Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, Valerie speaks with author Maria Antonia about her new children's book, 'Barnaby the Runaway Sheep.' They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the writing process, and the important lessons for children about trust and guidance from their 'shepherds' in life. Maria shares her experiences growing up and how they influenced her storytelling, as well as her future writing projects. Takeaways Summer was a time for reading and family visits. Barnaby's story is inspired by a real sheep named Shrek. The writing process involves letting ideas percolate. Children should learn to trust their shepherds in life. The illustrations in Barnaby beautifully capture his character. Fear can be a part of growth and learning. Storytelling allows for deeper lessons to be shared. Maria is working on middle grade novels and other projects. The activity guide for Barnaby includes fun games for kids. Maria's website offers free resources and newsletters. Chapters 00:00 Summer Reflections and Family Connections 03:05 The Inspiration Behind Barnaby the Runaway Sheep 11:51 The Journey of Writing and Creating Barnaby 18:41 Lessons from Barnaby: Trusting Your Shepherds 19:48 What's Next for Maria Antonia? Maria Antonia | children's picture book author Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress
