Trick or Treat with Laura Sassi!

Hi readers, writers, and pumpkin-lovers, too! What’s better than having tea? Having tea with a friend, of course.

We're thrilled to celebrate the season with author Laura Sassi and her beautiful new book, Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle. When Boo’s invitation to Belle’s annual Pumpkin Tea is swept away by the wind, things don’t go quite as planned. But will these two dear friends let a little lost mail spoil their time together, or will they find a way to weather the storm and forgive each other?

Want to know more about Laura and her newest book, PLUS want to find out whether she’s brought a Trick or a Treat along with her? Read on if you dare... 🎃🧡

Q: Hi, Laura! Thanks for joining us for our annual Trick-or-Treat celebration! Can you share a little bit about yourself and the books you write? What are some recent publications we can look out for?

A: I am a Christian author who writes uplifting books, stories and poems for children. While some of these are faith-oriented, like My Tender Heart Bible (and the other two books in that series published by Paraclete Press) or Faithful Feet (Worthy Kids), which is fun walk through the Bible using feet as the spark, others, like my debut Goodnight, Ark (Zonderkidz) and my newest Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle (Paraclete Press), are just plain wholesome.  

In addition to being an author, I’ve also been a teacher, homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, museum docent and more.  All these experiences have shaped who I am and have provided countless moments of inspiration for my writing.  My most recent publication is Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle which released this past July.  Next up is an Easter board book from Paraclete Press titled Happy Easter, Risen King! which releases in January.

Q: Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle is such a sweet read!  When Boo’s invitation to Belle’s Annual Pumpkin Tea is swept away by the wind, things don’t go quite as planned. But will these two dear friends let a little lost mail spoil their time together?

Can you share more about the inspiration about this story and what you hope young readers will take away from it? 

A: Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle is inspired by real-life recollections of moments between friends and family where there was misunderstanding, hurt feelings, or disappointment and how those were ultimately resolved by extending grace and forgiving to each other so that solid friendships could blossom and grow.  

I was also inspired by two favorite Bible verses. From I Thessalonians 5:16-18, the first passage which inspired the story (and which is found on the title page) is about giving thanks in ALL circumstances. The second verse can be found on the very last page of the book. It’s Psalm 118:24—a call to rejoice and be glad today because God made it. That’s what Boo and Belle end up doing!

Q: Most of your books have a religious tie-in, which is so sweet! What tie-in does this book have and what tips do you have for our readers who are looking to do something similar in their manuscripts? 

A: Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle is one of those stories that meets at the intersection of faith and mainstream. I say this because although Boo’s and Belle’s dilemma and choices in the book are inspired by the Bible verses I shared above (to be thankful always and to rejoice in all circumstances), the story itself is not specifically religious. The tie-in, thus, is that the themes found in the story are in keeping with my faith, even though, in this case, there is no outright religious element to the story.  

My advice for writers of faith, therefore, is to first consider whether your story will be explicitly religious, like my books Faithful Feet or My Tender Heart Devotions, for example, or whether it will instead, shine God’s love indirectly by telling a story that is in keeping with what you  believe, but which has no specific religious reference.  Once you have decided this, the next step of getting your idea on paper will be easier.  Of course, I would also add that prayer, at least for me, is an important part of this process.  

Q: What’s your favorite spread and why? (Share the image).

A: I really love each and every spread that illustrator Farah Shah has created, but if I had to pick my favorite, it would be the opening map spread which sets up the story world in a darling way.  I’ve also heard from both children and their parents that they especially love the map and never tire of tracing fingers along the paths, looking for fun details, and identifying where each character lives.  

Q: What’s one way your MC would celebrate fall (outside from your book)?

A: I like to imagine that in addition to their annual Pumpkin Day Tea (from the story), Boo and Belle might also enjoy a embarking on a nice fall hike through some of the lovely terrain depicted on the story map.  That’s also a way that I enjoy celebrating fall, so I guess it makes sense that I’d imagine my characters enjoying the same.

BONUS: What’s both your favorite and least favorite candy? What would you be thrilled to receive in your candy bag, and what would you desperately try to trade?

Fun question!  I would be thrilled to receive nothing but dark chocolate in my candy bag.  By contrast, I’d be keen to trade away licorice of any variety. 

Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers?

A TREAT! I'd love to offer a copy of the book to one lucky reader.

What a fall-tastic treat! Thanks again for stopping by, Laura. It was a pleasure hosting you and hearing all about your new book!

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Laura's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) share her post on social media. Pumpkin and Tea-themed GIFs are of course welcomed, too.

Please Note: Giveaway's will be shipped in the U.S. only.

*Special Reminder: Those who like, leave a comment on, and share all posts will be entered into a drawing and be eligible to win:

• One (1) of five (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Editor Lynne Marie & Author Heather Macht and/or

• A Query Critique from Agent  Lynnette Novak with The Seymour Agency 

Winners will be drawn and announced on or about 10/22. 

About Laura Sassi:

Laura Sassi is the author of multiple books for young children including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark, which was a 2015 Christian Book Award Finalist; My Tender Heart Devotions, which was a 2024 Christianity Today Book Award finalist, Faithful Feet, Love Is Kind,  Happy Birthday Christmas Child and more. She writes daily from her home in Cranford, New Jersey and finds special joy in sharing messages of kindness, comfort and hope at school visits, church gatherings, and other events.

For more about Laura, visit her at the below links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraSassiTales

Website/Blog: http://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/twitter.com/laurasassitales

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurasassitales/ 

Amazon (for book reviews and purchases): Amazon.com: Laura Sassi: books, biography, latest update

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