Send us a text In this conversation, Valerie interviews Emmanuel Jean Russell, the author of 'My Name is Emmanuel,' a picture book that explores his adoption story and the significance of his name. Emmanuel shares insights about his writing process, the cultural elements he incorporated into his book, and the message he hopes to convey to children about identity and belonging. The discussion also touches on the importance of adoption and how it reflects a deeper spiritual narrative. Tyndale | Hello! My Name Is Emmanuel Hello! My Name Is Emmanuel: Russell, Emmanuel Jean 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 Emmanuel's book addresses the complexities of adoption. The story is told from a child's perspective. Cultural elements from Haiti are vividly depicted. Emmanuel's transition from Haiti to the Pacific Northwest is significant. The book aims to communicate that every child matters. Writing came naturally to Emmanuel due to his background. The book includes interactive elements for children. Emmanuel hopes to inspire kids to find their purpose. Adoption is portrayed as a gospel story. Future projects include more stories from Emmanuel's life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emmanuel and His Book 02:49 Exploring Adoption Through Emmanuel's Story 05:30 Cultural Elements in the Book 08:12 The Writing Process and Inspirations 10:29 Future Let's discover great books together! Follow for more: FB: @bookworthypodcast Instagram: @bookworthy_podcast YouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTube tiktok: @valeriefentress