Nana's Bible Stories (a giveaway)

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you all so much for entering.
And congratulations to Beck @ Frog and Toad Are Friends.


I'd like to introduce you to a wonderful new children's author. Roberta Simpson, a 71 year old grandmother, has written a lovely book. As you can imagine, when I was asked to participate in the promotion of this book, I was immediately intrigued by the title.

Nana's Bible Stories captures the warmth and wisdom of Scripture in this treasure of tales from the Bible. Roberta (Nana) weaves stories of courage, healing, hope, giving, salvation, and more while bringing the heart of God alive to young hearts.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Susan Mitchell and includes a foreword by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and a bonus CD in which the stories are narrated by Sheila Walsh, a featured Women of Faith speaker. And I love it that a portion of every sale of this beautiful book goes to children's charities like the Make a Wish Foundation.




I'm very pleased to share this interview with you. And in the spirit of sharing, although it's painful for me, :-), I'd like to give this book away. If you have children or grandchildren you'd like to share this book with, just leave a comment. As always, please be sure you can be reached through your comment and stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on Saturday morning.

Oh! And don't feel sorry for me - I'll be buying my own copy, because, you know, I'm a Nana too. :-)


It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to share some of my personal thoughts and experiences as a new author with you, Barb, and the A Chelsea Morning ladies! I am so blessed to see the work you are doing to help and encourage each other!

There are so many gifts lying dormant in the lives of women—just waiting to be discovered or understood. I pray not only that my book, Nana’s Bible Stories, will be encouraging to the children in your life—but, also that my personal story will be of encouragement to many of you as you pursue your calling.

You have been telling stories to your five children and nine grandchildren for many years. Why do you believe the art of storytelling is so important…and why do children respond so well to stories?

ROBERTA: Storytelling is so important firstly because you are engaging a child or children for a special time. I love to use my grandchildren’s names in the stories as I have done in Nana’s Bible Stories.

I believe storytelling is an adventure, and what you are doing is bringing children into the story. It is also a great time for cuddling, and being close to the kids – it is a time for bonding, and engaging their trust. I find there is not a child I have met who does not just LOVE having a story read, or told to them!

I believe that children respond to stories (if they are good stories!) because it is a time where they can listen to a story about someone or something else other than what they see and feel everyday, and many times can place themselves into the story – e.g. “What would I have done?”

While playing with kids, I love starting a story – “Once upon a time, there was a…” then I would point to one of the kids, and they would have to make up something. I would continue this way until all the kids had a turn, and we had a story! It was crazy, fun, and lots of loud laughter.

Why did you decide to write Nana’s Bible Stories?

ROBERTA: Books are such an important element in a child’s life. Books with stories of the Bible are wonderful, because kids can start at an early age, learning wonderful lessons from this great book. The Bible has more adventure and excitement than any book ever published.

I wanted so much to write stories that were warm, exciting, with the emphasis on how much Jesus loves children, and how He was such a wonderful loving person on this earth, even though He was the Son of God! I wish for children to know how important they are in the Kingdom of God. Jesus was passionate about them and I want kids to be passionate about Him!

Bible literacy is so important! The Bible is the most influential text in all of Western culture – in fact, ninety percent of high school teachers in a 2005 study said that Bible knowledge is critical to a good education. Yet, sadly, the rate of Bible illiteracy among teens entering college is alarmingly high and is severely limiting their ability to understand classic and modern literature, art, music and culture.

The seven stories featured in Nana’s Bible Stories are biblically correct – but, you have a unique style of storytelling. You have created stories within stories. Would you please explain why you used this style?

ROBERTA: When reading the Bible, I tend to stop and meditate on what I have read, and often, especially looking at characters in the Bible, I wonder how they felt, where they lived, etc. My heart always went out to the leper who Jesus healed. For instance, did he have a family? His heart must have been broken at having to leave home. I believe other people—including children—might wonder the same things…so I thought it would be interesting to develop stories around the stories.

I do a lot of research and I insist on maintaining the actual story from the Bible. I do not remove the tiniest meaning from the Word!

I had a wonderful time writing “A Father’s Miracle.” Here is a little boy, who I invented, who just loved his Abba – Daddy. His dad gets sick and has to move away from his home, and all he loves. I wanted kids to be able to identify with this child. It could have been them, and many kids face this sad experience – maybe not leprosy, but sickness and death!

I believe kids will be encouraged and inspired, like the little boy, and pray for loved ones who are sick, and have faith that they will be healed by Jesus, who is the same today as He was yesterday!


Why do you believe it is important to introduce our children to the Bible when they are young?

ROBERTA: I do believe, and it is also scripturally true, that if you train up a child in the scripture, and encourage that child to have a personal relationship with God, then when he/she grows up they will truly not depart from it. I have done this, and seen the results. I can truly say that all my children, and their children, know the Lord!

If we can promote the Bible as interesting, exciting, etc. then children will want to know the content. I want my stories to be exciting and truthful, so that my book can serve as an introduction to the Bible, and they will want to read more!

We need to reach kids when they are young, when their minds are open to accepting new concepts, characters etc. Look at how easily young kids can pick up new languages. When I was five years old I went to a Welsh school, where no English was spoken. I could choose to hide in a corner, as I did the first day, or jump in and learn the language. I chose to learn, and learn I did!

The minds of children are so open, and accepting. When kids learn the Bible at an early age, it teaches them great values, and greatly influences the development of their character!

I think it would make such a positive and wonderful difference in children’s lives if they were required to learn Bible stories!

You are truly “Nana” to many young people – including those outside of your family. You have even challenged other Nanas to become more involved. Why do you think it is important for Nanas to become involved in the lives of young people?

ROBERTA: I absolutely love and adore my children and grandchildren. But I have had the privilege to meet and be involved with so many kids outside my own family. It is so important for us, either as Nanas, or Nana figures, to be involved with kids. I believe they need us, and we have much to give.

There are many kids out there, who are lonely and unloved. I really pray my book will allow me to touch the lives of many of these children, to love on them and encourage them. There is so much we can do, and we can truly, with a compassionate heart, be the hands and feet of Jesus in children’s lives.


If you would like to learn more about Roberta or her book, please go to Nana's Bible Stories. You may download one of her favorite stories, The Butterfly and the Cross—the story of the crucifixion as told through the gentle and tender eyes of a butterfly. She has also included a special devotional for the story which you may share with your children this Easter season. Cuddle up with a child and enjoy!