Send us a text In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie Fentress engages with author David Lahm and illustrator Lael Brinkley about their children's book 'In the Beginning, God Smiled.' The conversation explores the themes of faith and science, the artistic representation of God, and the messages intended for both children and parents. David shares his inspiration for writing the book, while Lael discusses her approach to illustrating God's character. They also reflect on impactful books in their lives and their future projects together. Don't forget to join in the 2nd Annual Holiday Book Drive partnership with Storyteller's Shelf Podcast. More Details at the following link. Help share the magic of children’s literature with every young reader. 2025 Holiday Book Drive: September 30 – December 1 – The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast Takeaways Children's books can minister to parents as well. Combining faith and science can create meaningful stories. God's joy in creation is a central theme of the book. Art can personify God in a welcoming way. Children should learn they are not mistakes but intentional creations. The book aims to show God's love and intentionality in creation. David's background in science influences his writing. Lael's illustrations aim to depict glimpses of God. The joy of creating parallels God's joy in creation. Future projects will continue the themes of faith and love. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bookworthy and Guests 01:45 Exploring the Themes of 'In the Beginning, God Smiled' 04:28 The Artistic Representation of God 07:54 Messages for Children and Parents 12:08 The Journey to Writing and Illustrating 20:31 Impactful Books and Future Projects Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress
