really one God. But about the words we use to define that essence, he said that they didn't really matter as long as everyone meant the same thing. That statement put an end to a long period of philosophical discussions, opening the doors to a resolution to the trinitarian crisis (mainly through the Cappadocian brothers).</div><div>In view of that, I revised my idea of what the last illustration in the book should be. The setting is the last time when Athanasius hid from his enemies, probably (according to some sources) in a family tomb. The original sketch (see pencil drawing above) showed him in a tomb with the light seeping in. Suddenly, however, I realized that it was not a good ending of his arc. Starting out as an impetuous young man, he concludes his life in the darkness of a tomb? The text emphasizes the happy ending, but I wanted the illustrations to do the same. So we got the idea of an open door. Open the door of the tomb and look outside! Yes, the enemies are still there. Arianism is spreading so much that Jerome has to cry, "We woke up to find the whole world turned Arian!" And while Athanasius was granted a few peaceful years at the end of his life, he was succeeded by an Arian bishop. Still, look at us today! We are confessing the Nicene Creed. We believe firmly that Christ is very God of very God, being of one substance with the Father. God has preserved his doctrine and his church, and will continue to do so until the end. We can open the door and look outside.</div></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-56705291067401352402011-02-12T08:24:00.000-08:002011-08-10T12:44:42.222-07:00Human Yearning in Picture Books<span class="Apple-style-span">Biographies for children today have for the most part deviated from fictionalized accounts to emphasize facts. There has also been a shift in purpose, from the raising of heroes to an attempt to help children to understand the development of history, personal choices, social concerns, and human experiences. There is an emphasis on accuracy, avoiding suppositions. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">At the same time, as I wrote in a previous post, it's the element of human yearning that makes any story captivating. We want to know what moved the characters to do what they did. Since choices and human experiences are understood best through feelings, the author can give some hints, like "he probably felt..." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Of course, the best way to portray feelings in the context of a factual biography is by using actual quotes. For example, it was refreshing to read how young Athanasius, in the midst of all his problems during his first years as a bishop, started his Easter Letter to the churches in Egypt with a song of joy, "Come, my beloved, the season calls us to keep the feast … so that, when time has passed away, gladness may not leave us."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In pictorial biographies, however, there is another way to portray emotions and move the imagination without drifting too far from reality - illustrations! The masterful painting above is Matt's illustration of the dreadful time when Emperor Constans ordered all bishops to sign a paper denying the conclusions of the Council of Nicea regarding Christ's divinity and especially denouncing Athanasius. It's definitely hard for us to understand the feelings of the bishops who signed. It has been suggested that there was a general atmosphere of theological unclarity (after all, our "orthodox" theology was just in the process of being formulated at that time) rather than fear of the emperor, since martyrdom was still seen as a desirable death for a Christian. After that, we really don't know. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In the illustration, we find ourselves face to face with three pondering men - a bishop and two Roman soldiers, with the looming statue of Emperor Constans behind. We still don't know their thoughts, but they are in front of us and we find that all our prejudgments and rash conclusions are halted in our minds. This is, in my view, one of the main purposes of accurate biographies. They help us to understand or at least empathize. They draw us closer to someone else's life and thoughts and widen our own. They take us to another time as we would travel to another country and help us to sample it through another person's experience. And it's something our children need as well.</span></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789943048155230579.post-88512142141167542342011-02-03T16:59:00.000-08:002011-02-03T17:55:25.336-08:00YearningMost books on writing fiction advise the author to find their character's yearning. There is a perceived need and a hidden need. The hidden need is normally the motivating force, the yearning that carries the character through the story, even if at first it's not clear.<div> I had to determine that with Olympia (the main character in <i>Weight of a Flame, the Passion of Olympia Morata</i>). Being historical fiction, I could not make it up. I had to study her letters.</div><div> Her perceived needs and wants were obvious. She wanted to use her talents. She wanted to please her father, and others in general. She wanted to find a husband who appreciated her skills. </div><div> Her hidden need was not as clear. I had to go to the end of her life to find it, tracing it back to the start. </div><div> I remember sitting on a train in Italy, travelling back from Ferrara, her hometown, reading her last letters. Suddenly I saw something I had never noticed before - a repeated, almost unexpected emphasis on God's strength. She talked about it in almost every letter, with insistence, as if she were trying to convey a newly found treasure.</div><div> When did it start? Soon after she arrived in Heidelberg, giving signs of a mortal and incurable illness. What had happened? Just before this, she was a guest at the house of the Counts of Erbach, and was struck by their devotion to God. She had especially befriendedf the countess, Elizabeth, who apparently had been plagued by many ailments ever since she got married. That's when all seemed to make sense - maybe, Elizabeth said something to encourage her to rely on God's strength.</div><div> Being a work of historical "fiction," I was free to follow my instincts as much as the actual documentation. I began to see Olympia's character arc right in her letters. She started out as a young, talented woman, eager to please others, fearful of their opinions, and not very convinced of her faith in God. She ended with a deep faith and a total reliance on God's strength. The end result was the fulfillment of her hidden need, even if she didn't know she had it.</div><div> I then made that yearning the motivating force of her life from the beginning - a yearning for God, a God she came to know slowly through her life, first as Truth, in a letter by her father (this is a bit of fiction - the letter is true and so is her realization, but I put them together to give it a context); then as Truth worth dying for, in the prison with Fanini; then as Comfort, in her travels to Germany and throughout the war; as Fulfillment, in her meeting with the Fuggers (another bit of fiction - the meeting happened and the lesson was learned, but maybe not simultaneously); and finally as Strength.</div><div> Writing historical fiction is interesting, because even when we recognize a character arc, our hero or heroine doesn't usually follow it in a systematic manner. There are ups and downs, few steps forward and some back. Even after finding true faith in God, Olympia kept harboring a resentment for the people who had offended her, until the very end, which is what makes the story much better than a prefabricated account that goes from weak to strong, unbelieving to believing, bad to good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>simonettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03921188625260900900noreply@blogger.com0