Princess Party, Local Author Put Focus on Girls
The popular Princess Party at Baker Book House (10:30 am Tuesday, June 13) is more than a dress-up opportunity for author Glenys Nellist. While she'll wear a tiara, she'll also read from her new book "Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart" (Zonderkidz)."Because this is an event specifically for girls, it seemed appropriate to read from this book especially designed for girls," said Nellist, who lives in Rockford.
Girls who sign up for the June 13 event—tickets are $3 and available at the store or by calling 616-957-3110—can come dressed as royalty and enjoy a royal tea of juice or water, craft time, story time with Nellist, and a parade through the store.
Nellist will read from her book the story of a famous princess: Esther, The Prayerful Girl. The book contains seven stories from the Old Testament starting with Eve, and seven stories from the New Testament starting with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
"If you ask someone about a Bible story with a child in it, most people will talk about David and Goliath or Samuel or the little boy with the fishes. But girls are there," said Nellist. "I want to give women and girls a voice."
Nellist has been writing children's books for many years and is author of three other books in the Love Letters from God series—"Love Letters from God: Bible Stories," "Christmas Love Letters from God: Bible Stories," and "Little Love Letters from God Bible Stories." A fifth in the series, "Easter Love Letters from God" comes out for Easter 2018.
"I love tapping into the creativity everyone has in one form or another. When I sit down to write, it's exciting because I'm finding new, creative ways to write an old story," said Nellist. "I pray that God's Holy Spirit will write through me."
Nellist grew up a well-known pastor's daughter in England, then married David Nellist, a pastor. She's always been known as the pastor's daughter or pastor's wife, roles she has loved and honored.
"But sometimes we women might feel like we live in the shadow of man. I want women and girls to know that they are loved for who they are, that they are daughters of the King," she said. "We are special just for who we are."
Connect:
Where: Baker Book House, 2768 East Paris Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
When: 10:30 am Tuesday, June 13
Tickets: $3 each, call 616-957-3110 or visit the store
What: Story time with Glenys Nellist, royal tea, craft time, parade
