Send us a text In this Play it Again episode from Season Four, Valerie interviews author Maria Antonia about her picture book, The Christmas Elephant, A Nativity Story. They discuss family Christmas traditions, sibling dynamics, and the inspiration behind the book. Maria shares her writing journey and the process of getting her book published. They also talk about their favorite books and what to expect from Maria's upcoming projects. Takeaways Family traditions around Christmas can vary, such as when to put up the Christmas tree. The Christmas Elephant is a picture book about two sisters putting on a Christmas play and the younger sister's desire to be the Christmas elephant. The book explores themes of imperfection, uniqueness, and finding joy in unexpected moments. Maria's writing journey began with writing stories for her nieces and nephews as birthday gifts. Critique groups and online communities can provide valuable feedback and support for writers. The Christmas Elephant was published after a two-book deal with Paraclete Press. Maria's next picture book, The Runaway Sheep, is based on the parable of the lost sheep. Readers can find more about Maria and her books on her website, where she also offers downloadable activities for kids. 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
