Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
Janet, our founder, has a vision:
“Children – such a precious gift from God! I love to watch my grandchildren climb trees, dig for worms, pretend to be dinosaurs, stare with fascination at a horse skull in a museum, dabble a stick in the river, dig in the sand at the beach and collect “treasures” in the woods – a stick, a fir cone, an interesting stone.
Sadly, not all children in our beautiful world are able to enjoy their childhood.
Some are desperate for food, shelter and clean water. Some need medical attention, and/or have no access to education. Some are victims of tragic natural disasters. Some are victims of cruelty. Some become perpetrators of violence and hatred. I don’t need to spell it out. You know.
But all children need to hear the good news of Jesus, whether they are privileged, desperate, or somewhere in between.
We can’t be complacent.
There’s a battle on.
Did you know that 75% of Christians made the decision to follow Jesus in their youth? You may already have heard that figure, and you may be part of it – I was! I was invited to go to church when I was 13, and have never looked back.
There are so many children in the world, all needing to hear the good news, growing up fast! The harvest is ripe and ready – we need to act NOW!
Dernier books are all fun stories, but every one is more than a good read; each holds a message in the story. Deepest Darkness is about a girl who finds freedom from her fears, while on holiday in Canada. I Want to Be an Airline Pilot is about a boy from a child-led family who discovers through a series of adventures that he has a father in heaven who cares for him. The Beech Bank Girls series of stories look at issues girls face from a Christian perspective…
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” Giving young people Christian book is like taking them to Jesus.
Imagine a world where every child had the opportunity to hear the good news that Jesus loves them!
One day we will have to give an account of everything we have done. It’s time to act.
Here’s what you can do to make sure the children in your life don’t miss out:
1. Keep in touch (fill in the form that pops up!)
2. Buy books for the children in your life.
3. Pray. We will pray with you – we pray for all the children who will read our books!
Be the one who feeds the lambs. Don’t leave it to someone else. No one else might come.
Thanks for reading,
Janet
Darkness v Light
As the days get shorter and darker, we can begin to feel the darkness seeping into our spirits.
Halloween parties and trick and treating are now pretty much part of our culture now, aren’t they? – the shops are full of witches, skeletons and vampires. This celebration of all that is dark and evil pushes against all that the Lord longs for our young people – light, life and hope.
But this is what Jesus came to bring! Even in the dark days of winter we can suddenly we get a shaft of light – a clear blue sky, a profusion of red berries on an evergreen bush, a burst of song from a robin. All these are reminders us that the darkness will never overcome the light.
Fighting Back
If you or your church are planning a light party for the end of October, what about giving books away to your guests? So they take the message of the good news of Jesus home with them?
(Church families/kids need encouragement, too!)
Here are some suggestions:
The City Kid for young adults.
All these books have an inspiring message of hope, gently woven into exciting stories kids will want to read again and again.
We have to fight back! Sometimes it seems there’s not much we can do against an ever-growing tide of evil, but buying a book and giving it away is a simple way churches can get the good news into homes in the community.
You can order these suggested books from your favourite Christian (or any other) bookshop worldwide, or direct from the dernierpublishing website. If you wish to order large quantities for a school or church, please get in touch with us. We would love to help you.
And we have some fabulous news!
We can’t end this newsletter without acknowledging the wonderful Eleanor Watkins, the hugely talented author of the Beech Bank Girls, Rebecca and Jade: Choices, Nobody’s Dog and Oliver’s Secret, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Christian Literature award at the recent Christian Resources Together event!
Eleanor absolutely deserves this award, having written over 50 books, many for children and youth, and we are delighted that her dedication to, and heart for writing, has been recognised in this way.
We are absolutely delighted for Eleanor… and we have more of her books coming out very soon! The next one, Who Invented Sisters? is a fun story about a young lad who has four big, bossy sisters… I read it to my grandson who absolutely loved it! We’ll keep you informed, of course.
More New Books
The sequel to The Dove Stone (The Capstone), by Pam Daunton, is currently at the editing stage, as is another lovely story from Mary Weeks Millard, Memory Makers. Please pray for these projects! We very much appreciate your support.
So don’t forget your books to bring light… and I’ll be in touch again soon.
It’s a pleasure to be working with you!
Janet
Need to Get Book Ready for Summer?
Dear Dernier Friends,
I had a lovely holiday in Dorset earlier this month – the weather was a bit iffy at times, but I got to see where A Pennyworth of Peppermints is set!
Summer holidays, for me, as a child, was all about reading. I loved spending time in far-away places, on thrilling adventures with the characters in the stories – how I wish we had Dernier books back then!
When my kids were younger (they’re all adults now – how quickly the time goes, doesn’t it?) I got to enjoy many of the same stories all over again. Great fun!
So what books do you need for the summer? Whether you’re off on holiday soon and need stories to share together, or if you need a stack of inspiring novels for them to read alone, we have you covered.
Book Bundles
We have bundles at GREAT prices!
We have extended our range of Book Bundles for sale on our website – check them out here.
Clubs and Camps
Is your church running a club or camp in the holidays? After all your hard work (and it really is exhausting, isn’t it? :-)), how about giving the children/families a book to take home? Here are three excellent reasons why you should do this:
- The gift will remind them you care, every time they see it (especially if you sign it)
- The good news will be in the home, 24/7, to be read at any time
- Not everyone can buy books, including Christian families, so you’re helping alleviate book poverty.
This is what one children’s worker said, “One lady who lives 17 miles away from church, came on Sunday. She came because she had read her son’s book, one of the Treasure Mystery ones. Her son loves coming to Kidz Klub, and she wanted to see why. At the end of the service she stayed behind to talk to the preacher, and after a long chat with him, she was born again!”
Check out our Churches tab on the website, then order your books now.
And may the Lord bless your time together!
Prayer
Would you be kind enough to stop for a minute and pray for us?
By now you’ve probably bought some of our books for the children in your life, and know that they are making a difference. Your children’s attitudes and thoughts will be a little different; they will understand a little more what it is to live and walk as a Christian; they will be encouraged to see that it’s great to walk with the Lord… seeds will have been sown.
Perhaps you’ve even had an opportunity to discuss the book from the questions at the back of the books, and been learning together!
But not every child has this opportunity. We’d love more children to have access to fun books with Christian themes, to bring light in the darkness and lots of joy!
Please would you pray that more Christians would see the importance of giving Christian books to children/teens? That Christian schools would swim against the tide and encourage Christian books? That churches would buy books for their community?
Thank you! Not everyone sees the need, but each book can transform a life, or at the very least, be a vital link in a chain on a faith journey.
Thank you so much for all your support, today and in the past. We wouldn’t exist without you.
Have a wonderful summer,
Janet
Yes, that’s me in Portland Castle! 🙂
P.S. If you’re going to Dorset in the holidays, A Pennyworth of Peppermints is definitely the story to take with you for family reading. It’s a spy mystery story set in WW1, so will give you and the kids loads to talk about (especially with the faith element). 🙂
New Book and More News!
Dear Dernier Friends,
I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the summer – it’s quite chilly in the UK at the moment, but at least everything looks lovely and green, and the days are long and light! Perhaps we’ll get some warmer weather soon… 🙂
Suspicious Deliveries
Suspicious Deliveries is finally with us! If your kids love mystery adventure books, or if you need a fun story for family reading, to bring up interesting topics to discuss from a Christian perspective, this is the book for you!
It’s the sequel to The Treasure Hunt and Mystery in the Snow.
Church kids love these stories, as they have characters just like them. They are also great for non-church kids, as they give a perspective as to what it’s like to be Christian, woven into an exciting story.
So what’s Suspicious Deliveries about?
Debbie, Lance, Joel and Ravi turn detective again, as a new mystery comes their way. They get suspicious when they discover that a young lad is being forced to make secret deliveries. What’s in the locked bags? And why all the secrecy? After praying together about the situation, the friends decide to investigate. Then something terrible happens…
I’ll leave you to buy a copy and find out what’s up with the deliveries!
The book also explores the theme of adoption, as one of the boys reveals he is adopted. A girl from my home church, who is adopted, read the story and said, “This is the best book ever.” She also said, “I related to Ravi as he is adopted, too. His friends reacted just the same way many of mine have, when they found out I was adopted.”
I highly recommend you buy this book for all the children on your heart (8-11-ish), not just those who are adopted. It’s great for children to be able to understand and hear each other, and to develop compassion – and a book is a great way to bring in these ideas.
Plus, every book can be a vital link in a chain of encouragement to faith – and how our children do need so much encouragement, don’t they?
Exams
Exams are nearly over, and the summer holidays are round the corner. Let’s pray for our children, for their safety and wellbeing over the holidays.
Books can be a wonderful wind down after a long, stressful few months, so why not check out our range, see what might be for you?
Bargain Books
Finally, if you’re looking for books for your own family, we have a ‘Slight Seconds Bundle’ offer on our website, at a bargain price. Click here for more details.
And of course we have lots more books! Here are a couple of recent reviews:
Nobody’s Dog, for 6-9s:
My son only read comic books and refused books without pictures on every page (age 8.5). I’ve bought countless books which might have interested him but he found this one on his shelf and read it in three days. He loved it! He has now read another book from this site and I’ve ordered a further two. This book has given my son a love for reading! I also read the book and found the story really sweet and I was encouraged with how it gently mentioned prayer and normalised having a faith. – Louise
Beech Bank Girls (for 10-13s):
Meet the Beech Bank Girls! Each one tells her story and it’s fun to see how their lives interconnect. The girls face their struggles with the help of God and each other. They pray about their problems with temptation, relationships and sickness, but they learn that God sometimes answers in unexpected ways. As Sadie points out at their beloved Beech Bank Club, “Maybe He’ll change the circumstances… And maybe He’ll change you.” – Alex
Right, I won’t keep you any longer. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can help you further. If you’re a retailer, or buying quantities for a church, mission or charity, we can offer quantity discounts, and would love to hear from you.
The more books in young hands, the better. And don’t forget, if they don’t like reading, you can always read to them!
Grace and peace to you all in Jesus,
Janet
Director, Dernier Publishing
Christian Books for Children
Dear Dernier Friends,
This week is Book Week in the UK! Lots of children have gone to school dressed up in fabulous outfits, and encouraged to enjoy stories.
I went into a local school to talk to the children about writing, and faith in writing. What a lovely time we had!
I was greeted by the caretaker dressed as a wizard, the receptionist as a tiger (I guess she was going somewhere for tea!) and the class teacher was an astronaut. What fun!
All over the country schools have been celebrating this special week.
Please pray that many opportunities will come from this week, for Christian books to get into schools, and children’s hands.
If you are a school teacher/governor, or your school has links to a church/Christian school, do check out the Schools tab on our website. We offer schools who sign up discounts off books, to help them with their tight budgets.
Yay, books in Kenya!
Thank you to all who have donated books for Kenya.
Here’s a message from Dr Loise Gichuhi, from Education Bridge Africa:
“We were able to get the storybooks to a needy school that had requested them. This is a school with good infrastructure but the catchment area is an informal settlement* of Kibra. The demand for storybooks is high and we at least were able to get the latest gift copy and other remnants to make sure one class could share during the library hour.
In order to get all children access to the books, the books are preserved in the office and children are encouraged to borrow them at least twice a week. Different titles are still needed.
We appreciate your support to Education Bridge Africa as we try to meet our vision for a storybook per child in Kenya.”
* Here’s the definition of an informal settlement:
“Informal housing or informal settlement can include any form of housing, shelter, or settlement which is illegal, falls outside of government control or regulation, or is not afforded protection by the state.”
The challenges children in informal settlements face are immense. Access to books will help them to get an education, so they can get out of poverty.
Mostly we’re not allowed to share photos, but on this occasion the school is happy for us to do so… many of the schools are much more basic and overcrowded, but the children are eager to learn.
So thank you for your gift! You can be sure the books will be well loved and used, and change lives.
Books in the UK
Do the children in your neighbourhood also need books?
Easter is now fast approaching, along with the fabulous opportunity to give away Christian books to your family, church kids and any that come along to groups and clubs connected to your church…. books that speak of the life and joy and the hope we have in Christ.
A book can change a life in an instant, or it can be a vital link in a journey to life. Especially when it’s given with love. 🙂
Do let me know quickly if you need quantities of books to give away to families at your church. We have lots of lovely books to choose from!
New Books
We’ve been talking about Suspicious Deliveries for a long time – now The Treasure Hunt and Mystery in the Snow have their brand new look, it’s time to work on this third book in the series.
Here’s the cover – it’s not finalised, but pretty much there! In this story, the four intrepid detectives wonder what’s up, when a visiting neighbour is asked by his uncle to do some deliveries…
I’ll keep you in touch with what’s going on!
Once again, it’s been a delight to serve you this month, with books for your children. Every book going out has such potential, and we pray for the readers of every one.
Will be in touch again soon with more news,
Janet
Dear Dernier Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know that we now have brand new copies of our latest updated story, Mystery in the Snow, ready to bring joy to your 8-11s! Yaaayyyy!!!!
It’s the sequel to The Treasure Hunt, which has been well received. Here’s a review from Jonas, a nine-year-old lad, in the Transforming Ministry magazine:
“It was really exciting. When I got to the end of a chapter, I wanted to read the next one. When the children in the story found something they they thought was wrong or hard, they prayed and told their parents and then did something about it, even though it was scary. I think my friends would like it, and I hope my school library will get it. I’d definitely like to read another adventure by this author!”
It’s not easy finding Christian books suitable for nine-year-old boys as well as girls, so if you know a family who might enjoy either or both of these stories, make sure they don’t miss out. We need to encourage our children in their faith right now – the need is urgent. I’m sure, like me, you are constantly shocked and saddened by what is going on in our children’s lives. In the face of such evil, it can all seem so overwhelming, but at least we can still buy books and pass them on!
Let’s fight back!
Together in the service of the King,
Janet
Books to Bring Light at Christmas
Dear Dernier Friends,
The clocks have gone back, Hallowe’en has been and gone (phew!), and now we can look forward to Christmas. 🙂
True Light
We love Christmas, don’t we, and all that it means to us. Jesus was born – our Saviour came to us, humbly and simply, to bring us back to God. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Of course, there’s a lot of commercialism at Christmas, too. We love the tinsel and the fairy lights, the gifts and the food, but we need more than that, don’t we?
And so do our young people, who are struggling like never before and so badly need true light, not just the fairy lights and shiny baubles (however lovely those things are).
A gift of Christian books can give eternal value, long after the decorations have been put away.
A book can transform a life in a moment… or it can be a link in a chain on a journey of faith.
Imagine the joy your gift of books could bring! The more you buy, the greater the potential…
Can I suggest that you:
- Make a list of children on your heart
- Choose a book for each of them
- Pray that your gift will bring an abundance of true joy, light, life and hope!
We have set up a Christmas Page for you, with all the books in one place, to help you easily choose the perfect book for each of your children/teens/young adults. Click here to go to the page.
Don’t let your loved ones miss out! Be the one who shares the true light this Christmas (you might be the only one who does).
N.B. If you need quantities of books for groups, discounts are available on some of our books. If you can’t find what you want, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would love to help you, if we can.
Angel Tree
We have delivered another consignment of books to Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree programme – 200 copies of Under the Tamarind Tree! These books are destined for prisoners’ children this Christmas. Prisoners, through their prison chaplains, can choose to have a gift and a Christian book sent to their children on their behalf. This is an absolutely brilliant scheme, which we are delighted to be part of.
Please pray that each one of these books will be welcomed and enjoyed… and readers’ hearts touched by the good news in the story. One young reader said about this story: “You can tell by this book that God can do really amazing things.” Amen to that! You can buy your own copy here, or from your local Christian bookshop.
Christian Bookshops
Talking about Christian bookshops, they do a wonderful job, and they sell much more than books (most sell Dernier books, and they can all order them for you). They sell inspiring gifts, calendars, candles, advent calendars, music, and all sorts of other wonderful things as well! Why not make a date to visit your nearest shop? They would love to see you. 🙂
Right, better get on.
We love serving you with our books. We love sending out your orders, and praying for the books as they leave us and reach you. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be able to help you bring light to the children/families on your heart.
Together in His service,
Janet
P.S. Here’s the link to the Christmas page, to help you choose your books. Enjoy!
September News
Dear Dernier Friends,
Boy do we have a wonderful, growing list of Christian fiction for you to give the children on your heart! What a privilege it is for us to offer these books to you, and hear your reviews, of how they have been enjoyed and changed hearts and lives.
Every single book you give away is investing in your children’s future as well as giving enjoyment today.
The Treasure Mystery Series
Mystery in the Snow, sequel to The Treasure Hunt, should be with us before Christmas! Illustrator Katy Hollamby’s front cover will be featuring Debbie, Ravi, Lance and Joel in Mrs Adamson’s kitchen, trying not to smell the fish cooking for her cat, Lucy… 🙂
After that, Katy will be working on the cover of the long-awaited third book in the series: Suspicious Deliveries. Yayyy!!!! Can’t wait.
Did you enjoy The Treasure Hunt? Please do leave a review on our website, if you did – we’d love to hear from you, and it does help people choose. One gentleman who read the book felt it wasn’t good to have children doing dangerous things, and he felt the characters obeyed the letter of the law as regards their parents’ direction, rather than the spirit of it, but everyone else seems to have enjoyed the antics of Ravi, Debbie, Ryan and Lance.
Anti-Trafficking
The Treasure Hunt is highly recommended by the head of an anti-trafficking organisation.
So if you’re looking for a book to talk about the issue of trafficking with your children at an age appropriate level, this book is for you. It has Discussion Questions at the end, which are perfect for families to talk about together, or for teachers at Christian schools in Key Stage 2. (Do pass on this info to any Christian teachers you know.)
Angel Tree Thank You
Thank you to all of you who prayed for the delivery of books to Tim from Angel Tree a couple of weeks ago. I left at the crack of dawn to drive into central London at 6am, in order to beat the traffic and the London Congestion Charge! It was a wonderful experience, crossing Lambeth Bridge with the Thames sparkling in the early morning light and the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye watching over proceedings!
Tim had to make an early start, too, by train, and we arrived, amazingly, at exactly the same moment. Then came the unloading of the books… 500 copies of The Treasure Hunt and 300 copies of The Birthday Shoes, all destined for prisoners’ children for Christmas. (Sorry to speak about Christmas this early… although some shops already seem to have cards and decorations for sale, yikes!)
We are delighted to be sharing in this wonderful scheme, to give Christian books to prisoners’ children at Christmas.
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot
We are hoping to have this book ready for you for Christmas, too (oops, Christmas again!) – the new, larger version, with images at the beginning of every chapter. It will be the perfect gift for your 8-11s, or for family reading, to encourage you all in your walk with God. It’s an excellent book for outreach, too – as Shema learns about ‘Mister God’, readers are learning, too, about the Lord’s love and care for even (especially?) the poor and vulnerable. We have had several technical issues with this one… please pray for this, and all of our projects. It seems that the enemy doesn’t want us to supply you with Christian books for your children. But prayer changes things!
Your Outreach
If you have a group of people who use your church building, why not reach out to them with a book gift? At harvest, perhaps, or Hallowe’en? Groups such as lunch clubs, after school clubs, uniformed organisations, debt advice, food banks… if you give people a book, they can take the message of the good news home to their families (the older generation love A Pennyworth of Peppermints!). Please do get in touch with us for quantity discounts. We’d love to help you realise your dream of sharing the good news with your community in a gentle and non-threatening way.
Special September Offer
Before I go, we’d love to offer you something to bless you young people off to college/uni. (And it’s a bargain! :-))
September23 is the code you need for £2 off every copy of Year 0033 you buy direct from our website. Here’s the link. The code will work until 30th September.
“This book is a gripping read – there are lots of twists and turns to the story, and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended.” – Anita
(Retailers – please contact us for extra discount.)
This is a brilliant book to keep your young people thinking about faith, as they make their way into the adult world.
Investing in their faith at this stage of their lives can’t be overestimated, can it? You can make a difference, that will perhaps have eternal consequences.
Christian Bookshops
I know many of you don’t have a Christian bookshop near you, but if you do, don’t forget you can order any of our books from them. Some also have websites and take phone orders. This will be a great blessing to them as well as to you.
Right, I’ve kept you here long enough. May the Lord bless you and keep you. And if there’s anything you need to contact us about, please don’t hesitate to do so.
In Christ,
Janet
P.S. I know, there’s so much news to take in! So here’s the link again for £2 off every copy of Year 0033 you buy this month, for your young people off to college… the coupon code is September23. 🙂
Latest News
Dear Dernier Friends,
We’re already well into August… How did that happen? Sometimes it seems as though time really does have wings…
Waiting for exam results
Let’s pray for all the young people who are anxiously waiting for exam results. Some will be pleased with their results, when they come; others won’t… but the waiting is horrid for everyone. They do need our prayers.
How about buying a fabulous book to take their minds off the impending results and all the decisions that will then need to be made?
Here are some suggestions:
Do take a look!
Your gift might not merely distract from the anxiety/panic for a little while, but bring true life and hope for eternity. And what could be better than that?
We have a brand new, exciting series in the pipeline, for you!
This series, by Eleanor Watkins, is all about a boy who has four big sisters. They are really fun; Jack goes through many struggles… getting lost, trouble with bullies, and lots more. His sisters keep him on his toes! Please do pray for these, as they go to production.
Angel Tree
We will be delivering 800 books at the end of the month, to Prison Fellowship, for their Angel Tree programme, giving Christian books to prisoners’ children. It’s a fantastic way to get the good news into children’s hands, and as always, we’re delighted to be able to take part in this wonderful scheme.
The two books that have been chosen this year are The Treasure Hunt and The Birthday Shoes.
Please pray that these books will each accomplish their purpose, and through them the Lord will touch the hearts of whole families.
Books for Everyone
Do you need a book for yourself to help you through the summer? Why not visit your local Christian bookshop, or pay a visit to one while you’re away? Here’s a link to help you find your nearest. You’re bound to find something inspiring to refresh your soul. 🙂 https://www.christianweb.org.uk/uk-christian-bookshops-directory/
Most Christian bookshops stock Dernier books, but if yours doesn’t, you can order from our website.
Finally, a reminder of our competition!
Order a copy of The Treasure Hunt from our website before the end of August, for your chance to win a whole treasure chest of books! If you haven’t already done so, order yours here. If you don’t have anyone to buy it for, why don’t you buy it for yourself, and keep it on your bookshelf, for when you do? It’s a fun story, suitable for all the family to read together – you will love it, too.
Don’t delay, buy it today. You could be a winner of this fabulous prize… but you have to take part! 🙂
As always, thank you for your prayers and support,
Janet
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of The Treasure Hunt, now, along with your books for the children anxiously awaiting exam results. Click here to go to the Dernier website.
Concerning Changes in Culture
Dear Dernier Friends,
We have a serious problem. Children are being caught up in a whirlwind of strange ideas.
I was talking to a friend recently, who knows a child who ‘is’ a dinosaur at school. He roars instead of speaks – and he’s allowed to do this.
Imagination is a wonderful thing! But children need to know what is really true, what is fantasy, and how to successfully negotiate both.
No doubt you have heard similar stories, of children who decide to be a fox, or a cat or dog, or change from day to day, as the whim takes them, to ‘be’ a boy or a girl. Truth seems to have taken wings and flown away. It’s all about how you feel.
Right now, Christians are struggling to know how to share their faith with children and teenagers – to share the truth. None of us want to cause offence or to be culturally inappropriate… yet our hearts ache for the new generation, as we see these alarming changes take place.
What can we do? Of course, the number one thing we always must do, is to pray! But we also need to act.
By giving your young people exciting stories written from a Christian perspective, you are not just giving the gift of hours of enjoyment, but a beacon of truth.
As the stories speak of Jesus in an indirect, rather than in a teaching way, they allow readers to think through what they believe, for themselves.
So there’s no pressure.
Stories written from a Christian point of view are a wonderful way to share faith gently and respectfully.
We believe every young person everywhere should have the opportunity to read excellent, relevant, fun stories written from a Christian perspective, so they can make up their own minds about what they believe.
Want to become a secret children’s/youth worker?
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Write a list of children/families you’d like to share your faith with
2. Order them a book each, according to their interests and reading ability
3. Pray for them, as you give out your books.
Let’s work together to be salt and light in this dark world!
We’ve had some amazing feedback on our stories – here are three quick quotes:
“I would happily read this book over and over again!” – Caitlin
“Another brilliant adventure!” – Matthew
“This is the best book I’ve ever read!” – Emily
Click here to go to get started on your secret mission!
Or, of course, visit your local Christian bookshop – they would love to see you. 🙂
The summer holidays give us a unique opportunity to reach out. Let’s not miss it – it’s too important. Do it now, while it’s fresh in your mind.
And may the Lord receive all the glory,
Janet
P.S. The competition I previously mentioned, to win a treasure chest of books, is in place until the end of August. Imagine how many lives you could change with that! More details here.
It’s Competition Time!
Dear Dernier Friends,
Hope you are well and enjoying the summer so far.
We have some good news – a COMPETITION for you!
The Treasure Hunt has arrived, in plenty of time for your family summer reading… and it looks great!
We were wondering how to celebrate, and have decided to set up a competition:
Buy a copy of this exciting story from our website, and you will be put into a special draw to win
A fabulous Treasure Chest of 18 Dernier books worth £99.99!
Plus FIVE runners up will each win a £5 voucher to use on any book purchased on our website.
Clink this link to order your copy of The Treasure Hunt now!
When you buy a book, you will automatically be entered into the draw, which will take place on 1st September 2023. If you are a winner, we will let you know.
You will love this book for 8-12s! Who is in the back of the white lorry, and why are they there? Four children from a church youth club work together to work out the mystery and… well, we’ll let you read it for yourself! (Kids love it.)
*RETAILERS* You are very welcome to join in this competition and we have another one specially for you – contact us for details and quantity discounts.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for the process of getting this books back out in the world, after a number of years of being out of print. Your support is hugely appreciated – we have to fight for every step, because the enemy doesn’t want our young people (the church of today as well as the church of tomorrow) reading Christian books.
So get buying, get those books into the hands of the young people you love.
Clink this link to order your copy of The Treasure Hunt now!
Lots of love to you all in Christ, and as always, in His service,
Janet
P.S. Do feel free to share this competition with your friends. There’s a link on our facebook page so you can tag friends, and of course, you can forward this link to as many people as you wish!
Seeking Treasure?
Dear Friends,
Once again I’m writing to you from a sunny desk, on a beautiful day. I love this time of year when it’s warm, everything is green, and flowers of every size and colour are blooming for us to enjoy. How wonderfully the Lord made everything! Even when we get rain, it’s warm rain, bringing showers of blessing (generally!).
Although we rejoice in all that the Lord has done, we can’t help but notice the darkness that is gathering around us in our culture, particularly as regards our children.
But I don’t want to talk about that – you hear enough about that in the news!
Books Are a Link in a Chain
If you have young people in your family or church (or anywhere!), do consider buying them a book that finishes with hope!
Your gift could be an important link in a chain, to bring life and restore true joy. What about to bless someone who’s finished exams?
It’s possible that the book might be ignored and never read… but it might be read many times and become a favourite: a friend on the bookshelf, a beacon of light.
Is it worth the risk and the cost? Well, our books start at just £5.99 for a paperback…
And at least they will know you cared enough to buy them a gift! Plus, who knows, perhaps it will be found next year, or the year after… or exactly when it’s needed.
We may find it more and more difficult to share the good news of Jesus with children as time goes on, but books can say it for us, simply and easily, in a respectful way which means that readers are able to make up their own minds.
The new The Birthday Shoes is an excellent choice for 7-10s, or if you have readers who love exciting mystery adventures, The Treasure Hunt is now available to pre-order on our website (released on 1st July).
For 10-14s, Revenge of the Flying Carpet is a fun story, or there’s the ever popular Beech Bank Girls series.
Why not try out Rebecca and Jade: Choices, for 13+, or The City Kid?
Nobody’s Dog is still a favourite for family bedtime reading for younger children!
You can check out all these books here, and lots more, with free shipping to UK addresses, or order them from your favourite bookshop if you prefer.
Works in Progress
I’ve already mentioned that the updated version of The Treasure Hunt is now available to pre-order, with its theme of people trafficking, and everyone matters. Do take a look! These issues are important for our children to read about, from a Christian perspective… all wrapped up in an exciting story!
The book is in the new, larger format, with dyslexia friendly font and some fun images at the beginning of every chapter…. Mystery in the Snow will be next, and Harry’s Midnight Adventures, by Eleanor Watkins, which features a hamster who loves to escape!
Please do pray for these projects. 🙂
Kenya
Have friends in Kenya? Someone was asking me recently, if they could buy our books in Nairobi – yes, you can! This is the link to the CLC bookshop where they are available. The books available are The City Kid, Year 0033, Nobody’s Dog, Oliver’s Secret, and I Want to Be an Airline Pilot. To order the books you want, for schools, churches, or individual use, follow this link. Or pop into the CLC bookshop: Muthoni Omahangu and her wonderful team will be ready to serve you! The shop is in the Adams Arcade, Ngong Road, Nairobi.
The Future
Do you see a time coming when you may not be able to speak freely from your conscience, about your faith and beliefs? There may come a time when we are not be able to publish books with content we would want to… we may have to change certain things to fit in…
A friend, who takes assemblies at a local school, told me, “We have permission to sing a song at the beginning and end, but they have to be about God, rather than Jesus. At the end, we say, ‘now I am going to say a prayer and if you want to make it your prayer you can say Amen at the end’.
The lovely thing is, they are still able to share Bible stories!
Things are changing, but there are still opportunities. Let’s use them.
Love to you all,
Janet
P.S. Do come over to our facebook page, to keep in touch with news on a more regular basis. 🙂
And don’t forget to buy your books, now, for the young people on your heart. They could change lives.
The Ups and Downs of Life
Dear Dernier Friends,
Summer is coming, along with warmer weather and exams!
I hope you are keeping well and enjoyed the coronation of our new King? Pity it rained!
Every season has its good things and struggles, doesn’t it – at least while we wait for the new heavens and the new earth…
One thing is for sure, our children need encouragement and hope right now like never before. Time and time again I hear of one child or teen after another struggling with mental health issues, and I’m sure you have, too. Perhaps even in your own family or church. Even the royal family aren’t exempt… wouldn’t it be great to be able to give the new generation of royal children copies of our books! If you have any ideas how to do this, please do let me know. 🙂
How we need to pray for them all.
If you think a Dernier book might help a child you know, don’t hesitate to order one now, either direct from us, or from your local Christian book shop. A story can reach in and touch our souls like nothing else can – especially when the Holy Spirit is at work!
All our stories are fun, and filled with hope… which will stay with your young readers, long after they put the book down.
Worried about offending? All our books are respectful and the message wound in to a good story. If you’re not sure, why not read the book first? If you need any help choosing for a delicate situation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to help you.
Who will reach the children, if you don’t? Your gift could mean life.
Schools/Teachers
We currently have a campaign, reaching out to Christian schools, to let them know about our books. If you are a teacher at a Christian school, or would be interested in books for your school, please sign up here to receive regular offers and discounts.
If you’re not a teacher, please would you pray for this venture? Thank you!
The Birthday Shoes is now Available to Order!
This fabulous book by the popular Mary Weeks Millard, went out of print a couple of years ago, but is now once again available to order! Yaaayyyy!!!!!
Did you love it first time round? This edition is larger, with pictures at the start of every chapter, and has a dyslexia friendly font/layout.
But most importantly, Emily Jane’s adventures will inspire your girls to walk with Jesus.
Get your copies here for all the girls in your life.
You won’t regret it! (Perfect for girls 7-10.)
More Updated Books Coming
Instead of working on new stories, right now we’re working on updating some of our older books. Some have new covers, some don’t, but they all have the same easy-to-read format, pictures at the start of chapters (for younger readers) and a larger size. We want to do everything we can to make the books as attractive as we can, so you can sow them in as many places as you can.
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot won’t have a new cover, but the new edition is looking good!
The Treasure Hunt will be available from 1st July. It’s a really exciting story, which benefits from a fabulous new cover by the talented Katy Hollamby, who is currently also working on Mystery in the Snow. Suspicious Deliveries will follow that – this is a brand new story with the same characters. More about that another time!
Please do pray for all these projects. The enemy doesn’t want children to be drawn to Jesus.
Before I go, do you have a teen/young adult you’d like to bless? Here’s a review of Year 0033 I found on Amazon:
“Wow! Here’s an absolutely brilliant and gripping read, to recommend to your church youth group or purchase for a teenager (or adult) you know!
I won’t give too much away about the story but it’s set in a time where religion is banned for the sake of world peace & the World Council are in charge.
Cella, the heroine, has lived her whole life in Area IF208, one of the many Areas set up by the new World Council after war, famine and plague cause global devastation.
But when Cella’s best friend disappears, her fiancé is arrested and astonishing rumours of people living ‘Outside’ surface, she must decide either to stay put or to risk trying to escape from the only life she’s ever known.
This book is well written and although it’s almost otherworldly, it feels heart-poundingly plausible throughout & very thought provoking! In the uncertain times we live, this book is an invaluable reminder that no matter how dark the night, we need to keep looking upward and trusting in God!” – Tangerina
Click here to order your copy.
And that’s all for now! Thank you for the opportunity to support you with good books for your children – the church of today and the church of tomorrow.
Be in touch again soon,
Janet
P.S. Don’t forget, you can get all our books from any bookshop. 🙂 Don’t put it off. Your children’s faith is too important.
Easter – the Greatest Gift of All
Dear Friends,
Easter is a time for grateful reflection, as we consider once again the death and victorious resurrection of Jesus. As we buy chocolate and eggs for friends and family, and plan our Easter meals, our hearts turn to those who do not know forgiveness of sin, the freedom we have in Christ, the joy of his living presence with us, the sure and certain hope of final resurrection on the last day.
Would you like to buy books to give the children in your family/church this Easter, to encourage them in their faith? There really isn’t anything more important, is there?
Bookshops can help you choose, or here are some suggestions from our own range of titles:
For 6-8s: Nobody’s Dog (dog and boy) or Oliver’s Secret (cat and girl)
For 8-11s: Living in Hope or The Dove Stone
Fopr 10-14s: Revenge of the Flying Carpet or A New Me
For Teens: The City Kid or Rebecca and Jade: Choices (one of the girls in this book becomes a Christian following an Easter service!)
For young adults: Year 0033.
Who knows what your gift might do, watered with prayer? Don’t leave it to someone else – they might not come. Or perhaps your book will be a vital link in a chain. Make sure you do your bit and be the blessing. 🙂
Nobody’s Dog on Audiobook
If you haven’t downloaded your copy yet, you can do so from many different platforms, including Audiobooks.net. You don’t have to subscribe to a monthly membership – you can buy just this one book and enjoy as many times as you like!
Why not listen as a family over Easter, and learn about prayer and trust, with Luke and Bushy? 🙂
Kenya
It’s not too late to buy a book for rural schools in Kenya. This is a wonderful way to be a blessing, if you haven’t got children in your own church or family to buy for. Read more here.
The Birthday Shoes
We have the proof copy of the new, large version, with images for each chaper, and it’s looking brilliant! As soon as it’s available to pre-order, we will let you know.
Same with The Treasure Hunt and I Want to Be an Airline Pilot, which will be following in due course.
Please do pray for all these initiatives, that it will mean more books into more young hands.
May the blessing of the Lord be on you and your family this Easter.
May all the glory go to him!
Together in His service,
Janet
P.S. You can find all your Easter book gifts here. If you need any help choosing, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 🙂
Helping You With Your Outreach
Welcome to the latest Dernier news – there’s so much to tell you! Whoever is on your mind right now (kids/teens) we hope to be able to help you reach out to them.
Here we go!
Nobody’s Dog
Nearly there with this fab audiobook! Your children will love this. I will send you the link as soon as it’s available. If you’d like a paperback copy, you can order it from any bookshop. (Don’t forget to support your local Christian bookshop, if you are fortunate enough to still have one.)
Updating Older Titles
We are in the process of updating several of our older books. These include The Birthday Shoes, I Want to Be an Airline Pilot, and The Treasure Hunt.
You are going to love them! We hope to have them all ready for you by April.
All the books will be in the new, larger format, with clear, dyslexia friendly font and images at the beginning of each chapter. They are looking GOOD, and will be there to inspire a whole new generation of readers. Yaaayyyyy!!!
PLUS The Treasure Hunt also has a fabulous new cover, with cover illustrations by the talented Katy Hollamby! Don’t you just love these four? 🙂
Mystery in the Snow will also be getting a new cover, and there will also be a BRAND NEW mystery adventure later this year… this book will be particularly good for children who are adopted or fostered.
Right now:
Do you want books for school leavers, libraries, class readers, Sunday School classes, refugees to your area, or for Easter outreach/holiday clubs/missions?
NEW! We have quantity discounts here on our website, so if you want to buy several copies of a book, you can do a bit of saving. (We all need that these days, don’t we?)
If you need more than 30 of any title, please get in touch – we’d love to help you with whatever group you are looking for, if we possibly can.
Do you have refugees from Hong Kong? Oliver’s Secret would be a brilliant choice – perfect to welcome them to your church! Claire has a Chinese mum and has recently moved to England from China… she misses her old friends and is worried about making new ones. There’s a gentle message about answered prayer – just right for those on the fringes of church life.
Are you looking for an individual child with a birthday coming up? Flick over to the home page and have a browse. Don’t put it off! Before you know it, the moment will be lost.
We recommend: The Dove Stone for 8-11s/family reading. This is our newest book and getting some great reviews. (It’s also great for schools, who have to demonstrate that they offer Christian material.) We recommend The City Kid or Year 0033 for teens/young adults and Nobody’s Dog or Oliver’s Secret for new readers. And of course there’s lots more choice… You can even buy a whole treasure chest packed full of priceless goodies. 🙂
Children so badly need the encouragement, hope and fun that Christian books can bring. Well, not just children, their families too! Books are such a wonderful way to introduce readers to Jesus in a sensitive and non-threatening way.
Right, I’d better get on! Any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here for you.
Every blessing,
Janet
P.S. If you haven’t got anyone to buy for, but want to help, it’s not too late to donate a book for a rural school in Kenya (see last month’s email). Every one of your books will go to needy schools unable to afford to buy books for themselves – they appreciate it so much! All donated books are printed in Nairobi, which also benefits the local economy. Thank you for caring.
Kenya Book Launch
We had a wonderful time at the Kenya Book Launch yesterday! Huge thanks to Muthoni from CLC Kenya for hosting – what a cheerful, friendly host! Thanks too to our authors for taking the time to come and share their stories with us.
Unfortunately many people were unable to access the live link, but you can watch the recording on Facebook.
Kenya Book Launch Recorded!
Dear Dernier Friends,
The Kenya Book Launch went very well – thank you so much to all of you who prayed. I can’t tell you how much your prayers are appreciated – without the Lord we can do nothing, and we know how much the enemy doesn’t want to get Christian books into children’s hands.
Really sorry the live link wasn’t working – I know many of you tried to access it but failed – that was disappointing. 🙁
So sorry about that, we never did find out why. But we did have a great chat, and it was recorded, hurray!!!!!!!, so at least you can watch the recording. You can watch it here.
It’s on my personal Facebook page, as for some reason FB won’t let me post to the Dernier page. Something else random, but hey, there’s usually a way round these things… we will not be defeated!
Muthoni Omukhango, National Director at CLC Kenya, was a brilliant host and the chat was fun and inspiring, with lots of fascinating insights into the authors’ lives and background to the stories – some of it was new to me, too!
We’re soooo delighted that now these five books will be available to children in Kenya. Please pray for an outpouring of grace.
If you’d like to be part of it, and donate beautiful brand new books for needy Kenyan schools, please click here for how you can do this. The needs are overwhelming. Even if you can’t donate right now, please do read the report and pray for the #readtolead project. Many people are struggling to make ends meet here in the UK, but the Education Bridge Africa report shows poverty on a scale we can barely imagine. Education will help children living in the informal settlements get out of the poverty trap – reading is a huge part of that, and some schools have no reading books. Not a single one!!!!
Here’s a quick snippet from the report:
“READ to Lead was envisioned after a needs assessment on learning outcomes in marginalized and informal settlements-based schools. Most children, many from poor backgrounds were performing poorly at the classwork and in the national exams. Lack of English comprehension was discovered to be one of the barriers to understanding other subjects. EBA wanted to close the barrier by offering supplementary books including storybooks.”
Important, isn’t it? Such a great project. Especially as it’s not just education, but the books hold a message of the eternal good news – what an opportunity.
Thanks so much, once again, for your brilliant support!
Together in Christ,
Janet
P.S. The recording is also on Muthoni’s page, so you can watch it there, too. It’s already received over 600 views! 🙂
2023!
Dear Friends,
It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with you over the last year, to help you get books into the hands of the children you love and are concerned for.
Isn’t it just brilliant to be working together in the kingdom of God? What a privilege!
May your stories be a blessing to everyone who reads them! May the Lord open readers’ hearts, and draw them into His love.
Please be assured, we will be praying – not just for those who received books for Christmas, but all through the year. 🙂
Our children are the church of today, as well as the church of tomorrow. We need to make sure they have all the encouragement they need to be filled with hope, grow in faith and walk in the love of God. There’s nothing more important than that, is there?
Please pray with us that next year, together, we may be able to get thousands more books into thousands more hands, all over the world, to sow seeds, change lives and bring glory to God.
There are still too many children who don’t know that God loves them, and are struggling with various issues. We long for all children, everywhere, to have access to stories that will stir their hearts and give them the opportunity to respond to God’s love and grace. This is our hearts’ desire, and I know it’s yours, too, or you wouldn’t be here!
So please don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you reach out to the children on your heart in 2023.
Finally, let me wish you a very Happy New Year!
In Christ,
Janet
Books in Kenya, The Dove Stone ebook and a Treasure Chest!
Dear Friends,
I do hope things are going well for you, and that you are standing firm through all the changes that are happening around us. Whatever happens in life, we have this as our firm assurance – the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our defender. Underneath everything, his everlasting arms uphold us.
Treasure in Dark Places
Book sales have dropped dramatically in the last few months, as people are grappling with the cost of living. Books have become a luxury for many families… but children need them just as much – how are we going to get them into young hands?
Here’s an idea: a treasure chest of Christian books, for you to lend out!
You get the treasure chest itself FREE (fabulous sturdy box with magnetic clasp) – and it’s filled with treasures of eternal value…. all you pay for is the books, hehe! 🙂
Why not buy one to keep at home for your children/grandchildren to read and lend to their friends, or for your church, or for your Boys and Girls’ Brigade/children’s youth group meetings? You can then lend out the books, and borrowers can choose the one they want to read. So lots of children can enjoy these fun stories and feed their spirits at the same time – children who may not have access to Christian books any other way…
Perhaps your church might buy a treasure chest, or a group you belong to sponsor one for a foster family or a children’s club… or even to give away at an alternative Hallowe’en party to bless families?
The whole package is £94.99, so it really is excellent value (the chest contains 17 titles). Perhaps your church, or a group you belong to, might sponsor a chest? Stories change the way we view the world.
They really are treasure in dark places. Buy yours here. Don’t let your children miss out. This really is an excellent resource.
Christian Bookshops
You can, of course, buy all our books from Christian Bookshops. Do support them if you can. So many have already closed down all over the country. It would be such a terrible shame to lose their Christian witness in our towns and cities. They don’t just sell books – most have a fab selection of cards, music, mugs, jewellery and other gifts, advent calendars, candles, devotionals, diaries and calendars, Sunday School materials and so much more. How about doing your Christmas shop there? You are sure to be able to buy inspirational gifts for many on your gift list – you can even buy Christian socks – I bought my husband a fun pair last year, with sheep on them, to remind him of the lost one which was found (sheep not sock, hehe)!
(I hope you don’t mind me talking about Christmas – it is a bit early, but it was on my mind. :-))
Launches
We have exciting news for you – we will shortly be having a Big Book Launch of Dernier books in Kenya! Working with Muthoni Mercy and her team at CLC Nairobi, we will shortly have five books for sale – The City Kid, I Want to Be an Airline Pilot, Year 0033, Oliver’s Secret and Nobody’s Dog.
So if you have friends/family in Kenya, do let them know. More details to come, but basically, anyone even from the UK, you will be able to buy books to send to friends or family (or schools/churches you have contact with) in Kenya, easily online! Or buy in Kenya, of course.
This is a real answer to prayer – thank you if you have been praying. We appreciate it very much.
We will be having an online launch, so you will be able to come, too, meet some of the authors, the CLC Team and we all can celebrate together!
As soon as I have a definite date, I will let you know, so keep a look out for the email.
The Dove Stone ebook
We will also shortly be launching The Dove Stone ebook! Again, I will keep you posted with the date. So if you need a story in a hurry, it will be there for you.
And that’s it for this month!
Every blessing to you as you walk with Jesus. And don’t forget your Treasure Chest of books. 🙂
Thanks for being here – without you we wouldn’t exist.
Janet
Janet Wilson, Dernier Publishing.
Kindle Books for 99p!
Dear Friends,
The summer is almost gone and the children will be back at school soon.
This is a memorable time of year for me. It’s my birthday on 1st September, so as a child I looked forward to my birthday all through the summer holidays (which seemed sooo long!), then when my birthday was over, a pit of dread in my stomach took over, as the new school term approached.
I didn’t like school – I wasn’t very good at mixing, and had very little confidence. Thankfully, the Lord has worked a miracle in my life, although I haven’t forgotten the feeling!
Now I love to think of children being encouraged and inspired by our books, just as I was inspired by the books I read as a new Christian.
Exciting, isn’t it? Books really do change lives. And nothing is impossible with the Lord!
Kindle Books
As I’ve mentioned before, we have decided to put all Dernier books on kindle for 99p, as my birthday gift to you in these difficult times.
Just for 1st September 2022 (my 60th birthday, I might as well come clean!).
So whether you need a bedtime story for your own children, or want to send a story to someone you love… or if you just want to check them out, please do go over to Amazon’s kindle store on 1st September, where you can find all our kindle ebooks for 99p.
Not all our books are on kindle – you can check out the selection here:
Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has a Story
Beech Bank Girls, Making a Difference
Beech Bank Girls, Christmas is Coming
Beech Bank Girls, A Time Remembered
The offer is worldwide, though, so wherever in the world you live, you will be able to get them for a similar price.
They can be read on any digital device – and as children/teens love their phones, tablets and laptops, that kind of works well. 🙂
We hope this means that whatever your financial circumstances, you can may be able to afford at least one book to thrill your children and encourage them to walk with God. Or feel free to stock up and buy them all for all the children on your heart!
(And of course you can still buy Dernier books from us or from Christian Bookshops, if you need a ‘proper’ book.)
So until next time, enjoy the stories. May they be a huge blessing to all who read them!
Janet
P.S. Know anyone else who might be interested? Please do feel free to spread the word.
All the Latest News!
Hello and welcome to the Dernier Publishing newsletter. Thanks for being here – I appreciate it so much.
I don’t know about you, but a couple of years ago, when we had been in lockdown for a couple of months, I was wondering when/if we would all be able to go back to ‘normal’.
Who would have thought, two years on, that we would still be struggling with coronavirus?
There is now a kind of permanent, grinding uncertainty about our future. Will the pandemic return with other strains? Will vaccinations be able to keep up?
At the beginning of the pandemic it hit home to me in a big way that we only have today. People younger than me were dying. I learned, with fresh insight, to pray as Jesus taught us, Give us today our daily bread. It’s a good prayer, and a good way to live. Especially now, with the new uncertainty of the Ukraine war and the thought of nuclear weapons at the back of everyone’s mind.
But we know that all things are in the Lord’s hands, and if he has given us life today, we need to consider how best to use it. Today is a gift!
Your priorities will be different from mine. Maybe yours are friends, family, church, missions? Plus of course work, neighbours – and paying the mounting bills!
For me, as well as all these things, I want to help you get as many books as possible, into your children’s hands. My mission is to provide you with the tools.
Could you or your church buy books for school leavers, for a neighbouring school? Or for children at summer camps and clubs? If you would like quantities, please contact me – I’m sure we can find a way to help you, whatever your budget. Who knows what the Lord might do through your gift?
Or maybe you just want a book to read to your kids in the half term holiday?
Here’s the honest truth – we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but there are things we can do today. Better not put them off.
Choose your books today.
Wonderful News!
Here’s some wonderful news – you can now pre-order The Dove Stone! Yaaaaayyyy!!! This book has been a long time in coming, but now, at last, here it is. Thanks so much, if you have been praying!
“Join Doran, Rhiannon and her faithful dog, Wolf, in this action-packed adventure about friendship, facing fears and finding faith, set in the wilds of northern England in post-Roman Britain.”
It really is a fab story – do get one to read and pass on. You’ll love it!
It’s equally suitable for boys and girls.
As an introductory offer you can buy 5 get 1 free (why not set up a book club?) or a massive 30% off if buying 30 for a school.
Release date is 11th June, and these offers will then go away, so order your copies now and you’ll be the first to get your books!
The author, Pam, has long been involved in teaching, and has made sure the book is perfect for schools to use in their curriculum. As always, there are discussion questions to go with the book.
Here’s what one young reader said:
“I think The Dove Stone is inspiring because it shows that even thousands of years ago, God was listening. I found it fascinating learning about how Christianity came to Britain and I would love there to be a sequel! I really liked the characters because I could imagine being friends with them (although maybe not Torsa!) and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next in their adventure. I found it really sad when Pilot died but I am glad Doran got to stay in the village in the end.” – Ellen
A couple of teasers there for you! 🙂
Here’s where to order your books.
Writers for a Reason Unite
Do you aspire to write fiction for children/teens? Would you like some help? I run a membership group called Writers for a Reason Unite, which is open for new members until 19th May.
Follow this link for more details, or tell your writer friends! It’s great fun as well as helping you get your novel done.
Any questions, please do feel free to get in touch.
Christian Writers and Publishers Unite
It was a pleasure and privilege to travel to Hungary last month to Littworld, an International conference for Christian publishers and writers. I ran two different workshops – one on audiobooks and one on creating engaging characters for children’s books.
While there, I met publishers and writers from many different countries, including Ukraine. Children there learn to speak English at an early age, so I gave a pastor from Irpin a handful of our books (it was all I had with me).
Would you pray with me that those books will bring a little bit of light in the darkness? I’d love to do more. Would you pray with me for opportunities?
Thank you so much, once again, for being here – don’t forget, before you go, to get your copy of The Dove Stone!
Love to you all in Christ,
Janet
All the Latest News!
The last few weeks have had their share of problems… I went down with a virus, the storm damaged our garden office roof (where I work), our internet went down, and we got locked out of the Dernier website!
With all these things, we are truly grateful for your prayers, because we are now all pretty much back to normal. No more am I working with a tarpaulin flapping over the roof! That was a bit hairy, to say the least. I almost wondered at the worst hours of the storm, if the office might take off, with me still in it, hehe. 🙂
On to some very good news:
Nobody’s Dog will very soon be available in Italian! I have seen a preview of the cover, and it’s beautiful! We are so delighted that this lovely book will now be able to be read by children/families in Italy. Italy is a country with very few evangelical Christians, so publishing is a bit of a risk in financial terms. Please pray the book will sell well, and also that readers will learn about prayer and trust in God in readers’ hearts, as they read about Luke and the sad dog in the park.
Congratulations to author Eleanor Watkins, and to Angelica Perrini for all her hard work on the Italian translation. 🙂
Click here to buy the English version, or, of course, you can buy it from any Christian bookshop.
World Book Day
World Book Day has come and gone. Did you do anything special?
I did some talks for children via Zoom, organised by the Christian Teachers Association. Shout out to the amazing Ijeoma Nwaneri who worked so hard to make it all a success!
Here’s a little clip from one of my talks, which was entitled:
“We Don’t Do Religion! Why real faith matters in real life, and why it should matter in stories, too.”
I’m a Christian, and when my children were at school, it surprised me that there were very few books with characters who are Christian – who go to church, or to a church youth club, or who pray or read the Bible.
I’m sure lots of you pray and go to a temple, or a synagogue or a mosque or a church. Faith is a part of your life for at least some of you, I’m sure. But you’d never think so, from the books in the library!
I couldn’t find stories where faith is a normal part of life. The characters did all sorts of exciting things, but not a single one ever prayed!
Don’t you think that’s really strange? It’s like faith had been taken out of books and disappeared! It’s as if faith doesn’t exist in real life, but it does!
It was lovely to see the children’s smiling faces, from as far away as Tanzania. I do hope they enjoyed their time learning about why faith is important in stories, as well as looking at writing and the publishing process.
The children asked some great questions!
The Dove Stone
Once again we ask your prayers as this book goes through typesetting, proofreading and printing. Thank you so much! It will be such a relief to have the copies in our hands after such a long time working on it. Please pray for author Pam Daunton, as she plans to get it into as many young hands as possible. 🙂
Books for Easter
Easter is fast approaching. Is your church organising an outreach for children? If you would like books to give away, so the children can take the message home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Book of the Month
Book of the Month – A New Me. As a special this month, we are offering 20% off this fab book by Edwin Roy Jones. Simply use the coupon code MANM2022 at checkout. If you know a child going through a tough time (for reading ages around 9-13), this is the perfect book for you. Jess doesn’t get everything she wants, but she does find new life in Jesus, after joining the local church youth club. Her new friend, Aidan, who is a Christian, befriends her, and so she finds a new hope after living through the break up of her parents.
Thanks so much for all your support and prayers. One by one, children are hearing the good news of Jesus through story. If, while you’re reading this, a child comes to mind, buy the book quickly, before you forget!
Blessings to you all,
Janet
P.S. In your prayers for Ukraine, please can I ask you to pray for Christian publishers there, for protection and deliverance, and that they can get back to their vital work of equipping the church as soon as possible? I heard from Andrey, a colleague from Esdras (Ezra) Publishing in Kiev, at the beginning of the war, but have not heard since. Words just aren’t enough, sometimes, are they? Thank you.
World Book Day!
New Year 2022
Dear Dernier Friends,
I wonder what 2022 holds for us all? One thing is certain – the Lord will be with us. He will never leave us or forsake us, and for that I’m sure we are all very grateful. May He lead and guide us!
As I look back over the last year, I want to thank you for your prayers for us as we help you reach the young people on your heart.
Our lovely new boxes full of books are going to churches and families, with massive potential to encourage and inspire readers of all ages.
Each holds a copy of just about all our books, so something for everyone. 🙂
Oliver’s Secret, our second book for 6-8s, was released. Yay! The main character, Clare, recently moved from China to England… just as many Christian families have been moving to England from Hong Kong. What excellent timing!
Year 0033 stayed in the top ten books in its category on Amazon for several weeks. 🙂
Books were shipped to all sorts of locations from websites and bookshops (thank you Christian bookshops for all you do to support us). Some were bought for refugees to England. Many were for precious younger family members. Teachers bought them for schools. Several boxes went to prisoners’ children. Dernier Book Club members received a book a month, which have been eagerly read!
And we’re not stopping now…
We even have a new Book of the Month idea! We thought we’d give it a go… This month the book is Revenge of the Flying Carpet. If you buy it from our website, you can get 20% off the cover price, with free shipping to UK addresses! The coupon code you need is: JRFC2022. Simply add at checkout and give to a child you’d love to learn about grace, forgiveness, justice… and, of course, revenge.
Please pray for us as we press on with our aim of making sure every child has access to Christian books. Please pray for the Lord’s protection for us, for good health, for the technology, for our books to reach 10 X more children in 2022!
If we can help you with a project you run, with your school, church, family or ministry, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We would love to help you!
Grace and peace to you, as we serve our Lord together,
Janet
P.S. Please join us on facebook! You can find us here. Liking and sharing our posts will help us hugely. We want every Christian parent, teacher and youth leader to know where they can find good books for their children. Thank you. 🙂
December News
Hello, and welcome to our newsletter – filled this time with all the info you need to find the perfect Christian books for the children on your heart!
We’re all short of time at this time of year (24 days until Christmas, yikes!)… so what I’m going to do in this post is write a quick idea of who each of our books is suitable for, so you can pick the absolute perfect book for each one of your readers.
Young people deserve to hear the good news – and story is a wonderful way to share it… so let’s dive straight in:
Perfect for 8-11s who love history, and any child who is going through separation from loved ones (Ben’s dad and brothers go off to war.)
For 10-14s from a deprived background who feel stuck. Jess’s dad drinks, but she finds new life.
For 8-11s who suffer from anxiety, night terrors and panic attacks, whose fears control their lives. Abi begins to find light in her darkness and a freedom she never thought possible.
For teen girls needing to make good choices about friends and relationships. For those who have made mistakes, assurance that there’s always grace and a way back.
For 10-14s who are angry about life being unfair, and those who are bullied.
For 8-11s who feel that life can be very unfair, and those who are not looked after by their biological parents.
For 8-11s. We don’t always get what we want, but God knows best. Encourages friendships and respect with others from different backgrounds.
The Beech Bank Girls Series
Through all the storms and joys of life, God is working out his purposes. Loads of issues are covered in these fun stories, including body image, relationships, step-families, grief and loss…and much more.
Every Girl Has a Story: God-given friendships are vital to see us through the storms of life.
Making a Difference: We don’t have to wait until everything is right to make a difference – we can make a difference right where we are.
Christmas is Coming! The girls find out the true meaning of Christmas through a string of disasters!
A Time Remembered: Through loss and sorrow, and also the joys of life, God does not change.
For 10-14s for whom life has changed dramatically and suddenly. Maria, Emily and Arthur have to come to terms with a new reality when London is bombed by terrorists.
For teens who need to make good life choices. Even when everything goes wrong, there is forgiveness, light, life and hope… and a new start. Ideal for giving away at churches.
For teens and twenties. Encouragement for the future. Even during times of great darkness, oppression and persecution, God is still building his church. Gripping.
For 6-8s beginning to think about faith, prayer and trust for themselves. A first chapter book. Ideal bedtime story!
For 6-8s new to reading chapter books. Brilliant for any who feel lonely, to assure them that God knows our needs, before we even ask him.
For disaffected 10-14s who struggle with life, authority, and boundaries.
For 8-11s who love their friends and shoes! While out on adventures with her magic shoes, Emily Jane makes lots of friends, and discovers that she needs to ask Jesus into her life.
There are Discussion Questions for all our books on the website, so you can read them all together and make the most of every opportunity to talk about all the issues brought up by the stories – sharing your faith and building your relationship at the same time! Make this a holiday to count.
And if you’re looking for quantities for a group, let us know and we can sort something out for you.
Oh, and there’s a whole box of Christian books for families if you’re looking for a fabulous gift for a family who have several children 6+ but could no way afford to buy books for themselves… read more about that opportunity here.
Right, I must go – happy choosing! Let me know if you need any more help for a particular child on your heart. Always glad to help. 🙂
Every blessing for this precious time of advent,
Janet
P.S. You might also find loads of good deals at your local Christian bookshop, so do check there first – even if they haven’t got the books you want in stock, they can always order them for you.
Our ‘Treasure Chest’ Box of Books
Are you looking for a gift for a family or readers, for a school or church book corner, with exciting stories to grip readers? Want to encourage and inspire these precious children in their faith? This box of books is for you. It really is a treasure chest, ready to take readers to far away places… all with biblical values. Don’t let yours miss out. Get your box here.
News of the Latest Treasure!
Dear Dernier Friends,
Firstly, thank you for your prayers and support – without you we wouldn’t exist!
Real Treasure
I’ve been thinking about the pearl of great price, recently. Could anything be more important than our faith in Christ? To be a child of God, to know his presence with us, forgiveness of sin, mercies new every morning… what could be more wonderful than this?
Definitely worth giving everything else up for!
One day all worldly wealth will pass away, but no matter where we are on the rich/poor scale, if we are in Christ, surely we are the richest people in the world. Nothing else can compare with the treasure we have. 🙂
Sharing Treasure
We need to share this treasure with our children! Stories are a super easy way to do this. Stories help us make sense of the world we live in. They teach us about the world around us – the joys, the thrills, the adventures and the dangers, too! And they’re fun.
Christian books have the added bonus of a spiritual dimension. Children are hungry for it! One mum told me recently, “My son is devouring your books.” This eleven-year-old lad is growing in faith… seeds are being sown in his life for today and for tomorrow.
If you want a super fun and satisfying way to share good news with your children, to encourage and inspire them in their faith:
1. Keep a ready supply of Christian books
2. Read books together
3. Discuss books together
…Cover it all with prayer.
You don’t have to read the book to them. Simply read the same book before or after them… or catch up while they’re at school! Then you’ll be ready to discuss the issues with them over dinner, while driving them places, or at bedtime. Or if you don’t live with them (grandkids, godchildren, church group etc), set up a time to chat via WhatsApp or facetime. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Perfect!
Ready to buy a book now? Why not try a kindle or audiobook – download now and start reading (or listening!) this evening.
Don’t put it off – it’s too important.
Here are some ideas for kindle and audiobooks you could download and start enjoying immediately:
I want to be an airline pilot (on kindle) For 8-11s or family reading
The Birthday Shoes (audiobook) For girls 7-10s
Revenge of the Flying Carpet (audiobook) For 10-14s
Year 0033 (kindle) YA fiction
If you don’t need the book tonight (Christmas is coming!), you can order all our paperbacks from our website (inluding all the ones in the image above) or from your favourite bookstore. But don’t delay, or by the time you get round to it, your children might have grown up! 🙂
Treasure Chests
Talking of Christmas (we’re allowed to now it’s November, right, hehe?) are you looking for a gift that can be enjoyed by a family (or church family) again and again, that will be a blessing over and over?
Our fabulous box of books is for you!
You not only get a discount on the price of the books, and free shipping, but the price also includes a smart box, with magnetic closure – it really is a bit like a treasure chest!
We can send to any address for you. It’s the perfect gift for a family who wouldn’t be able to afford it themselves. 🙂 Click here to see the box and all its contents.
Oliver is Out and About!
Oliver’s Secret is a great book for discussing faith and prayer in a way that is relevant for today’s children – and it’s out now!
If you haven’t got hold of a copy yet, you can order it here or from any bookstore. If you’d like a copy signed by the author, I’d be happy to pass your details on to Eleanor – I know she’d be delighted to do that for you. 🙂
Right, I’d better go… lovely to talk to you again. May you be blessed as we move into advent.
Janet
P.S. Any queries about the books, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Beech Bank Girls Videos!
The October Dernier Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Lots of news for you this month, as we move into the darker, colder days and nights of autumn.
Somehow, although we know it shouldn’t, the darker days can bring a feeling of sadness. Children feel this, too – we know how hard-pressed the children’s mental health service is, and it gets worse as winter presses in.
I almost hesitate to write this, as it’s so upsetting, but we heard of another local girl taking her life recently. She was 16 years old, and a talented artist, with her life ahead of her. Yet she seemed to think there was no hope. I just don’t know what else to say, except that we need to keep praying for our young people.
Hallow’een is coming up, too, with all its shades of darkness. Some kids don’t seem to mind the scariness – revelling in it, even – but others can find it deeply disturbing.
Books can change lives – that’s why we exist.
Let’s fight back and fill the world (as much as we are able!) with exciting, inspiring and encouraging Christian books that will fill our children’s minds, and our teenagers’ minds with good things.
They are sooo worth it!
If you are in the UK you can buy our books from any of your favourite book stores. Why not support your local Christian bookshop and order from them? They might even have some of our books on special offer. 🙂
If you are outside the UK, you can get some of our books through Amazon, and most on kindle.
Year 0033
Year 0033 reached third place in the Amazon best-selling charts for Christian fiction for young people last month – that’s AMAZING… and reviews have been very positive.
If you haven’t got your copy yet, you can buy it here.
If you have read it, please do post a review on Goodreads, Eden, Amazon and here on the Dernier Publishing website. Even the smallest review is enormously helpful.
The most important thing isn’t ratings, though. It’s that young people (and adults, too!) are being inspired. One reviewer said,
“This book is a very successful look into the hardship and passion that following God in difficult and dangerous circumstances can bring. The faith journey that the main character, Chella, goes on is powerful in emotion and love for the Lord. Pushing me to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters, this book is a real look into what our future world could possibly be. Though the book may be quiet, it speaks firmly to the importance of faith in God and commitment to each other within the church, both persecuted and free.”
Thanks Lynn!
You can read the full review here: https://cleanfictionblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/year-0033.html
Oliver’s Secret
Oliver’s Secret is due for launch on 1st November, and is now available for pre-order here on our website! Yay!!!
As a ‘THANK YOU’ for ordering early, you will receive a FREE book (from the Dernier range), in with your order, to bless another child. You don’t need a coupon or a special code – we will add in one of our books with every order, and send your books together on launch day. 🙂
Oliver’s Secret is a wonderful story about seven-year-old Clare, who has moved from China with her family, and who is now feeling lonely in her new home. She prays for a cat, and along comes Oliver… but who does he belong to?
The story will keep young readers guessing, and give you a brilliant opportunity to talk about the role prayer can play in our lives, and the importance of friendship (making sure no one feels left out).
This book, with its gentle message of faith, is a bit like Nobody’s Dog in style, and is written by the same lovely author (Eleanor Watkins).
It’s perfect for bedtime reading, or for a first ‘chapter book’ for improving readers. The text is dyslexia friendly, with fun black and white illustrations.
It’s brilliant for any child who is struggling with change, is feeling lonely, loves stories, or who loves cats!
One young reader said, “I absolutely love this book! I couldn’t help but smile all the way through.”
You can pre-order the book here.
The Book Club
If you are a Book Club member, check out your letter from Joy this month for a special offer! If you are not a Book Club member, but would like to join (a book a month for the incredible price of £5), simply click here and sign up. 🙂
I think that’s it for now. May your autumn days be blessed!
Janet
P.S. If you were thinking of ordering a book/books, don’t put it off. Your gift could bring life.
Show the Love
Dear Dernier Friends,
I was talking to my daughter-in-law recently, about work. She’s a nurse at a London hospital, in the children’s ITU. The work is varied – she sees children with cancer, asthma, diabetes and other long-term complaints. She also has children who have had accidents, and sadly, children who have attempted suicide (mostly teens, but not exclusively). Can you imagine? Part of me wishes I hadn’t asked, but honestly, it’s good to remember that although reaching this desperate situation is rare, childhood isn’t always the happy time we’d love it to be.
If you know a child who is going through a tough time, why not show the love and buy them a book? Just knowing you care could be a huge boost… you might even save a life.
This is our online catalogue, but do feel free to buy from your favourite bookstore.
While Stocks Last
The Birthday Shoes is getting low in stock. If you’d like a copy of the first edition, now’s your time to get one, or if your children have already got it and love it, why not buy it for their friends? Don’t miss out! Girls adore this book. 🙂
Bargain Box
Did you know we have a Bargain Box of 17 books for £84.99 (worth £107.83)? If your book shelves are already heaving, this isn’t for you! But if you have grandchildren who visit, or need presents for Sunday School children, local refugees, or to give to families who attend a group/club at your church, this Bargain Box is ideal. There’s something for everyone. 🙂
The Book Club
If that’s not for you, the Book Club is still running. Come and join us if you’d like to get a book a month for a fiver. It’s another bargain!
New Leaflets
We have new leaflets featuring all our books. If you’d like a bunch to give to your church or group, please let us know and we’ll send them to you. Thanks for your help in getting the word out there!
Young people off to uni?
A reader told me: “I finally finished Year 0033, I was savouring it and not wanting it to come to the end.” Year 0033 is the perfect gift to send to anyone off to uni…
or there’s The City Kid. Both will inspire your kids to keep walking with God, even in the godless world around them.
Oliver’s Secret
This fab book will soon be available for pre-order. Your kids will love this fun story about a cat who has a secret. Where does he go when he’s not at Clare’s house? Clare learns about answered prayer, and realises that sometimes she has to wait. It’s written by the same brilliant author as Nobody’s Dog, and illustrated in a similar style. You will love reading this to your family, or if you have an enthusiastic young reader, they will enjoy the challenge of reading this alone.
Please Pray for Dernier
Please pray for us as we step out into enemy territory. Our children are so precious, and the enemy wants to steal their joy, their faith and their very lives. Christian books can give them a perspective on life that they had never considered before, and help them make sense of their world, and their faith. It seems we have to fight for every book – but it’s worth the fight, for the sake of our children.
Thank you so much for your support – it means a lot. In return, we hope our books will be a wonderful, rich blessing to your family. 🙂
Janet
July News
Is your church looking for books to encourage your young people? It’s been a tough year for our children/teens, and they need all the encouragement they can get. Stories are a great way to bring fun, life, light and hope into their lives. All our books are great for prizes and presentations, or just a gift to say your church cares, to children you’ve been supporting over the last year or so (or you haven’t been able to support because of restrictions).
For those of you who are new to Dernier, all our books are chapter books, and are suitable from ages 6 – Young Adult. We do have discounts for churches, so please contact us if you need more info.
All our books are chosen for their biblically accurate content, thrilling stories, engaging characters and exciting plots. They do not necessarily end with ‘happy ever after’, but always with hope. They deal with all sorts of topics. Some are fantasy. Some are gripping dramas. Some are set in the future; some in the past. Some are set in the UK; some in other countries. All are fun!
Jesus told stories, because story is the most powerful tool there is to touch our thoughts and our hearts. Stories allow us to think over issues in safety, and come to our own decisions. Stories don’t judge us, make us feel guilty, or push us into things. We can read them at our own pace and in our own time. Books are a non-threatening gift, and can become friends that can be read over and over again.
With your gift, readers can join the characters as they fly to faraway places, solve crimes, meet amazing people, defeat evil, travel back in time, catch the spies, escape to safety, beat the bullies… They can also learn that they have a Father in heaven who cares for them, that God answers prayer, that he has a plan for them, that they are unique and beautiful, that their life has meaning – that it’s great to be a Christian!
It’s time to sow some good seeds – who knows what might grow from your priceless gift to the young people of your community?
You can, of course, order all Dernier books from your favourite bookstore, or from here on our website.
Oliver’s Secret
We now have the illustrations for Oliver’s Secret, by Eleanor Watkins, so typesetting is underway! I can now reveal the final cover… drum roll…
Isn’t Oliver gorgeous? 🙂 And here’s one of the illustrations, by Josh Williams:
This story is about seven-year-old Clare, who moves from China to England with her English dad, Chinese mum and baby brother. At first Clare is lonely, but there are answers to prayer – some of which are rather surprising! This is the perfect story for family reading and for new readers who like a few pictures, a simple page layout and large, clear (dyslexia friendly) type. If you enjoyed Nobody’s Dog, you will love this one! If you haven’t yet got your copy of Nobody’s Dog for your collection, you can order it here or from your favourite store.
Quick Tip – Bargain Book!
I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but some bookshops have Year 0033 on special offer right now – cheaper than our own website! So if you wanted to get a few copies for your young people for summer reading, as ‘well done’ presents for exam results, for students going off to uni or just to put away for birthday gifts (I’m not going to say Christmas!)… now’s your chance. 🙂
This book is selling really well – please pray for the young people who are reading it. It brings a message of hope despite all the trials and difficulties that come from the past to haunt us; from the present to bring us down; or from the future to steal our hope.
Here’s a review from Amazon (reviews are currently 79% 5* and 29% 4*):
“A gripping read, so many questions along the way. Twists and turns kept me up late at night, and a nail biting ending meant I didn’t get to sleep till the early hours. Dystopian fiction with a God-centred message and believable, fallible characters.” – Joy Vee
If you want to try before you buy, you can read the first chapter on our website here. Then hop on over to your local Christian bookshop and see if you can get it a bit cheaper – useful if you want to buy several copies for your young people – and it will help the bookshops, too!
Gift Cards
If you’re not sure which book to buy for a nephew, niece or godchild, you can now buy a Gift Card! You buy the card (from £6) – and your loved one can then choose their own book. We hope this will help save you that awful dilemma when you just don’t know which one to choose – and it’s exciting to be able to choose your own book. I remember the joy of receiving Book Tokens as a child and choosing in the bookshop – wonderful!
Leaflets
We have some brand new leaflets. If you’d like some to give away, to put out in your church, homeschooling group, for book bags for pupils at Christian schools… or whatever, please let me know how many you’d like and we will be delighted to send you some. Let’s get the good news out there!
Thanks so much for reading this! If there’s anything further we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Every blessing,
Janet
P.S. Please forward this to your children’s and family worker, minister or other relevant person. Some churches who don’t usually give away books, might want to do so this year. It’s a unique opportunity to reach out to young people in need.
Exciting News!
Summer has reached us at last! Isn’t it wonderful to enjoy the sunshine, which reminds us of God’s faithfulness?
I don’t know about you, but this year has gone by so far in a bit of a blur. I feel extremely fortunate to be doing a job I love, with no restrictions… I hope that you, too, will have things you can thank God for, despite all the difficulties.
New Books
We are awaiting the illustrations to go inside Oliver’s Secret, then we will be ready to go to press! As soon as we have a publication date, I will let you know. Please pray for us as we put the final touches to the book and plan the launch.
The Dove Stone, set in Lancashire in post-Roman Britain, is at the editing stage.
The Treasure Hunt is getting a new cover!
All these new books will soon be ready for you to give to the children on your heart, to help you share your faith. Exciting!
Latest Releases
Year 0033 has had some excellent reviews – most of them 5*! You can watch the trailer here. If you haven’t bought this book for your young adults, don’t delay – they will be inspired, and it’s perfect weather for reading outside! It’s the perfect gift for anyone finishing university.
Many adults have also read it and loved it, so you might like to read it first… in fact, the lady who deals with our account to secular bookshops has been reading it (how great is that?). She told me: “I am half way through the copy of 0033, a great read, I usually read crime novels, It feels very true to life at the moment, it appears to me this is where we could be heading.”
Brilliant! And if you want to know what she means by that last phrase, you need to get yourself a copy. 🙂
If you have younger readers, or are looking for exciting family reading, Nobody’s Dog is flying off the shelves and out of boxes. Early readers love this book with its fun story. Kids absolutely love stories of faith – they seem to have an innate understanding that God cares for them. Books like this fill them with joy. Perhaps you bought a copy or two back in the autumn – is there another family/young reader you would like to inspire?
The City Kid is now available worldwide. That’s cause for celebration – tell everyone you know! Every teenager should have a copy of this book. John wants nothing to do with God and spends all he has in wild living… but when everything is gone, where is there left to go?
If your church has opportunities to give books to teens in clubs, or to school leavers/young offenders, do not pass by on the other side. You will have seen images on the news recently about the awful effects of knife crime in our cities – and there are so many more issues young people face. A book can bring hope to the hopeless and light in the darkness. Each one of these young people is precious. We may feel powerless, but we’re not. A book in the right hands can change the course of a life. Samuel said about this book:
“This book was thought-provoking, because when it all went wrong for the main character and life didn’t work out how he expected it to, it was easy to relate, because this is how life really is… reading this book has strengthened my faith.”
This fast-paced read has a dyslexia friendly format and discussion questions at the back that you can use with groups.
Churches, Charities and Schools
We have a discount scheme for charities, schools and churches. If you need quantities of books, we’d love to help you. Please contact us for more information.
Book Club
Our Book Club is growing! Every month, for just £5, you get a surprise book from our range, sent to you in the post! If you would like to join, please click here.
Affiliates
For the first time ever, we have an affiliate scheme. If you love our books and would like to promote them, please contact me and I’ll pass on some more information. Thanks to Dernier fan Lucy, for making the suggestion! Lucy is mum to four children… her son, Joel, who is 11, recently read London’s Gone and said:
“I thought London’s Gone was one of the easiest to read, page-turning books I have ever read.”
You can buy your copy of London’s Gone here.
Contact us about the affiliate scheme – you can make a bit of money for yourself or a charity of your choice, while promoting Christian books. It’s win/win!
Bookshops
You can, of course, order all our books from your local Christian Bookshop. Some do mail order, if you can’t get there, or if you are not yet up for shopping in person. If bookshops are to survive, they need our support, so do consider buying from them. They also have a wide range of books for adults, beautiful cards with biblical verses, Bibles, daily reading notes, gifts and CDs. Definitely worth a visit if you can make it, or a virtual visit if you can’t!
Finally…
Please can I ask you a favour? If you or your children have read any of our books, would you be kind enough to write a review on our website? We have a new bit of software which makes it easy! All you need to do is:
- Click on the book you want to review
- Scroll down to the ‘Reviews’ tab.
- Give your star rating (1-5) and write your review in the box.
We will approve your reviews before they are published (this is to stop spammers), so you can expect to see your comments up very soon!
Thank you so much for reading this far. I hope we will be able to help you reach out to the children on your heart – it’s what we’re here for.
Be blessed,
Janet
P.S. To save you searching, this is the link for London’s Gone. This is the link to watch the Year 0033 trailer on YouTube. This is the link for the Book Club. Click here to contact us for info about the affiliate scheme or for quantity discounts. I look forward to hearing from you!
A New Year
The last year has been a tough one, hasn’t it? So much uncertainty, so many trials, so much suffering. At times it’s all seemed overwhelming.
Our children are certainly not exempt from the troubles of this pandemic, but neither are they exempt from the comfort that the presence of the Lord can bring. We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to help you bring good news to the children on your heart, through our books. What a privilege that is!
Whatever we go through, we have the assurance that our God is a faithful God. He will never leave us or forsake us. Even if we go through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear any evil, for his guidance comforts us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the light of life. He is the way, even where there seems to be no way. He is a very present help in times of trouble. God is good, all the time!
The Good Bits of Last Year!
It was exciting to be able to bring out our first illustrated book for 6-8s in the autumn. Thank you all so much for all your kind comments on this book! We’ve heard of so many families who have enjoyed sharing this delightful story together, or who have sent it to children they haven’t been able to see. Some children have got to grips with reading for the first time, and along the way have learned a bit more about prayer, trust and faith. Wonderful. 🙂
Then there’s Year 0033 – again, reviews have been excellent – most readers have given it 5*s. How vital it is that we bring hope to our young people!
Here are the links for Year 0033 and Nobody’s Dog, if you haven’t ordered your copies yet. Or if you’d like some more! (Of course you can buy both from Christian bookshops, or from wherever you usually buy your books.)
Starting 2021 Well
We believe all children should have access to Christian books in a way that suits them, in a language they understand… and we have great news for the new year! Nobody’s Dog is going to be available in Italian! More details next time. 🙂 I couldn’t resist sharing that news with you, though!
Plus we are working on more books… don’t worry, we’ll let you know when we have any release dates.
Kindle Books
Did you know that you can buy a kindle book for a young person anywhere in the world? All you need is their email address, and they can read the book on their phone! Most of our books are on kindle – do check out your favourite title. For a very small amount of money (most are just £1.99!) you could change a life.
Finally, we pray that all the books you bought last year will bring much blessing to all who read them.
I’ll be in touch again soon, but in the meantime, stay safe. God is with us.
Janet
P.S. Here are the links again to Nobody’s Dog and Year 0033. Don’t let your loved ones miss out.
P.P.S If you don’t already subscribe to this newsletter, please click here. You could win a copy of Year 0033!
Dernier Publishing Online Catalogue
Take your children on a faith-building adventure! Choose which one here:
Latest News from Dernier Publishing
Christmas is nearly with us, with all the opportunities that affords us, to reach out with the good news of Jesus!
Nobody’s Dog
If you want to encourage a family in their faith this Christmas, or reach out with hope in a gentle way, this is the perfect gift for 6-8s/family reading. Luke learns about prayer, faith and trust as the stray dog in the park learns to trust him. As with all our books you can buy it from our here, or from bookshops, or from wherever you usually buy your books!
Here are some reviews, in case you’re not sure:
“I just wanted to say that we finished the book and my daughter, Faye (7) loved it!”
“It was a lovely story, which kept [my daughter] engaged throughout and wanting to know what would happen next. We loved the simple message throughout that God answers prayer (in his own time and way) and that he is in control even when life is tough!”
We have already sold over half of the first print run of this wonderful book! 400 of these books are going to prisoners’ children via Angel Tree (part of the Prison Fellowship). Please do pray for all those who will receive a copy, that seeds will be planted that will bring joy to children who have a parent in prison.
Book Club
Our book club is well under way! Members receive a book a month for £5 – some of the books stay at home to encourage members’ children, but others are going from there to nephews, nieces, grandchildren and at least one godchild.
One book is off to New Zealand! This is a fabulous way to reach out with hope in these tough times, through story. Join in the fun here – it’s a bargain, and it’s fun, because you will get a surprise in the post every month! Plus we have a facebook group, so we can chat about the books, and pray for each other.
Year 0033
This is a tough one to advertise, because it’s my own book. I first got the idea for the story when I was sitting in my garden, late one summer evening. It gradually got dark – I could feel that darkness coming down, and it seemed to press in all round me (I was surrounded by shrubs). Then I looked up and saw the sky – not dark, as I had expected, but a glorious, almost translucent, shade of blue. And I knew I needed to write a story for young people which would inspire them to keep looking up, even when everything around seems to be falling apart.
The timing is perfect.
This is the blurb: Chella has lived the whole of her life in Area IF208, one of many Areas set up by a new World Council after war, famine and plague cause global devastation.
Religion is banned, supposedly for the sake of world peace, so Chella has to keep her Christian faith a secret.
But when her best friend disappears, her fiancé is arrested, and astonishing rumours of people living Outside surface, a new chapter in her life begins.
Chella is an unlikely heroine, battling a troubled past, a dangerous present and an uncertain future.
“Shine your light into our darkness, Lord, and by your graceprotect and deliver us from all evil this night; in the name of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray.”
Never has Chella needed to pray this prayer as much as she needs to pray it now.
She has no idea how much is at stake.
We have received some amazing reviews, including the following:
“A breathlessly good read!” – Daisy
“I read this book in just a few sittings because my heart was in my mouth.” – Catherine
“I enjoyed it so much that the only time I stopped reading was to eat.” – Elissa
As with all our newer books, this one is dyslexia friendly. You can order it here for the young people on your heart, or from bookshops and online book stores.
If someone comes to mind, get it now, before the thought goes away and the seed is never sown. You never know what might happen as a result of your gift.
Here are some more Christmas present ideas:
How lovely are the feet of those who bring good news. Simply go to the home page and have a browse!
I probably won’t be in touch again until 2021, but I hope you have a safe and blessed Christmas.
Let’s let our lights shine.
Janet
P.S. Here are the links again:
Nobody’s Dog for 6-8s/family reading.
Book Club a surprise book a month for £5.
Year 0033 for teens.
10 Reasons to Buy Christian Fiction for Your Children
Books Change Author’s Life
Author Mary Weeks Millard knows how books can change lives – because they changed hers!
She says, “I loved school, but was very shy and had few real friends. My friends were often my books! I read avidly and was introduced to Christian stories when I was in hospital for a long time at the start of my secondary school life. My Sunday School teacher realised I was bored and brought me lots of books. I was hooked! I hope my story books bring as much joy to the children who read them as those books brought to me – and they made me understand that God was a real and loving Father.”
Mary has written several books for Dernier, including A Pennyworth of Peppermints, The Birthday Shoes, and the Rwanda series, which are on special offer this month. 
Click here to take a look. They make excellent presents for the children on your heart.
#dernierpublishing #maryweeksmillard #christianbooksforchildren #africanstoriesforchildren #warstoriesforchildren #bookschangelives
Hope – an Anchor for the Soul
Good morning! It’s sunny here right now, though I don’t know for how long! I do love the sunshine. It raises my spirits and somehow brings hope with the warmth and light; especially now, in these difficult times, as the days are getting darker. How we do need hope! As a friend said to me at the weekend, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Of course, those of us who have been born again have the tremendous privilege of knowing that there is better to come – this hope is an anchor for the soul, but there are still so many people waiting to hear this good news…
I heard on Saturday evening the terrible news that the friend of a friend’s son had taken her own life – she was just a young girl. The enemy is stealing our children’s joy, light, hope and life... this is a tragedy, and we need to fight back. Too many of our young people are struggling with sadness, depression and hopelessness. Books can help. They can give a new perspective, help readers to see things they hadn’t seen before, show the way, shine a light.
One young reader, who read I Want to Be an Airline Pilot at school, said: “I recommend this book. It is a heart-warming story. This book is about a little boy’s dream to be a pilot but I think it deviates a bit (in a good way) because they have a lot of problems. But then life isn’t perfect, is it? Personally I think these kids are very brave. I think the message in this story is: even in tough situations, God will always make a path for you if you respect and pray to him.”
With all this in mind, we have a special offer for you. You can get hold of the full set of our three books set in Rwanda for the special price of £15.99 so you can bring hope to the children you love. Many people are looking for books for their children just like this, during Black History Month. What a great opportunity!
Here’s a little clip from I Want to Be an Airline Pilot:
“The next day, Sam and Shema were the centre of attention, because the news had spread throughout the village that they had managed to kill a spitting black cobra! They were heroes! As they went together to the well to collect the water, they were asked to tell the story over and over again. People were so amazed, that it made Shema realise more and more how much God had helped him, because it was a miracle that they were alive and the snake was dead, and not the other way around!”
These books have changed lives. Don’t let your loved ones miss out. Martha told us: “I really like all the books that Mary Weeks Millard has written. They make me feel very peaceful and help me to forget all my worries.”
May your life also be filled with hope, as you bring hope to those around you.
In Christ,
Janet
P.S. Welcome if you’ve joined our Book Club – we’re excited to see what the Lord will do through your books! More info here if you’ve not yet joined.
The Dernier Book Club is now LIVE!
One thing some families have in these tough times, is more time to read stories together!
In previous emails and posts on social media I’ve mentioned that we are setting up a Dernier Book Club… well as from today we are LIVE! Yaaayyyyy!
This isn’t a club where you read the book then discuss it, it’s a Book Club where for a monthly subscription, you receive a book in the post from the Dernier range of titles!
Perhaps it will be a mystery adventure for 8-11s, or a more thoughtful novel for teens… what you can be sure of, is that every one will be a fun read with good news to share.
What will you do with your books?
- You might like to build up your own library
- You might give your books away as birthday or Christmas gifts
- You might like to give your special book away to a different child every month – perhaps to remind them of what they mean to you, or for a child going through a challenging time.
Books can be vital in helping children to meet with God, learn about Him and to navigate the tough moments in life – you can be a channel of blessing with your gift.
This is the link to join/read a bit more information. We hope this will be a useful resource to help you reach out to the children on your heart with GOOD NEWS. They certainly need it right now.
Thanks for reading this post. We are so grateful to be partnering with you in sharing these fabulous stories.
Every blessing,
Janet
P.S. Here’s the link again, in case you missed it!
Dernier News!
Welcome to all the latest Dernier Publishing news!
Wow, what a time we are living in. The news has just come in that from Monday, only six people will be able to meet together (that’s in England). And we just don’t know what will happen next…
But no matter what happens, one thing remains – our God remains constant. His presence will always be with us. What a wonderful truth to rest in when all else around us is chaos.
That’s good news to share, which brings me nicely on to Nobody’s Dog, a story all about faith and trust – and a stray dog! We have just received the printed copies (after a bit of a delay) and they are FABULOUS! The books are illustrated, dyslexia-friendly, and perfect for family bedtime reading.
If you are quick you can still pre-order this book and get a chance to win a selection box of books… PLUS a free book, which is a bit of a crazy offer, but the offer ends on Sunday, so better do it now! This is an excellent story for building faith and trust in God. Children so badly need to hear this message right now. Don’t let your kids miss out.
Click here to get your copies and your chance to win the prize, too, worth – I don’t know, about £80 I think. So order now for Christmas, (hehe, sorry to mention that word in September), or for your Sunday School group, because every book you order gives you a ticket for the draw.
You can also order the book from your local Christian bookshop – they may well have other offers on, too, plus cards and gifts and Bibles and so much more – definitely worth a visit.
Dernier Book Club
We are setting up a Dernier Book Club! For a £5/month subscription you can have a book sent to you automatically every month, to build up your collection or to give away… or you can do both if you have a double subscription!
I’ll let you know when we’re live and ready to go. 🙂 The lovely Joy McIlroy, who helped out when she was on furlough, will be back with us to run the programme, so you will be in safe, friendly hands!
More Books
We have more new books in the pipeline. Please do pray for these. Year 0033, for YA girls, and The Dove Stone for 8-11s. Plus we’re working on a way to get The City Kid back out again on print-on-demand. We have a new cover for it… but we’re not there yet…
Thank You
I just want to say thank you so much for your support for us all at Dernier, as we keep moving forward by the grace of God and as a result of your prayers.
There just aren’t enough good Christian novels about! Stories are vital tools to help children meet with God, learn about Him and to navigate the tough moments in life – you can be a channel of blessing with your gift. We are here to enable you to do just that.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you,
Janet
P.S. This is the link to get hold of your copies of Nobody’s Dog and enter the free draw. Don’t miss out!
August News
As we press on in these difficult times, are you looking for ways to reach out to your neighbours and friends? So many people are looking for the way, the truth and the life, but they don’t know where to find it. Books are a great way to share your faith with gentleness and respect – they allow the reader to make up their own mind, without you having to say anything more than, “I saw this and thought of you.” Particularly when you can’t invite them to a meeting!
This includes children, who are unsettled, missing their friends, and in some cases grieving the loss of loves ones. Don’t miss the opportunity to reach out to them – who knows what tomorrow will bring?
We believe every child should have access to excellent, relevant, fun Christian books. We want to give you every opportunity to reach out with hope, life, light, faith, forgiveness and grace to all the children on your heart.
With the recent Black Lives Matter campaign in mind, do you know a black child and want to say in a tangible way that their life matters? We have several books with BAME characters. I gave London’s Gone to a black lad from church and his face was beaming as he told me about it the following week. It’s the first time he’s read a Christian book with a character he could identify with. I don’t think any of us realise quite how important this is.
Some of our books are out of print, but we still have copies of most of these:
[photo]
And Nobody’s Dog!
Our Big News and a Big Competition!
Nobody’s Dog (by the fabulous Eleanor Watkins, illustrated by Josh Williams) is now available for pre-order, which is wonderful news!
Pre-order this fabulous book about a boy, a dog, friendship, prayer and trust (Release date: September 2020) and we will put your name in a draw to WIN a FABULOUS SELECTION BOX OF 14 BOOKS!*
Every book pre-ordered from our website will give you one ticket in the draw to win, so if you order 10 books, you will have 10 chances to win. Pre-order here!
One lucky winner will win the selection box, but we will also send a runner-up prize of one FREE BOOK to the FIRST 300 people who pre-order through our website*, so don’t delay, the rush has begun. 🙂
You do not have to add anything at checkout to get your free book – it won’t appear on your order, but will be added automatically at our end, and posted with your copy/copies of Nobody’s Dog. More details here.
*UK addresses only, sorry. One free book per household – except for the lucky winner of the Selection Box!
Here’s an interesting snippet of information: Nobody’s Dog was first published by Scripture Union in 1994, but their range of Christian fiction for children gradually dwindled, as churches gave up giving out Sunday School ‘prizes’. Life has changed somewhat since 1994, so we’ve updated the text and the illustrations, but here’s a thought: Did you, or your children, look forward to receiving your Sunday School ‘prizes’? I’d love to hear from you if you did. My children received some lovely books!
Even if your Sunday School doesn’t usually give away end of year books, could your church still send the children who would have come to holiday clubs a book each? Books can be a link in a chain, keep the children connected to the church, and to God.
Who knows what a book might do? Please do pass on this idea to your church minister – they are probably so busy trying to sort out the next round of government guidelines that they may not have thought of it (I never thought I’d be saying that in a newsletter – what strange times we live in).
More News
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot Competitions
Competition entries are slower than we hoped (perhaps children have had too much school work to do at home!), but there is still nearly a month to get your entries in! If your children (or children you know) enjoy drawing, or would like to write a poem, a story, a review or a prayer, please do encourage them to take part. It’s a brilliant way for kids to engage with biblical issues in a way relevant to them. All you need to do is
- Read the book
- Draw or write your entry
- Email us the story/review/poem/prayer, or a photo of the picture they have drawn.
Perhaps this is something you could get your Sunday School/Kids Club children involved in? Books are just £2.99 from our website, or 99p on kindle, which you can also read on a phone… Deadline is 31st August.
Right, I must go! Hope you are all keeping well. If you’d like to know more about anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me. It’s always lovely to hear from you.
May you have a blessed August.
Janet
CEO, Dernier Publishing
July News
The Future is Uncertain
I don’t know about you, but I sense a feeling of uncertainty in the air again. As lockdown in the UK started to ease, we were beginning to relax… then all of a sudden we hear about a spike of coronavirus cases in Leicester, as well as in Beijing. The situation in the US continues to worsen, and such heartbreaking news comes from poorer countries. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the coronavirus in so many different ways.
Along with the uncertainty comes anxiety. Will we see loved ones again? What if we’re next? How will we cope financially? Mental health is being stretched. We are missing meeting up for fellowship and worshipping together. And we don’t know how long this is going to go on. Our children desperately need encouragement at this time.
The truth of the matter is, we don’t know who or where the crisis will hit next. There are no guarantees for the future, either for ourselves or for anyone else. Like never before, we need to be saying, ‘if the Lord wills, we will do this or that’ – and that’s maybe not a bad thing! The wonderful thing is that although we may be living with uncertainty, nothing takes our God by surprise, and we can trust Him. We have already passed from death to life! No matter what happens, our lives are in His hands.
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot
Now bookshops are open again, our books are no longer on sale on our website (please support your local Christian bookshop if you are able), except we have kept I Want to Be an Airline Pilot at half price, to encourage as many children as possible to join in the competitions.
I’ve already mentioned the competitions in previous letters, so I’ll just put the link here for you to follow for more information. In a nutshell, the competitions are brilliant for getting children to draw close to God, to be creative and engage with issues of faith… and what could be better than that? Get your children involved, if you haven’t already. 🙂
(And please pass on the link to your friends!)
Write for a Reason
If you’ve been receiving Dernier news for a while you’ll already know all about the Write for a Reason online course – God willing we will start with a new group of students next week, and it’s not too late to join. You can read more about it and register here.
If you know anyone who’s new to writing Christian fiction for children, please let them know.
This is the last time I plan to offer the course half-price, as we come out of lockdown, so if this is something you’ve been planning on doing, don’t put it off!
Please Pray
Please pray for all the books that have gone out during the lockdown. Well, not the books exactly – the readers! Some readers are facing particular difficulties – do pray that they not only enjoy the stories, but are touched by the Holy Spirit as they read. This is a tough time for children, but the books are all good fun and encouraging, too. Prayer changes things!
Nobody’s Dog
Nobody’s Dog should be out in the autumn, God willing! 🙂 Nobody’s Dog is our first illustrated book for 6-8s. Here’s a sneak preview of Luke with Mr Bronzovi. Thanks to Josh Williams for the illustrations! If you have read the digital version and have yet to give a review, I’d love to hear from you. Maybe your child’s review will make it to the cover!
Donate Books
Could you buy books to give to family, to loan to children, for chaplains, for Sunday Schools and groups, to give to neighbours and your children’s friends? Who knows how far your seeds might go, and what fruit might grow? Our church donated Dernier books to families who come to the Community Fridge. People with no previous contact with the church were excited to receive them – one mum I spoke to said her children were loving the stories! Whole families may get to read them, enjoy them, and discover the way to Jesus!
Finally
I’m humbly grateful to the Lord for allowing me my health and strength at this time when so many have suffered so much. Thank you for your prayers for me and for everyone involved with Dernier. Please continue to pray that the Lord will accomplish His purposes in and through us.
Grace and peace to you,
Janet
Founder, Dernier Publishing
Sowing Seeds with Christian Books
Be the one who buys the book who changes the life. How do you know your books will change lives? You need to keep sowing seeds. The more you sow, the more fruit will grow. Some seed will fall on rocks and among weeds… but what farmer would ever say, I shan’t bother to sow seeds because some won’t grow? We’d all starve!
Girls love our Beech Bank Girls books. Filled with fun, adventures, truth, difficult situations and faith, these girls are learning to walk with God. Let them inspire your girls, too! Today only (02.07.2020), get 10% off if you buy any of these fabulous books from our website. Add coupon code BBG at checkout.
Sow seeds in your girls’ lives. Don’t let them miss out.
“I really like all that happens in this book especially how they all work together. I think you should read it, and I think that you will enjoy it too!” – Daisy (reader
“An excellent book. Eleanor Watkins has a good grasp of the issues faced by 11-14 year old girls today combined with an ability to write for them in an engaging, interesting and relevant way. I would particularly recommend this book for girls who will be moving on to secondary school in the foreseeable future, as well as those already in years 7 and 8.” – Brenda (teacher)
“My 13 year-old granddaughter was riveted, and read through all four books about the Beech Bank Girls in the half term week that she stayed with me.” – Rosemary (grandparent)
Video Reviews
June newsletter
Dear Dernier Friends,
Thanks for coming over to read our news. You will be encouraged!
Stay Alert!
We love our sparrows! They nest in the hedgerow opposite our house, and in trees in surrounding gardens. They have their enemies, though. This year we have had an influx of bold magpies, arriving in chattering groups, plunging into the trees to steal the nestlings. Horrid!
One morning, as I was having my quiet time, a black cat slunk under the bushes, where the sparrows love to flit and quarrel. He was there so long I’d almost forgotten he was there – until he walked out licking his lips, then stopped to wash his face… oh dear. It wouldn’t have been hard for him to catch a sparrow unawares.
Then there was the sparrowhawk we caught sight of one evening, ripping up a sparrow on one of our fence posts. I know, they have to eat, too… Sigh. We look forward to a time when there will no longer be any more sorrow or sighing, and every tear will be wiped away.
In the meantime, we also have to live with our enemies around us. One of the messages of our time is to “stay alert”.
Those of us who know our Bibles are already familiar with this thought. We are told to, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1Peter 5:8, NIV)
As we stay alert and take care to avoid spreading the coronavirus, let’s also be alert, and sober, and pray for our children, and do all we can to build up their faith now, while we have the opportunity to do so. The consequences don’t bear thinking about.
Big Day for Children
Today (1st June) is Children’s Day, which isn’t the same as International Children’s Day (which happens in November!)… but still, every opportunity to remember and celebrate children and their welfare is good. 🙂 Plus, today is a big day for children here in the UK, as some of the year groups go back to school. No doubt some children will love to see all their friends again, get back to learning in a classroom setting and join in all the activities, while some will find it hard. May the Lord bless each and every one (and their teachers!), and keep them safe.
Here’s a prayer you might like to pray for children going back to school today (and in the weeks to come, as more children return):
Dear Father God,
We pray for all the children who are returning to school today, and ask for your protection over them.
We pray that the children and staff will cope well with the extra difficulties and regulations that have been put in place.
We pray for shy children, that they will not feel lonely. We pray for mischievous children, that they won’t cause problems for others. We pray for those who struggle with anxiety, that they will feel calm. We pray for those who know you, that they may reflect the light of Jesus.
We pray for a sense of peace in the classrooms, and for joy and fun in all the lessons and activities.
We would like to bring before you (mention child’s name and any issue you know they face). Thank you that you love them, and you delight to answer our prayers.
And dear Father, we pray that many children will come to know you and be strengthened in their faith, in this new season of their lives.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Competitions
If you are reading this on 1st June, head over to the Dernier Publishing facebook page, where you will find we have competitions to celebrate Children’s Day – you might win one of our fabulous books! You will need to like, share and comment on the post. Several books are up for grabs, so feel free to join in them all. 🙂 The posts will look a bit like this:
Bookshops Opening
On 15th June, some Christian bookshops will be re-opening in the UK, as the lockdown eases. Many have closed down completely over the last few years, and a whole swathe closed in January. Any remaining bookshops need our support, so if you can get to one, please do.
Half Price Books
These are tough times financially for many. As only a few children in our readers’ age category are back at school in England, and not at all in other parts of the UK, we have decided to keep all our books at half price for another few days, so if you have a Sunday School class you would like to buy for, or a group, or an individual, or a school, or a library… well, any children anywhere, now’s your chance to be the one who brings good news of peace. Like, right now!
All you have to do is choose the books. We can send them to any UK address free of charge. Simply add your chosen address at checkout.
We desperately want as many children to have access to the good news through story as possible. This is why we exist, and that is why we have this offer running. We can’t run it forever, because we have bills to pay and new books to produce. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide, so we can continue producing more books and reaching more children, as long as we can. This is the link to get your half price books. (They are just £2.99 each, but have eternal value in their pages.)
May the Lord bless and keep you, and all the children on your heart,
Janet
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Christian Books for Children and Teens; Write for a Reason; Competitions and Prizes; Building Faith in Families.
April was a full month! We started a new Write for a Reason course, which is always exciting. This course is for anyone who wants to write novels for children/teens from a Christian perspective. The need for good reading material for our young people is huge, so it’s wonderful to be able to train more writers in the art of story writing. You can read more about it here. Do pass the info on to any budding writers you know. Or maybe you’d like to have a go yourself? It seems to me that the Lord is raising up people who want to share their faith through stories for children, but anyone trying out a new skill needs to learn their trade if they want to be successful – hence Write for a Reason!
More and more former students are going on to finish their books and get them published, which is brilliant. One of our students said, “I have learnt so much! I want to keep writing and honour the Lord with what I believe he’s put in my heart.” Amen! Stories are an excellent vehicle for the Holy Spirit to touch lives – the more stories, the merrier. 🙂
Competitions
Our competitions based on the book I Want to Be an Airline Pilot are now in full swing. We are delighted and honoured that Rev Mary Hawes, National Children’s Advisor for the Archbishops’ Council, will be judging the prayer competition. Paul Kerensa, award-winning writer and comedian, will be judging the poetry competition (along with his children!). Ben and Hannah Dunnett, a brilliantly creative couple, will be judging the picture competition, and Deer Path Photography will be judging the photos. Watch this space as we appoint more judges!
It’s exciting, not just because the competitions are fun (and children need something to do at home!), but because families engaging in this lovely story will grow in faith together.
For more information about the book, the competitions, and how your children can join in/win prizes, please click here.
Christian Bookshops
Bookshops are still closed at the time of writing. Please pray for those who have a passion for keeping Christian bookshops open in the UK – they face an uncertain future. In the meantime, some have online shops, so please do use them if you can.
Coronavirus and Loss
Sadly, many children across the world will have lost much-loved grandparents and other relatives and friends to the coronavirus. Those who are not bereaved are still facing losses of other kinds (as are we all)… loss of freedom, not being able to meet up with friends and, in some cases, not being able to get away from difficult situations at home – financial pressure, hunger, mental illness, addictions, abuse… and so the list goes on.
If you know children you are concerned for, please do buy them a book – some desperately need to know someone cares, more than ever.
Books to bring hope
Books to bring joy
Books to bring peace
All our books are currently half price from our website (£2.99 each). We can send direct to any address. Or you can buy the kindle versions instantly wherever you are in the world.
For 10-14s who have no church background, The Only Way would be a good choice – it’s a fast-paced, quite short story. The lad runs away from home due to bullying. The Christian element to the story is subtle. Younger children (8-11) might like Living in Hope. Frida, from a child-led family, gets tricked into becoming a domestic servant. Children in single parent families would identify with Jess in A New Me. Her dad drinks, and the family faces eviction, even after he leaves. After a new start, Jess starts going to a church youth club where she finds out what a Christian is. Revenge of the Flying Carpet, for 10-14s, is good for bookworms from broken homes – Paul seeks revenge, but gets more than he bargained for…
If you have any queries about any of our books, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
All of them have touched lives, and are continuing to do so.
Joy on Furlough
Shout out to Joy McIlroy, who is helping us with our social media, while she is on furlough! Thank you Joy! I first met Joy many years ago at a Christian book trade event, and we’ve kept in touch since. She usually works for CWR, but as she has a bit more time right now (and lots of skills!), she has volunteered to help out. Joy is married to Doug, has two children and lives in Hampshire. If you see some interesting posts on our Facebook page over the next few weeks, it’s probably thanks to Joy! 🙂
If you have some spare time and some skills we could use, please considering volunteering. I’d particularly love to hear from a book cover designer…
(In case you’re thinking, that’s really cheeky, just to let you know that everything we earn goes ploughed back into producing more books, so we can reach more children with the good news.)
Books Going Out
These books are going out today!
Please pray for the children who will read them. Thank you! We are here to serve you and your children. Please do let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.
With love to you all,
Janet
Good News in the Darkness
When children can’t meet up with their friends or go to church clubs and groups, Christian books make brilliant presents.
A book can be a friend for the lonely. The characters can inspire, and truths can be shared through an exciting plot. A book that shares good news can be a cup of cold water to a weary soul, food for the hungry – and several hours of thrilling reading for those who just love a good story!
If you know a child who needs to hear some good news, don’t let them miss out.
All our books are still half price during the lockdown – you could save a lot of money if you are buying for a group. 🙂
And don’t forget our competitions, which are a brilliant way to get whole families engaged with I Want to Be an Airline Pilot.
Here’s a little taste of the book, from chapter seven, when Shema goes to get help for his sick brother, but finds himself in danger instead:
He wanted to try to escape and run home but as he tried to call out “help!” his voice just seemed to dry up inside his mouth. He knew, too, that these huts were away from the road and the other houses, so nobody would hear him anyway.
This time, when the tears came, he could not even wipe them away. They fell down his face and felt salty on his lips. He realised he was also very thirsty. From somewhere deep inside him Shema felt he should talk to Mister God, even though he had never met him and didn’t know where he was.
“Mister God,” whispered Shema through his dry mouth, “you gave us warm clothes and Mama Grace and the teacher both said you loved us. I don’t know how you can, but help me now, please help me!”
We are delighted that the talented Ben and Hannah Dunnett have kindly agreed to judge our picture competition, based on this exciting story! Hannah is a Christian artist with international acclaim; Ben is a songwriter and worship leader. We’re so thrilled to have them on board!
May the Lord bless you this week, and if there’s anything we can do to help in these uncertain times, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Our Children’s Security is at Risk
Security is a basic human need. We all need to know where our next meal is coming from; that we are safe from the enemy – if we don’t have these things, we are not at peace.
In the very depths of our souls we all long to feel safe and settled. We have jobs so we can provide for our family and locks on our doors to keep out intruders. The idea of ‘living peacefully under our own fig tree and vine’ is more than a bit appealing – we long for this at the very heart of our being and do our best to make it a reality.
As Christians we know that our safety and security lie in knowing Christ, our Rock, rather than relying on our circumstances. Some of us will have been saying that for years, and believing it. But right now, the carpet is being swept from under our collective feet – we are all being tested together.
Where does our security really lie? On what are we depending? What gives us peace?
All of us have been touched by Covid-19 in one way or another – and it’s unsettling. We don’t know who will be next to succumb to the virus. None of us knows what our long term future will be.
Our children are also in this with us. They are on lockdown, cut off from their friends, not knowing when they will be able to go back to their school, sports, church and groups. They are watching the scary images on the news. They don’t know who will be the next victim – will it be a loved member of their own family?
Even as I write, the dad of a teenage girl in our church is in the high dependency unit of our local hospital. Our hearts are aching for the family, and for all the thousands of families who are touched by what is for them, more than news on a screen. If this is you, I am so sorry.
We all need to know that our security is in Jesus – to know His peace. That underneath everything are the everlasting arms of the Almighty.
Our children need to know this, too.
All our books aim to build faith through the medium of fun, relevant stories. The characters in the stories have to go through all manner of difficulties, but every story ends with hope (even if it’s not the wanted or expected outcome), because that’s true to life – whatever happens we know the One who holds all things in His hands.
If you have a child on your heart right now:
2. Choose one
3. Have it sent directly to them (just put their address in the ‘shipping’ box).
We will do the rest!
Here’s some good news for you… we have started to receive entries for our summer I Want to Be an Airline Pilot competitions! It’s all good fun, and faith building, and we’re delighted to announce that the wonderful, funny, Paul Kerensa, has agreed to judge the poetry competition, along with his two children. 🙂
You can read more about Paul here on his website.
One mum said to me in an email, “Thank you for setting up these competitions. These books are such a blessing and my daughter’s favourites!!” Her daughter has entered a beautiful poem and a prayer for the children of the world.
Want your children to take part? They can, wherever they are in the world. They will grow in faith as they engage in Shema’s exciting (sometimes scary!) adventures and discover the identity of Mr God, who sorted a new top for Shema when a goat ate his only T-shirt. Click here to go to the Summer Competitions page.
The paperback is £2.99: the kindle version is instantly downloadable all over the world for around £1.99.
Entry to the competitions is completely free and there are lots of prizes!
Finally, if you have a copy of Nobody’s Dog to review, please can you send your reviews to me by Monday, please? Thanks so much! The best will go on the back cover of the book.
Right, let’s keep fighting!
Janet
Click here for the competitions.
P.S. Anything you’d like to ask, please feel free!
Why We Exist
Easter Good News?
Good morning. I hope this post finds you and your family well and coping with the lockdown. Yesterday I ‘met’ with my Bible study group on a facebook live, which was interesting! We all prayed for each other – for elderly parents, friends and family in the front line of health care, families home-schooling and so much more… I hope you are finding ways to be encouraged and find fellowship. If you have any prayer requests, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re all in this together.
Easter is just around the corner, but we won’t be able to meet in our church buildings as usual. Would you, or your church, consider giving books to church children, or children who might usually attend a holiday club?
All our books remain at half price (£2.99), and will remain so during the coronavirus crisis.
Now is the time to pass on hope at this time – all our books are full of hope, light, life and fun! We may not be able to meet together, but books are a brilliant way to get good news into children’s hands. Please pass on this information to your minister and/or children’s workers, and share on social media.
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We mustn’t miss this opportunity – people are desperate for good news. Congregations can be encouraged and whole families reached with Christian books for their children, especially as they see the church caring for their children in a tangible way.
I am going to try to set up some book-related activities for children at home. Please pray for this, too (help!), and if you have any ideas for activities/competitions, please pass them my way, especially if you are a teacher/home-schooler!
Finally, to encourage you, an excerpt from book review of Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has A Story we received this week:
“This is the best book I’ve read in my entire life and I definitely recommend it! Out of 10 I would rate it 10/10! Such a good book. I enjoyed reading it so much.”
If you have a book review, we’d love to hear from you! If you need to buy the books first, start here. 🙂
May the Lord bless you and keep you through this testing time, and if we can help you with books to reach out to the children on your heart, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Together in His service,
Janet
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Rebecca & Jade: Choices, Discussion Questions
- Rebecca and Jade are at a clinic specialising in teenage pregnancy. One of them is pregnant; the other has come to give support. Do you know any teenage girls who are pregnant, or think they could be? What advice would you give if you were asked? What could you do to support a pregnant teenage friend?
- Jade has devised a plan for her life. Is this a good idea? Why or why not? Do you think Jade’s life plan might partly be a result of her own insecurity, or do you think we should all have one?
- Jade and Rebecca are complete opposites, yet they have become close friends. Do you have friends whose attitudes, ideas, personalities and backgrounds are very different from yours? Does this help or hinder the friendship?
- Rebecca was surprised when hers and Adam’s first date was at a church youth club. Are youth clubs a good idea? Do you know of, or attend, any in your area? Do you think the church should do more to help young people? In what ways?
- Rebecca watches a film about life before birth, and her whole idea about pregnancy and choices; i.e. termination, changes dramatically. What causes the change? What are your own ideas about an unborn baby? At what point do you think the ‘mass of cells’ becomes a human person?
- Rebecca and Adam are in love, and finding it difficult to put limits on their relationship. Do you think it is OK to have sex before marriage? People sometimes say it’s OK, “if no-one is being hurt” – do you think that’s a fair statement? Why or why not? Do you think God is interested in our relationships?
- Jade was taken advantage of by an older man who deceived her about his intentions. Charm can be deceptive, but it’s not always easy to see it at the time. Have you or has anyone who know, been deceived, exploited or abused by an older man or woman? What can we do as a society to protect vulnerable girls and lads from abusive people?
- Jade is prepared to sacrifice her own privacy for the sake of Rebecca’s reputation, even though she knows there will be repercussions for herself. What do you think this says about their friendship?
- Rebecca and Adam both come to faith in God through Jesus Christ. Do you think having a faith is important? Do you think all faiths have equal value? What do you think about Jesus’ statement that he is the way, the truth and the life, and that no-one comes to the father except through him? (John 14.6)
- Does it matter if, like Adam, we have doubts about God, about Jesus, about the Bible? Do we have to get rid of all our doubts before we can come to faith? Why is it important to have someone with whom we can talk things through, maybe someone older? Is it important to meet with other Christians?
- Both Rebecca and Jade come to realise that the birth of a baby is one of the most awesome things in the world. The Bible says that every new baby is designed and created by God, and is precious in his sight – each one with individual and unique talents and of great value. What do you think of that idea?
- Do you think Jade made the right choice to keep the baby? What difficulties do you think she will face, bringing up a child on her own? What issues might the child have? How do you think the adoptive parents would have felt? If you had written this book, how would you have finished the story?
If you would like to speak to someone about any of the issues brought up in this book, please contact the author through the contact form on the Dernier Publishing website, or seek help from an adult you trust, who can put you in touch with someone to talk to.
You can also contact Pregnancy Matters direct by phone, message or text, by following this link.
Good News for Dark Times
Good morning from the quiet outskirts of London. It’s nearly 9am as I write this, and usually the road is busy, but right now there’s just the odd car passing by. These are extraordinary times, aren’t they? We need to keep praying for all those affected.
Good News of Hope – Books to Share
One wonderful thing is that few children are becoming ill with Covid-19 – what a mercy that is! Of course, children are still affected – those with underlying health problems are still at risk, they may begin to lose loved elderly friends, relatives and neighbours, and they may be stuck at home with no clubs, groups, sports and even school.
We’d love to help you if we can – not every child is a reader, but most love to have a story read to them! We’d love you to be able to share our books with their message of light, life and hope with the children around you.
At the very least, reading Christian books is something positive to do! At the very best, books change lives… a young lad at church has just read Mystery in the Snow. He told me it’s the best book. He was so excited to read about Christian kids, just like him. Who knows what will stick with him for the future?
We’ve been considering how we can best respond to help YOU and would appreciate your feedback on the following two questions:
- Who would you most like to buy books for, if money were not an issue?
- Would you be more interested in kindle books, or paperbacks?
Please contact me via email – or on our facebook page, or in the comments below with your replies to these two questions.
Thank you so much for your help. We want to make sure that what we do will meet your needs, while still managing to make ends meet at our end. Always a balancing act! 🙂
Dyslexia friendly books
Some honestly good news to encourage you. We’re delighted that some of our dyslexia friendly books have reached Star School in Rwanda. Special needs teaching is brand new for this school, so they are delighted to have some resources. Please pray these books will be a wonderful blessing to children in the schools who struggle with reading – not just that they will help with education (although that’s wonderful!) but that they would also be touched by the message of the good news. Thank you!
New Books in the Pipeline
You already know about Nobody’s Dog, for 6-8s. If we have the resources, we will also bring out The Cat with Two Lives, for the same age group. We are also working on a book for 8-11s called The Dove Stone by new author Pam Daunton. It’s set in post-Roman Britain and will feature Rhiannon and her dog, Wolf, who looks something like this:
Pam went in to a local school to talk to the children for book day. She told me, “The juniors were fascinated by my character Wolf and enjoyed thinking about the words we could use to describe him.” Pam regularly takes collective worship at the school, so the children were surprised she was talking to them about writing for a change! Please pray for us as we work on producing these new books for your children. Thank you!
Whatever is happening around us, we plan to continue bringing out books to help you reach the children on your heart with the good news of Jesus. Every book you give away has the potential to bear eternal fruit.
Please keep praying for us, and don’t forget to respond with how we can best help you with our books.
A: Who would you most like to buy books for, if money were not an issue?
B: Would you be more interested in kindle books, or paperbacks?
Thanks so much,
Janet
“No other medium can witness so daringly, abide so persistently, or influence so irresistibly as the printed page.”
Good morning and welcome to this little bit of Dernier news, with a prayer request, an inspiring (sobering) quote and an idea!
First, the prayer request. As some of you know, we are working on a couple of stories for younger children (6-8-ish). I had lots of offers to review Nobody’s Dog – I must have sent the manuscript to upwards of 30 people – I lost count in the end! Thank you if this includes you!
In this book Luke learns about trust and prayer as a stray dog learns to trust him.
Please pray many children will be touched as they read it on their own or with their parents. Please also pray that we will get lots of reviews (they really do help people choose), that production will go smoothly, and that in the future the story will be well used and loved and touch many young hearts all over the world.
Thank you for your prayers. Without prayer we wouldn’t exist!
On to the promised quote, which made me want to jump up and shout YES! when I read it in a facebook group I belong to:
“No other medium can witness so daringly, abide so persistently, or influence so irresistibly as the printed page. It can be obtained and studied secretly, get undivided attention in quiet hours, leap language and cultural barriers that hamper personal contact, go where the human missionary cannot, and it lives after the spoken word is lost.” – Samuel Zwemer
So true, every bit as much for children as adults! How many of us have pored over ‘printed pages’ which have touched our hearts and changed our lives?
If you need a book for a thirsty young soul, how about Living in Hope, set in Rwanda? One young reader said, “Everybody should read this book.” It holds words of life, and can be read over and over again. Or have a browse for, either in your local Christian bookshop, here on our website 🙂 or buy the kindle version or the audiobook.
An idea: With the above quote in mind, if your church runs children’s groups, uniformed organisations, Easter clubs, or supports a local school, would you consider giving books away? You can give a message once, or your children could take the message home with them. The ‘printed page’ could then witness daringly, influence irresistibly, be studied secretly, get undivided attention in quiet hours, leap language and cultural barriers and live after the spoken word is lost.
Contact me for quantity discounts and to help you choose the right book/s for you – we’d love to help. Cost: worth every penny.
Right, better dash – lots to do!
Have a lovely week,
Janet
P.S. Don’t forget to check out Living in Hope.
All the February News in One Place :-)
A Dream Come True!
Yippeee and hallelujah! Our first book is being printed in Kenya through our partners in Nairobi! Thank you to Grace and the team from CLC Nairobi, who have helped us to make our dream come true. Now we no longer have to ship books to this region. 🙂
We decided to start with I Want to Be an Airline Pilot. Children love this story, and I know many of you do, too. The first 100 books will go to Education Bridge Africa as a ‘first fruits’ gift. If you’d like to join us and add a book or two, or several, or 100, or even 1,000, please visit the ‘Donate’ page. Every book has the potential to touch many young lives, as they will be going to schools desperate for resources.
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In some cases, in deprived areas, the schools have no reading books! Not one! This shocking statistic shows there really is a desperate need. Education Bridge Africa have the vision to make sure every childhas access to reading books.
Your gift will:
1. Help children with their education, and so give them a chance to escape from poverty
2. Give them the joy of story
3. Show them they have a Father in heaven who cares for them.
The truth is, we can not give books away without your help. We just do not have unlimited funds. But we want to help, too, of course!
So we will match your donation. If you buy one book to give away, we will have two printed as a gift. If you buy one hundred, we will have two hundred printed. Every £5 you give will therefore supply two books.
You can visit the Donate page on our website for more details.
More Fabulous News – Mystery in the Snow in Croatian
There’s a bit of a story behind this book – I received a letter purporting to be from Parcel Force last week, saying they had a package for Dernier Publishing, but due to inadequate address details, they were unable to deliver it. I could ring the number and pay extra for delivery to another address… etc, etc… it sounded like a scam to me!
I decided to visit the depot and take the letter with me – lo and behold, there really was a parcel, which held two copies of Mystery in the Snow in Croatian!
As you know, Figulus, a Christian publishing house in Croatia, has published some of our books in the past… this is the latest.
This hardback book is a beautiful gift for any young reader – not just a lovely book with a fun story, but a story bearing good news, with characters just like them.
Please do pray for the Croatian children who read our books (Figulus have also published The Treasure Hunt and three of our Beech Bank Girls books).
According to the latest census, 86.28% of Croats are Catholic, 4.44% Orthodox, 1.4% are Muslims and 0.34% are Protestant. We pray that these little books will change lives!
(Quick question: do you think we should follow suit and bring out some of our books in hardback? Would you be more likely to buy a hardback than a paperback? Would you be willing to pay the extra cost? Let me know your thoughts.)
Writing Workshop
Attention writers of children’s stories (or anyone who would like to have a go): I am running a FREE writing workshop at the Eastbourne Christian Bookshop next Saturday morning (8th Feb), as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. If you’d like to go, there is a phone number on their website for you to register your interest. If you’re anywhere near, do come – it would be wonderful to meet you!
Hand in Hand Children’s Ministry Conference
On the same day, in the afternoon I will be speaking at the Hand in Hand Children’s Ministry Conference, also in Eastbourne. The title of my session is Exploring and Discussing Faith at Home Through Children’s Books. Sharing our faith with children is a priority, but it’s not always easy. In this session we’ll be looking at three easy ways to use books to start discussions. I will be giving out a free goodie bag of books for every attendee, so if you have anything to do with children’s ministry, do come – it’s not too late to book!
I have also been asked to speak at‘MediaFest2020’ – a European Christian publishers’ event in Prague in April – more details in due course. Thank you so much for your prayers for all these wonderful opportunities to help equip others to share the good news.
I think that’s all the news for now – you can keep abreast of news in between these newsletters by visiting the dernierpublishing.com/blog any time. And do feel free to get in touch, with any comments or queries – it’s always lovely to hear from you. 🙂
Grace and peace to you in abundance,
Janet
P.S. My eldest son and his wife live in China. With all the uncertainty, I’d appreciate your prayers for them. Thank you.
Our ‘Pilot’ Book
Hello, Janet here with exciting news… our first book will be printed in Kenya tomorrow through our partners in CLC Nairobi! We will see this sample via Whatsapp video – amazing! As a pilot (sorry for the pun!) we have chosen one of our best-sellers: ‘I Want to be an Airline Pilot’. 🙂
Children love this book! If all is well we’ll go ahead with an initial printing, which will go to Education Bridge Africa as a ‘first fruits’ gift. If you’d like to join us and add a book or two, or several, or 100, please visit the ‘Donate’ page and we will add your books to the box!
Every book has the potential to touch many young lives, as they will be going to schools desperate for resources – and it will save the shipping! In some cases, in deprived areas, the schools have no reading books! Not one! Our gift will:
1. Help children with their education, and so give them a chance to escape from poverty
2. Give them the joy of story, and
3. Show them they have a Father in heaven who cares for them.
Let’s do it!
FREE Writing Workshop
Have you ever thought about writing stories for children? Fancy attending a workshop? Janet here, founder of Dernier Publishing and Write for a Reason. I’m running a FREE writing workshop at Eastbourne Christian bookshop, as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. Love to see you there! It will be fun and informal, but with useful content. Contact me for more information!
🙂 Don’t miss out!
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot
Nobody’s Dog – Sneak Preview
We’re working on some new books – Luke learns about prayer and trusting God in Nobody’s Dog…
Here’s the first chapter, to give you a sneak preview:
Chapter 1
“There’s that dog again,” said Luke.
“Are you sure it’s the same one?” asked Mum.
“Yes,” said Luke. “I can tell by its tail. It’s got a bushy tail like a fox, with a bit of white at the very end.”
Mum came over to the window and looked down at the park with Luke. Spring was almost here, and the trees had fresh buds all ready to burst out. There were the first yellow daffodils nodding their heads in the flower beds. But it was still cold outside, and people walked along with their coats on and heads down against the chilly wind.
Lots of dogs were being walked, because it was Sunday afternoon. Some were on leads and some were off, chasing balls or sticks or just running.
But this dog was all on its own. It was a medium size dog with a feathery tail and small cocked ears. It had a brown and white coat and would have been quite pretty if it wasn’t so thin. It stood on the grass near the laurel bushes, watching the people passing but keeping a good distance from them.
“It’s a stray dog,” said Luke. “It doesn’t belong to anyone.”
“Oh, I’m sure it must do,” said Mum. “It’s just wandered off, that’s all. There aren’t any stray dogs in the park. Or if there are, the Dog Wardens will soon round them up.”
“What will they do with them?” asked Luke.
“They put them into kennels,” said Mum. “If their owners don’t come, they’ll try to find a good home for them.”
“But what if nobody wants them?” asked Luke.
“Well…” Mum looked uncomfortable. Then she said, “Luke, you’ve got action figures all over the table, and I want to set it for tea. Come and clear them away.”
Luke came and began to gather the figures together. He knew Mum didn’t want to tell him what happened to unwanted dogs. That meant it must be something nasty.
He didn’t like the thought of something nasty happening to the brown and white dog. He had seen it several times during the winter, from the window. Once or twice on his way to school he had seen it through the park railings. It looked lonely and sad, but he saw that it always kept well away from people and other dogs.
Pets were not allowed in the apartment block where Luke and his mother lived, except for little ones in cages, like budgies or hamsters. Luke had a hamster himself, round and brown, which picked up food in its little paws and stuffed it into its cheeks until they were full. Then it spat all the food out into a store it had made at the back of the cage.
Luke was very fond of Hammy, but there wasn’t a lot they could do together.
Luke liked living on the third floor of their apartment block, though Mum did not. She had put their names down for rehousing. She wanted somewhere with a garden, and hoped it would be soon. But Luke liked being able to see out over the roadway and into the park. He liked travelling up and down in the lift, and even climbing the stairs when the lifts weren’t working. He didn’t mind not having a garden. But he did wish they were allowed to keep cats and dogs.
Luke and Mum had their tea and then they went to church as usual. Luke kept a look-out for the brown and white dog as they passed the park. But the dog wasn’t about.
After church, he asked Mum if they could go into the park for a while. Mum said they could, as the evenings were getting lighter now, and they were well wrapped up.
“But stay where I can see you,” she said.
There were still people about in the park. The ice cream van and hot dog stand were beginning to pack up for the day. Daffodils were bright yellow against the grass, and tulips were showing their first bits of red. Luke ran round the circular flower-bed keeping a look-out for the stray dog. Mum turned up her coat collar and sat down to rest on a bench.
There were still some dogs about, but all of them were with somebody. Luke hoped that the Dog Warden hadn’t come and taken him away. Then, suddenly, he saw the dog. It was standing quite near, at the edge of a clump of bushes, watching him but ready to run at any moment. Its ears were down and its tail between its legs, as though it expected to be chased away. Luke saw that its ribs showed under its brown and white coat. It was hungry.
“Hello, dog,” said Luke softly.
The dog just stood and watched him. Then, suddenly, it turned and dived into the bushes. It disappeared among the dark green glossy leaves, but next moment Luke saw it come out at the back of the bushes. Then it ran off out of sight behind the shelters.
Luke parted the leaves and went a little way into the bushes, peering about in the dark green gloom. There, deep in the bushes, was a kind of scooped-out hollow in the ground. The leaves and twigs around it made a sheltered, secret hiding-place. This must be where the stray dog lived, with an escape exit at the back.
“Luke!” called Mum. “What are you doing? Come back over here, please.”
Luke let the leaves fall back and ran over to Mum. He remembered the dog’s hungry brown eyes and the way its ribs stuck out. “Mum,” he said, “could I have a hot dog?”
Mum looked doubtfully across to the hot dog stand. “I think the man’s packed up for the night.”
“Not quite,” said Luke. “If I’m quick.”
The man served him a lukewarm hot dog with the last scrapings of fried onions. Luke ran over and pushed it through the leaves, putting it on the ground just in front of the scooped-out hollow.
“Whatever are you doing?” asked Mum.
“It’s for Bushy,” said Luke.
“Who on earth is Bushy?”
“The dog,” said Luke. “The stray dog. I think he lives in those bushes. And he’s got a bushy tail. I thought Bushy would be a good name for him.”
“Oh, Luke, said Mum. “It was kind of you, but don’t ever try to touch that dog, will you? Especially if there’s food about. Dogs like that can be dangerous.”
“Bushy’s not dangerous,” said Luke. “Just lonely and sad.”
“All the same,” said Mum. “Remember what I’ve told you. That dog will probably be taken away soon. Dogs like that just aren’t allowed to run wild here, and a good thing too. Just forget about him. Come on, it’s cold and it’s getting dark.”
Luke followed her, putting his cold hands into his jacket pockets. But he knew he would not forget the brown and white dog.
New Book!
We are really excited to tell you about a new book we are currently working on, called Nobody’s Dog. This lovely story by Eleanor Watkins features a dog who lives in the park opposite Luke’s apartment, but appears to belong to nobody.
For 6-8s, this is a wonderful first chapter book for new readers, or for you to read to the children on your heart. Luke learns how God cares for him, and how He works through trials to help us trust him more.
We will keep you up with developments!
January 2020 News
Wow, can you believe it’s 2020!
Firstly, Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas and New Year festivities. Probably, if you’re like everyone else, there were lovely moments and more difficult times. Trials are part of life, and as Mr Bronzovi says to Luke in Nobody’s Dog (see below!) “…we’ll get through, with God’s help. Learning to trust him, a bit more each time.”
It’s our aim to help you reach more children than ever this year, so children know that even as they face trials of their own, God is with them.
Exciting New Projects!
This year we are planning some BIG NEW THINGS to help you reach the children on your heart:
1. BOOKS FOR 6-8s.
You have been asking for books for younger readers, so we are providing! These will still be chapter books, but they will be shorter, simpler, and have black and white illustrations. The first will be Nobody’s Dog, by the wonderfully talented Eleanor Watkins. Nobody’s Dog was first published by Scripture Union, but is now out of print. We have updated a few small things and will be making it available to inspire a whole new generation of children! This is a lovely story. We do not yet have an illustrator for this book, so if you know someone (they must have experience in the field) please contact me.
2. HISTORICAL FICTION FOR 8-11s.
We have signed a contract with brand new author Pam Daunton, for a book called The Dove Stone, which is set in post-Roman Britain. We are delighted to be adding historical fiction to our list! 🙂 There’s some work to do on the manuscript yet. We hope to bring this book out by Christmas, but no promises! I am meeting up with Pam soon, so will bring you some pictures. Are you on Instagram? If so, find me on janetfromdernierpublishing to keep up with news. 🙂
3. LARGER BOOKS
This year we are starting a project to bring out our books IN A LARGER FORMAT. The smaller format is much less popular than it used to be, so we need to keep up with trends. As books go out of print, we will replace them with a larger version… that’s the plan, anyway! Please pray with us to keep as many books in print as possible.
4 PRINTING IN KENYA
If possible, we would love to start PRINTING OUR BOOKS ON DEMAND IN KENYA, so we can more easily reach needy children in East Africa with our books. As my friend Joan pointed out to me yesterday while we were having coffee, many children in Africa are desperate to read. The need there is huge and we have lots of requests… this would mean we don’t have to ship the books, which would be a huge plus! This has been a dream for a long time – maybe this year it will be a dream come true! We would value your prayers.
5. BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS
Later this year we hope to begin a CAMPAIGN TO UK CHURCH SCHOOLS. Having our books in church school libraries would mean the stories would be available to children from every background. We hope you will be thinking of which schools you will be able to put forward for a free pack of books with all our information!
Please pray for all these wonderful projects. We would value your prayers for wisdom, strength and all the resources we need… and if you have any ideas, please do get in touch. It’s always lovely to hear from you. 🙂
Conferences
I am booked to speak at two conferences this year, so far. Next month I will be running a seminar at the Hand in Hand Children’s Ministry Conference in Eastbourne. If you are involved in children’s ministry in any capacity, do check out the link. The title of my seminar is ‘Discussing Faith at Home though Children’s Books‘. Such a vital topic!
I have also been invited to speak at the MAI Europe Mediafest 2020 in Prague in April. Details to come, but I will probably be sharing something of the Dernier story to encourage other small publishing houses from countries across Europe who do not have a tradition of Christian publishing, and maybe offer some training in story writing for children, too.
I’m very much looking forward to both! Please pray for me as I try to fit everything in… eek!
Angel Tree
Please can I ask you to pray, lastly, for all the prisoners’ children who received a copy of Under the Tamarind Tree for Christmas through Angel Tree (Prison Fellowship)? Who knows what the Lord might do through these 500 books? But we need to pray.
Thanks once again for your support, encouragement and prayers.
We are here to help you reach out to the children on your heart through story, so if there’s anything we can do, please let us know.
May the Lord’s grace and peace rest upon you now and always!
Janet
Getting Ready for World Book Day!
We are counting and packing up books for World Book Day today, to be distributed to Christian bookshops in the UK.
The cover of Mystery in the Snow is looking a bit dated, but it’s still a fun story – you will be able to get as many copies as you like on World Book Day from Christian bookshops for £1! I believe that will be Thursday 5th March. 🙂
Make the most of this great offer – and if you don’t think your kids will like the cover because it’s old-fashioned, read it to them instead!
There’s lots in this story for you to talk about (there are ten discussion questions you can download on the website here) from a Christian point of view, to help you share your faith with your children, and encourage them in their faith.
You will be encouraged, too! Don’t miss any opportunity to read Christian books with your children. It is through stories we make sense of the world!
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Our Mission Statement
Welcome to the first post of 2020!
Here is our new Mission Statement:
“Many children are growing up not knowing that God loves them; Christians have a responsibility to let them know. Stories help us make sense of the world, so we produce fun, relevant stories for children with a Christian element. These range from spy stories, to mystery adventures, to dramas and fantasy – and they all have children as the main characters!
Our aim is to get as many Christian books as we can into as many readers’ hands as we can, all over the world, for as long as we can.
We dream that one day every child will have access to the good news of Jesus through story in the language and format (traditional books, ebooks, audiobooks, large print books, Braille) best suited to them.”
We do hope we will be able to continue to support you as you reach out to the children on your heart in 2020 and in to the future.
If you have any queries or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
A Pennyworth of Peppermints Reprint
These arrived on a lorry today, unexpectedly – our new reprint of A Pennyworth of Peppermints! We weren’t expecting them until the New Year – good thing we were in the office today!
Do you enjoy reading to your family? If so, this is the perfect book for you. Kids love this story. A message in a bottle in rhyme helps three children find a spy! Also lovely for schools – there’s so a lot of fascinating background to living through the Great War, from a child’s point of view. If you’d like one (or thirty!), you can order them here, or from your local Christian Bookshops, or to wherever you buy your books.
🙂 Don’t miss out!
Kids Excited for Christmas?
The Greatest Christmas Gift
Some children will receive lots of expensive gifts for Christmas… some not so many… some may not have anything to unwrap, but the free gift of God is salvation for all who call on him, however old they are. If you’d like a book to pass this message on, let us know by tomorrow, and we’ll get it to you first class!
Don’t Leave it Too Late!
Know a Child Going Through a Tough Time?
Reading Aloud
Did your mum read to you when you were little? Or your dad? Or anyone else? Who was your favourite? We would love to hear your memories! 🙂
Don’t forget, many of our books are now available as audiobooks. There’s something wonderful about hearing a story with a human voice, don’t you think? 🙂
Why not try this one? Great for 10-14s who believe in justice… you will enjoy it, too! 🙂
Angel Tree
We were delighted to receive this in the post – we’re so pleased to be working with Prison Fellowship, and specifically Angel Tree, with Christian books for prisoners’ children this Christmas. It’s too late to donate for this year, but if you’d like to donate a book for next year, or a hundred books, or 500 books, let us know. Your books will bring encouragement to someone missing their mum or dad, and sow seeds that may even spring up to eternal life. 🙂
Last Newsletter of 2019!
Hello and welcome to the last Dernier Publishing newsletter of 2019!
This is such a busy time of year, so I will be try to be brief, and will concentrate on the two things we really want – 1. to get our Christmas presents done, and 2. to remember what Christmas is really all about. 🙂
Holding on to Jesus
In this crazy season, we are all rushed, but why not take the time this advent to give a book to read or to read a story, with the children on your heart, and discuss the issues of faith that come up? Most of our books have discussion questions online that you can print off. You know what: there will never be a better time than now. The only right time is now. Don’t put it off. Every day matters.
You may have to be inventive. You could read a book via Skype if you can’t be present in person. Or send the audiobook and listen to the same chapter so you can discuss it after.
With the proliferation of Christmas Eve boxes, how about including a Christian book, if reading a story through advent isn’t possible? The Birthday Shoes or Living in Hope would be brilliant choices, or Beech Bank Girls, Christmas is Coming.
We need to bring Christ into Christmas ourselves! Where there’s a will there’s a way. If you would like to give books to children who attend a church group you run, and finance is an issue, let me know and I’ll do my best to help.
Christmas Presents
All our stories are available as paperbacks (from any bookstore), kindle books (instantly downloadable from Amazon to read on any digital device) and audiobooks (various, including Audible, iTunes and Google Play).
Here are the links to some of our paperback books on our website (feel free to check them out here then buy from your Christian bookshop):
Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has A Story
Beech Bank Girls, A Time Remembered
Beech Bank Girls, Christmas is Coming
Beech Bank Girls, Making a Difference
All these books are fun, inspirational reads for 10-14-year-old girls.
Deepest Darkness. Gripping story full of adventure. Perfect for children who get anxious.
Exciting stories set in Rwanda – great for family reading, and a wonderful reminder that material possessions aren’t the most important things in life!
The Birthday Shoes. Fun adventure story for 7-10s who might be wondering what a Christian really is.
Revenge of the Flying Carpet. A good choice for 10-14s who care about justice.
Rebecca and Jade: Choices. For teenage girls. Relationships are important to us all, and the choices we make affect our lives…
The Only Way. Gripping, brilliantly written story. Perfect choice for boys and girls with little or no church background, or who are finding church boring. For 10-14s-ish.
A New Me. Engaging story for 10-13s. With no church background, Jess finds new life in a new place.
All our books are equally suitable for church or non-church children. Any other questions, or if you’d like quantity discounts, please don’t hesitate to contact me – I always love to hear from you. 🙂
I probably won’t be in touch again until the new year (gulp!), so let me take this opportunity to thank you for your support for Dernier over this last year. Your prayers and support have made an eternal difference to children all over the world, as they find Christ and are strengthened in their faith.
May the joy of our precious Saviour, our ever-present Emmanuel, fill your hearts this Christmas!
Love to you all in Christ,
Janet
P.S. I’ll bring you all the plans we have for next year in our next newsletter, when we’re all a bit less busy. 🙂
P.P.S. Please share with anyone you know who might be interested – the more children we can reach with the good news through story, the better. Thank you!
New Titles
We are going to be bringing you new books next year! 🙂 As soon as we have the contracts in place we will give you more details. Please pray for us as we make a start on these new additions to our list. Thank you so much for your support. Oh, and one of them features a dog, as requested! You will love him, I promise. 🙂
Books to Scotland!
Review of Deepest Darkness
Sarah and her son George sent in this lovely review of Deepest Darkness:
“We both give the book 5 stars. I liked the simple way God was introduced and discussed. In our family, three of us want to go to church and talk about God often. George and my husband are unsure so he found he could relate to Abi’s uncertainty. I also liked the short chapters – we read about 5 an evening.
George is obsessed with animals so he loved all the references to bears and cougars etc. He liked the idea of it and the thought of spending every day on a beach. He also liked the way each chapter left you wanting to read on to find out what happened to Abi’s dad.
We read it together. George isn’t a particularly confident reader so I read to him. I thought the content was perfect especially for George who doesn’t like to be told what to believe and is very sure that he is still undecided about God. It was a brilliant way to open up the topic in conversation and for him to just be able to ponder on it and see how he felt.
We looked at the discussion questions [on the website], but we found we created our own discussions along the way which were similar to the questions.
We very much enjoyed spending this time together. With two younger siblings, we don’t have many opportunities to spend time just the two of us. His brother and sister would play in their rooms whilst George and I read – something we never get to do. It was just lovely to spend one on one time together as well as to be able to talk about issues that often upset him.” – Sarah H
Thank you Sarah and George for this lovely review.
Buy this book for a child on your heart. Don’t let your children miss out. Sow seeds while you can – who knows what fruit might grow?
Christmas Gifts
Have you started to think about Christmas presents? We all know books make the perfect gift!
If you have girls 10-14 to buy for, take a look at Eleanor Watkins’ Beech Bank Girls. There are four books in the series to keep every reader happy for hours. And be inspired in their faith…
Award!
We’re in the Together magazine (for everyone involved in the Christian book trade). Here’s proof we are award-winning publishers! ?
Thanks to Torch Trust for the award, and for everyone who helped make this possible.
We are delighted to still be helping with files and audio, to help make our books accessible to children with sight loss.
Every child is precious!
International Day of Children
Today is International Children’s Day, but some don’t have story books. We’re doing what we can, but it feels like a drop in the ocean. Every child should have books to read! Books bring life and fun – they help with education, and inspire readers to dream and see what’s possible.
Please pray for all the children, all over the world, who are reading our books today, and for those we could be reaching, that they will be able to get our books into their hands. Thank you!
If you’d like to help, we have a donate button. Or if you are visiting a school/children’s home in a place where you suspect there may not be many books, why not take a pack with you? They will be so appreciated, and will go on to benefit generations to come.
Under the Tamarind Tree for Children of Prisoners
Black Friday
Dernier Publishing is not going to be participating in Black Friday this year, so if you want to buy books from this website or from Christian bookshops, you can do it any time between now and Christmas, knowing the price will be the same. Feel free to share this post, and thank you for your custom – may all the children you buy books for be blessed!
Books for Christmas
Don’t forget to check out our catalogue for books for your children this Christmas!
Dernier Publishing Online Catalogue
Christian books change lives, not just give enjoyment for a few days. Not saying it’s not great to have fun and celebrate – but balance is good!
Happy shopping!
Deepest Darkness Review
“The message of freedom and light was clear. This is a really well written and entertaining story.” Katie read this with her 11-year-old son. Want one? Order here, or buy from your local Christian bookshop. Don’t leave it – time passes so quickly!
Readers with Sight Loss
Sadly, not all children have story books available to them, for lots of different reasons. We are proud to work with Torch Trust to make our books available in Braille, large and giant print, and on audio. (We even got an award for it!) So if you know children in the UK with sight loss, get in touch – they can enjoy all Dernier stories.
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Books for Education Bridge Africa
Today we packed up a box of books for children in Kenya who don’t have story books. Thanks to all who have donated books! 50 books will soon be on their way for the #readtolead project, for children in desperately poor schools. Please pray they will be well loved and used!
Box of Books for African Children in Need
#readtolead
Dernier Publishing is delighted to be part of the #readtolead project with Education Bridge Africa. Education is a way out of poverty for many children, and reading is a big part of that (as well as being fun!). If you’ve been receiving our newsletter for a while, you will have seen some of the moving stories and photos of children in desperately poor circumstances, so happy to receive our books. For some of them, this will be the first story book they have ever held.
Recently Dr Loise took a selection of our books to the Joy Town School for children living with disabilities in Thika. (You may have heard about Thika, and its famous flame trees!)
These children were apparently delighted to receive our books – do pray for them (and for others who have received our books. These children (below) are from Rwanda).
We are sending a Christmas Box to Education Bridge Africa. If you would like to be part of this wonderful ministry, please find thedonate button and give whatever you wish via PayPal (you don’t need a PayPal account to use this service – you can pay by debit or credit card if you prefer). Every £5 you donate will buy one more book to put in the box. I hope to send a full box next week, so please send in your donations by the end of the week (Friday 8th), or they might not make it for Christmas.
Thank you!
Writing for Young People
Do you write Christian novels for young people? Looking to take your writing to the next level?
Janet Wilson, founder of Dernier Publishing, is running an online course called “Easy but Brilliant Ways to Make Your Story Fun” for £1 until 16th December.
October News
Good News!
Now Halloween is over (phew!), the nights are drawing in, and like it or not, we can’t help but start thinking about Christmas. The real message of Jesus coming to us is such good news (light in the darkness!), but it’s not always easy to share it with the younger generation, is it? We know we need to, and we want to – it’s just finding a way!
There is so much confusion among our young people, all of them desperate to be loved, to have value and for their lives to matter. They are looking to find acceptance and peace in so many ways that will never truly fulfill.
We know Jesus is the answer!
In my parents’ day, most children went to Sunday School and were given a book prize in the summer, so they took the good news home with them. Times have changed, but the need for taking the good news home hasn’t. And these days Christmas is an accepted time to give gifts.
We would love to help you give books away as gifts this Christmas, to children your church has links with – schools, uniformed organisations, clubs and Sunday School. Perhaps even to children who use your church building for their carol concert? Or who sing in the choir? Think what a difference the books could make! They have the potential to touch whole families! If you’d like to read testimonies of how our books have touched lives, there are plenty here.
If you would like to give away books, but can’t afford to buy them full price, please email me. If we can possibly help you, we will – no matter how many books you are looking for. Getting the message of the good news into children’s hands is why we exist!
We hear of too many horror stories concerning young people. Maybe with your gift you can turn lives around this Christmas. The good news of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves. The time to sow seeds is now – who knows what fruit will grow!
Christian Resources Exhibition
It was great to see our books on sale at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Surrey last month. Thanks to Dave Lock and Barry Mockford from bookshops in Streatham and Staines, who took them. Great stuff!
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Christian Bookshops
Christian bookshops do a great job, shining like lights on the High Street. If you have one near you, do support them. Some of them will have special offers for Christmas, and you can buy calendars, cards, music and gifts as well as books. If you’re anywhere near Streatham, pop in to see Dave and the crew at Manna Bookshop – you will find all our books on their shelves! If you see our books anywhere, please send in your photos – we’d love to see them. 🙂
#readtolead
Dernier Publishing is delighted to be part of the #readtolead project with Education Bridge Africa. Education is a way out of poverty for many children, and reading is a big part of that (as well as being fun!). If you’ve been receiving our newsletter for a while, you will have seen some of the moving stories and photos of children in desperately poor circumstances, so happy to receive our books. For some of them, this will be the first story book they have ever held.
Recently Dr Loise took a selection of our books to the Joy Town School for children living with disabilities in Thika, Kenya. (You may have heard about Thika, and its famous flame trees!)
These children were apparently delighted to receive our books – do pray for them.
We are sending a Christmas Box of books to Education Bridge Africa. If you would like to be part of this wonderful ministry, please find the donate button and give whatever you wish via PayPal (you don’t need a PayPal account to use this service – you can pay by debit or credit card if you prefer). Every £5 you donate will buy one more book to put in the box. I hope to send a full box next week, so please send in your donations by the end of the week (Friday 8th), or they might not make it for Christmas.
Thank you!
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Exciting News
Next year we are going to start working on a brand new project, bringing out ‘early readers’ for 6-8s. These books will be shorter chapter books than our current range, with larger print and black and white illustrations – a bridge between picture books and our books for 8-11s.
They will all be fun, relevant stories, with Christian themes.
Please pray for this exciting new development!
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Audiobooks
Don’t forget all our books are on audio, and you can buy them as gifts – all you need is the email address of the person you want to give the book to. These are perfect for children who prefer to listen than read. They can download the book and listen at their leisure on their phone/tablet or any digital device. Simply type the title of the book you are looking for into any search engine and click on the link to buy. The instructions will guide you through.
Sharing
If you have enjoyed one of our books, would you be kind enough to share it on Instagram, in a Facebook group you belong to, or another social media platform? So many Christian parents are desperate for good Christian books for their children, but don’t know where to find them. We have easy share icons on our website to help make it easy. Thank you. 🙂
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Contact Us
If you have any ideas, questions or comments about any of our books, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. We are here to serve you and the children on your heart.
With thanks for your ongoing support,
Janet
P.S. Don’t forget to email me about books to give to your schools and clubs! And do feel free to share this newsletter with your friends. 🙂
Sold Out
We have sold out of the first print run of The City Kid. There are mixed feelings – it’s great that all these books are now out in the world, but we’re sorry you can no longer order this inspiring, thought-provoking book for teens.
We will bring it out again with a new cover at some stage – possibly in 2021… we will keep you informed. Please do keep praying for the books, wherever they are in the world, that they will continue to be enjoyed, and change lives.
If you have any ideas for a new cover, let us know in the comments below!
Jesus, Light of the World
Christian Bookshops
Books Are Treats!
Christian Resources Exhibition
It was great to see our books being sold at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Surrey last week! Thanks to Dave Lock and Barry Mockford from bookshops in Streatham and Staines, who took them. Great stuff! #supportchristianbookshops #dernierpublishing #christianbooksforkids
Gifts for Special People
Could you afford to buy a Christian book every month/term for your godchild, grandchild, or your Sunday School group?
If you write a verse in each one at the front, your special people will have an amazing stack of encouragement for the future as well as the present!
Keep sowing those seeds – you never know which will grow.
(Contact us for church/school discounts.)
Children in Thika
Dernier Publishing is delighted to be part of the #readtolead project with Education Bridge Africa. Education is a way out of poverty for many children… and they are desperate for books to read.
A while ago we sent several boxes books for children in need in Kenya. Some have reached the Joy Town School for children living with disabilities in Thika. (You may have heard about Thika, and its famous flame trees!)
These children were so delighted to receive books to read!
If you would like to be part of this amazing ministry, sending Christian books to children in need, please find the DONATE button and give whatever you wish via PayPal. This is how it works: you buy the books at a discount, and we will pay for and organise the shipping, to Education Bridge Africa.
You can find the DONATE button here.
Why do we send books to schools in Kenya? Some schools are well resourced, but some are desperate for reading material for children. We work with Education Bridge Africa and their #readtolead project, which aims to make sure the most disadvantaged children have access to story books. Christian books are especially well received, as there is a strong Christian culture in Kenya. We work with Dr Loise Gichuhi from the University of Nairobi.
Please help this project! We would love to send more books, and need your financial help but if you can’t help right now, please pray that the books will be well used and loved, and will touch many hearts and lives.
Thank you!
Books Going into the Wide World
These Christian books were ordered today… they will be off to Surrey shortly, in the mail. Who will read them? Will they get passed on? How many lives will they touch? So many seeds in one small package! 🙂
#christianbooksforkids#everychildisprecious#dernierpublishing#booksmakegreatgifts#bookschangelives#sodoesprayer
Books to Bookshop
World Mental Health Day
#worldmentalhealthday If you know a child who suffers from anxiety, Deepest Darkness is a lovely book which has helped many 8-11s. Get your copy here.
Sharing Faith
Do you have this problem… you want to share your faith with your children’s friends and family, but are a bit nervous how to do it?
Perhaps you even pray with your children for their friends?
Maybe you feel a bit guilty, and would grab the chance of a non-threatening way to reach out?
Of course you will invite them to events, and be kind and caring… but sometimes that’s not quite enough, and you know it.
Giving a Christian book as a birthday present is a non-threatening way for your children to share their faith with their friends.
What do you think?
Dyslexia Awareness Week
It’s dyslexia awareness week!
We realised the importance of dyslexia friendly books a while ago, so our last few Dernier Publishing releases have had a brilliant, spacious new look inside, with wider margins, better spacing and a dyslexia friendly font.
What do you think? We’re really proud to be inclusive! #dernierpublishing #christianbooksforkids #christianbooksforteens #dyslexiafriendly #inclusive
This is the inside text for A New Me. Really easy to read!
And this is the fabulous cover!
Our other dyslexia-friendly titles include Revenge of the Flying Carpet, Rebecca and Jade: Choices and The City Kid.
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Let Your Light Shine
Thanks so much for praying for Dernier Publishing, and for your support. We are in a fight and we are grateful not to be fighting alone. We have an enemy who doesn’t want children to be inspired in their faith, to hear the good news of Jesus, to read stories of children just like them who find light in the darkness, who win through struggles by prayer and faith and have fun adventures! But we have to spread the good news to the new generation. If we don’t, who will? Some might not hear if we don’t tell them.
Last week I took part in The Turning, going out on to the streets with Christians from churches all over London, sharing the good news of Jesus. Most people weren’t interested, but some people, it seemed, were just waiting to hear! They were like ripe fruit, waiting to be plucked from the tree. A lady I was asked to follow up came to church with me on Sunday!
There is a hunger for the good news. Not everyone wants to hear, of course. So we need to spread our nets far and wide, to catch as many as possible. Could you help spread out the net? Could you buy books for your school, youth club, church children, uniformed organisation, family and friends? Could you give books away at Light Parties at the end of the month? You never know what seeds might grow from your gift. (If you need lots of books, contact me and we’ll do what we can to help with the cost.)
Prisoners’ Children
500 copies of Under the Tamarind Tree will go to prisoners’ children this Christmas, via Angel Tree (part of Prison Fellowship)! We are so delighted to be helping with this project, thanks to a generous donor. How many children will be touched by the message? Maybe all of them, by the grace of God! Maybe some of the books will be read over and over again. Maybe some of the books will be read by several members of the family. Perhaps parents/carers will read them to their children…
You can read more about the book here, so you can pray with greater clarity (and while there, why not buy a copy for a child you know, to encourage them, too?).
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Christian Resources Together
We had a great time at the Christian Resources Together trade event last month! Thank you if you prayed for us. Author Eleanor Watkins helped us celebrate the 10th birthday of the Beech Bank Girls books!
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We had some good conversations with Christian booksellers; we are so grateful to them for stocking our books in their shops, helping us reach children all over the UK. Saturday 5th October is Christian Bookshop Day… if you live anywhere near a bookshop, do support them – they do a great job in the community.
And we won an award! It was such a surprise and honour to be presented with the special ‘Accessible and Inclusion Award’ by Julia Hyde, CEO of Torch Trust, and David Shepherd, Resources Manager. It has been a pleasure to work with them. Now all our titles are available through Torch Trust as large print, giant print, Braille and on audio, so children with sight loss can enjoy our books in the way most suited to them. How brilliant is that? 🙂
Each book, wherever it goes, and in whatever format, is like a seed – some might be eaten by birds, some grow among thorns or in shallow soil… but some might grow up to bear 30, 60 or even 100 times what was sown!
Be part of it. Don’t let the ones you love miss out. Hallowe’en is nearly here, celebrating all that is dark. Let’s let our light shine!
Together in His Service,
Janet
Collection
Books waiting to be collected for Angel Tree today: final destination will be prisoners’ children. How wonderful is that! 🙂
500 copies of this lovely book are waiting in these boxes. Seeds ready to be sown. You can read more about the book here.
Please pray!
Angel Tree
We are getting ready to send 500 copies of Under the Tamarind Tree to Angel Tree (part of the Prison Fellowship), thanks to a generous supporter.
These books will go to prisoners’ children at Christmas, as a gift from their parent. How lovely is that?
Please pray for the children who will receive them. And if you’d like one the same for a child on your heart (perhaps one going through a tough time?), you can buy one here.
We can all be bearers of good news.
Official Photos from CRT and the Award!
Hi, Janet here – that’s me in the middle (below), receiving our award!
Every year Christian publishers and retailers get together for the Christian Resources Together retreat. At this event we have an exhibition, worship together, eat together, share news… and have an awards evening. Here are some of the official photos, of the Dernier stand, where we celebrated the 10th birthday of the Beech Bank Girls, and of our ‘Accessible and Inclusive’ award from Torch Trust. Thanks to Julia Hyde and David Shepherd from Torch for the amazing award, and everyone we chatted to at CRT. It’s a wonderful thing to be involved in! (Thanks to Dave Lock for the images.)
Christian Resources Together
Hello, Janet here! The last few days I have been at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, for the annual Christian Resources retreat.
As well as celebrating the 10th birthday of the first of the Beech Bank Girls books, we were surprised and delighted to receive this wonderful award for helping to get books into the hands of children with sight loss from Torch Trust! Thank you Torch Trust!
I am so grateful for my sight, and am glad to have been able to have read our books for young ‘readers’ with sight loss. We pass on all our files to Torch Trust so all our titles can be made available to children (or adults!) as large print books, Braille books, and audiobooks. It’s been brilliant to work together… no doubt about it, we can do so much more together than apart!
Beech Bank Girls are Ten Years Old!
Janet Wilson is off to the Christian Resources Together retreat next week with Dernier Publishing, and is looking forward to meeting up with talented author Eleanor Watkins and celebrating the 10th birthday of the Beech Bank Girls!
🙂 Can you believe it’s ten years since these girls began sharing their stories with us? The book (and the sequels) are every bit as relevant today as they were when they were new. You can buy the paperback, the kindle version, or get the stories on audio. You can even get them in Croatian!
Don’t let your girls miss out….
Online Writing Course
Some of you will know that Janet Wilson, founder of Dernier Publishing, set up a resource (Write for a Reason) for new writers of novels for children, in response to requests for help. Registration for the updated course, which starts on 16th September, is now open, so we’re sharing it here, in case it’s of interest to you. 🙂
Inspire the children you love with your stories!
If you enjoy creative writing, you will love the
Write for a Reason Academy
If you write/want to write novels for children/teens, and want to make them the best they can be, you will enjoy this ten week, step-by-step online course, wherever you are in the world.
Write for a Reason was set up by publisher Janet Wilson in response to requests for help from new writers. She has run courses before, but this is the most comprehensive to date, and will cover everything you need to write a successful novel for children/teens from a Christian perspective.
By the end of the course you will be buzzing with exciting ways to breathe life into your stories… PLUS you will have a complete story plan for your next novel!
If you are writing to share the good news of Jesus in some way, your novel will already be extra special, because it has eternal value, but the better written it is, the more children will read and enjoy it!
Isn’t that what we want?
In the parable of the talents, the servants who received the gifts had to put them to work… the servant who buried his talent was in trouble – don’t let that be you!
Most writers struggle on alone hoping (doubting?) their writing is good enough, but, as with any field of life, a little bit of training, support and encouragement can work wonders. Would someone called to be a counsellor start counselling without first getting some training?
- Get some training to help you with your story structure!
- Get confident in your ability to write!
- Overcome the overwhelm!
- Be the novelist you dream of being!
- Inspire the children you love with your stories!
The next course will begin on 16th September.
Registration closes on 12th September.
“Thank you for taking the time to educate those of us who feel we have a story just waiting to erupt from the depths of our souls.”~ Leilanie
This course is for you if you:
- Are new (or new-ish) to writing novels for children/teens…
- Or want to make a start.
- Love creative writing.
- Have a message to share.
- Want to learn some new ideas to help make your stories the best they can be.
- Are willing to put time in to learn your craft (around 3-4 hours a week over the next ten weeks)
This course is NOT for you if:
- You are happy with your novel the way it is.
- You can’t justify the expense right now.
- You can’t make time to spend on a course.
- You are familiar with everything we will be looking at in the course (see below)
“The course has come to an end all too soon. I thank God for you and may he keep this group of writers inspired and enabled in this work for His glory.” – Pam
Janet Wilson, founder of Dernier Publishing and Write for a Reason
Hello! My name is Janet Wilson. I’m a mum, grandma and founder of Dernier Publishing (we publish Christian books for children) and Write for a Reason.
In my role as a publisher, I have learnt a few things about great novels. I would love to pass on my knowledge to you, to encourage and equip you make your stories the very best they can be.
I am a Christian, and this course reflects that, but whatever your beliefs, you will find plenty to help you in your own writing journey.
When you sign up for this course, you will gain IMMEDIATE access to the pre-course runway, which I’ve designed to help you get ready for the weeks ahead (including some fun writing prompts!).
I hope you will join me in the Write for a Reason Academy. I would count it a privilege to help you in the next step of your writing journey.
In this course you will learn everything you need to write a successful novel for children/teens.
The Pre-Course Runway
Purpose: To get ready for the weeks ahead.
Module One: Reaching Your Target Audience
Purpose: To know who you are writing for, and get to know their world.
Module Two: Creating Your Protagonist
Purpose: To create a protagonist (main character) your readers will love and be inspired by.
Module Three: Creating Secondary Characters
Purpose: To create engaging secondary characters.
Module Four: A Look at Narrative Voice
Purpose: To consider all the options and choose your narrative voice for your next story.
Module Five: Weaving in Your Theme
Purpose: To know what your theme is, and how to make your “message” work in the context of your story.
Module Six: Creating the Perfect Setting
Purpose: To choose a great setting for your story, and build your fictional world.
Module Seven: Gripping Beginnings
Purpose: To have a gripping beginning for your story, to draw your readers in.
Module Eight: Satisfying Endings
Purpose: To work out a satisfactory conclusion for your story, that you readers will love.
Module Nine: Conflicts and Resolutions
Purpose: Work out all the terrible things that are going to happen to your characters between your beginning and ending.
Module Ten: Your Complete Story Plan
Purpose: To have a complete story plan in your hands, ready to begin writing your novel in full.
N.B. Each module will include a mixture of teaching and practical assignments. And they’re fun! Yay!
It’s time to invest in your writing!
Click HERE to join the course.
Write for a Reason Academy
Cost: £297.00
- Ten teaching modules
- Writing exercises and assignments
- Membership in a closed Facebook group
- Janet will visit the facebook group, to discuss the material and answer questions
Monthly Payment Package:
£49.00 x 6
- All the course material is the same, whether you choose the ‘monthly pay’ or ‘pay full price now’ option
- The choice is yours!
Let’s begin!
Come on in and join us! GUARANTEE
If you start the Write for a Reason Academy and find it’s not for you by the end of Module Three (as long as you have had a go at the set assignments), let me know, and I will refund your course fees. “How can they put their trust in Him if they have not heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him unless someone tells them?”Romans 10:14 (NLV)
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE COURSE
Copyright Janet Wilson, 2019 PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Angel Tree
Birthdays, Book Clubs, Beech Bank Girls and more!
September 2019
Dear Friends,
I hope you all had a good summer. I spent a week in Minehead with my sister, who I haven’t been away with since we went to Austria for a week over thirty years ago! Where does time go? 🙂
August has been a quiet month for Dernier, for sales – please pray that schools, churches and parents everywhere will see what a fantastic tool novels are for building faith. We so long to know our books are out there, changing lives. Well, of course, it’s the Lord who changes lives, but he uses our words to touch people, whether spoken or written. 🙂
Now our books are also in audio, we have a new way to reach children who don’t enjoy reading. Please pass on the good news to any of your friends who have children. Maybe you could even buy an audio book for a child/family you know? Even children who love reading might also enjoy listening to a story while on the bus or train on their way to school!
Why not try out Mystery in the Snow? All you need is the recipient’s email address, and the book is sent to them to download. They can read it on their phone – or a parent’s phone… or a tablet, laptop of computer.
Schools
Some children are already back at school – some will be heading out this week. Let’s pray for all those who love the Lord, that they will be strengthened in their faith and hold on to what they know to be true.
This term we plan to start a campaign to Christian-based primary schools, encouraging them to use our books for their children as class readers, and to make them available in their libraries. Please pray for us – for good relationships with schools, and that many will take up our books. Children from every faith and none attend church schools, so library books have the potential to be read by children from all walks of life. Perhaps the Lord will use them to bring light in dark places, to open eyes and to turn children’s hearts to Him.
Book Club
Teacher Denise (Mrs Angell!) will once more be running a book club for children in Years Five and Six this term, at a local primary school. Denise says, “Every Monday lunchtime, we looked forward to gathering to read together and share our own experiences or predictions that came to mind as we followed the character’s adventure. Being a faith-linked book club, there were a number of books representing the main faiths of the world although of the six books we read all bar onewas a Dernier book! The children made the decision! I asked which had been their favourite and there was a draw between A Pennyworth of Peppermints and The Birthday Shoes as they enjoyed the mystery of them. Between the books, we must have covered many worries that the children have or will face and I pray that they feel equipped to know that they can pray for the Lord’s help and thank Him for the good times too. I pray that my book club has planted seeds of Christian faith that will germinate and grow at some time.
We’ll start with a new group of pupils in September so please pray that they will also be touched by these wonderful books.”
None of the children has to go to this lunch time club – they choose to go. Isn’t it great that they love reading and discussing Christian books? Please pray for Denise as she once again brings stories to children, almost all of whom are not from church families.
Prisoners’ Children
Angel Tree will once again be sending out some of our books to prisoners’ children this year at Christmas (apologies for using the Christmas word in September!). We don’t yet know which titles. Please pray the right books will go to the right children, and that the Lord will use them to open hearts. Please pray, too, for the children who have received our books as gifts over the last three years – maybe the books are still on a shelf… maybe they are much loved… the Lord knows! Let’s pray that the Lord will draw these precious children to himself, each one a prisoner’s child through not fault of their own.
Christian Resources Together
Our annual trade event will take place on September 17th and 18th at the Hayes Christian Conference Centre in Derbyshire. I will be there with all our books! It’s a lovely couple of days, spending time with retailers from Christian bookshops and other retailers. We love supporting the bookshops – they do a fabulous job.
The Beech Bank Girls are Ten Years Old!
The Beech Bank Girls books are ten years old this month! It’s incredible to think that these stories have been building girls up in their faith for ten years now, and are still touching girls’ hearts today with their message of life, laughter and faith in Jesus. Congratulations to author Eleanor Watkins, who has written such enduring, heart-warming, fun and inspirational novels for our girls. May the stories carry on bearing much fruit for many years to come!
It is totally awesome to look back and see how far Dernier has come, by the Lord’s grace, in these last ten years. Please keep praying for us – who knows what the Lord might do in the next ten? 🙂 Exciting, isn’t it! Please keep buying books – we need you to get the books into readers’ hands.
Right, I’d better let you go and get ready for the new term, or perhaps your holiday, or just back to your usual day to day activities. Whatever you do, may you know the Lord’s presence with you.
Grace and peace,
Janet
P.S. Don’t forget to try one of our audiobooks!
Books Make the Best Gifts
Christian Audiobooks for Children
Let’s Pray!
Book: £5.99 | Faith: Priceless
Sharing Faith with Children
Do you struggle to talk to your children about your faith/biblical issues?
Christian books are a great way to start conversations.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose your book and order,
2. Read together or separately (as appropriate)
3. Chat about the book.
You never know what seeds might come from the characters in the stories!
It’s Raining!
It’s raining! What about a good book? How about this one? You can get the kindle version or the audiobook instantly, or order from the website for the next wet week!
Don’t let the children you love miss out on this fun story. Jesus said Let the children come to me. Giving yours a book like this is doing exactly that.
This book touches on themes of God knowing best; friendship; caring for each other; answered prayer, and racial harmony. Plus there’s buried treasure, and Joshua gets to go to The Village of the Dead Snake!
The Birthday Shoes on Audio
Want to encourage your girls to keep walking with Jesus? Try this audio book! Available all over the web, including on Google Play for a once-only purchase, if you’re not looking for a subscription.
Raining?
It’s getting towards the end of the summer holidays, and the evenings are drawing in. Time for some family reading! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to spend some time together with a fun novel, and the added bonus of spiritual input. Seize the day! The days pass so fast…
If you have 8-11s, try this one…
What about this one for 9-12s?
And there are lots more to choose from! 🙂
Beech Bank Girls
Our girls are facing all sorts of pressures from every direction.
We brought out the great fun, brilliantly written Beech Bank Girls books for you to give to all the 10-14-year-old girls in your life, so you can encourage and inspire them in their faith.
The first book in the series (Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has a Story) sensitively covers the following issues (do you know a girl going through any of these?):
- Bullying
- Divorce and separation
- Temptation to steal
- Trouble with step-families
- Doubts about faith
- Death of a pet
- Chronic illness in the family.
As you see, the Beech Bank Girls go through all the same pressures and trials many girls face – and have a lot of fun together, too – this book includes a miracle and a party, plus Annie joins the BBGs and finds faith for herself!
If you are looking for a book to build your girls’ faith, or show girls who have no church background that it’s great to be a Christian, this is the one for you. These girls are normal and fun!
“Really enjoyed it and found it helpful at the same time.” – Claire
Something is Eating My Beans! – All the Latest News from Dernier Publishing in One Place
Dear Friends,
It’s that time again! Here I am with the monthly round up of news.
Something is eating my beans!
For the first time ever, I’m growing beans in our garden. The plants are luscious, with all that sun we had and then the rain… but something is eating all the new little beans!
I need to do something to stop the creepy crawlies stealing my crop!
It made me think. Plants can look strong, but how can we be sure our children/the children on our hearts will always be strong in their faith?
We can’t, of course. Only the Lord can touch hearts, change lives.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a part to play. The Lord has chosen to use us! Scripture tells us we must talk about the Lord and His ways with our children as we walk along the road of life together (Deut. 6:7, 11:19).
This isn’t an optional suggestion, and the consequences of not doing so aren’t worth thinking about. Of course we want our children to be happy, healthy and to do well in life, but above all else, when we belong to God, we want them to know Jesus. Nothing else compares, does it?
Evangelism has to start at home. There are many ways to bring faith into conversations, and you will want to read the Bible and pray together when you can…
And there’s another easy and entertaining way to bring up issues of faith – fun, relevant Christian stories are brilliant conversation starters!
If your children don’t like reading, you can read to them, listen to the stories on audio, or buy kindle ebooks so they can read them on their phone/tablet/laptop with the free app.
You can start today! Here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose your books and order, either here or from your local Christian bookshop.
2. Read with your children, or if that’s not possible, send your gift with the message, “I saw this and thought of you.”
3. Discuss the story in person, on the phone, skype, whatsapp, instant message service…. or by letter. Where there’s a will there’s a way!
Pray and see what the Lord will do! We have had some amazing comments from parents/grandparents/carers/teachers and children who have read our books – it’s not an exaggeration to say our books have changed lives.
Whether “your children” are family, friends, church kids, pupils or friends and neighbours’ children, every one deserves to have someone talk to them about Jesus.
How will they know if no one tells them? But think what could happen if YOU DO?
Audiobooks
Know a young person who prefers to listen than read? Want them to be taking in good stuff? You can find all our audiobooks now, all over the web, ready for you to download for all your 8-16+! Pretty much wherever you usually buy your audiobooks, you can get ours – iTunes, Audible… or if you don’t want to buy a subscription, Google Play. 🙂 You can buy the books for yourself, or as a gift for anyone with an email address. Just download with the free app, press play and enjoy as many times as you like!
Sharing the Wealth
A pastor’s wife I know through social media, Claire, gave her daughter A New Me to read. This is what she said, “Just a bit of encouragement for you – my daughter has just finished reading this book… and LOVED it! She said she wished she’d picked it up as soon as I gave it to her.” Get this book from our website or from Christian bookshops. Don’t delay – time passes too quickly when they’re growing up!
The main character in this book, Jess, is from a broken home because her dad drinks, is threatened with eviction because her mum can’t pay the rent, goes to live with an elderly aunt in a village (with her mum and brother), is bullied at school, foils a cockfighting gang, and becomes a Christian! Why not buy a copy for a child you know who is going through a tough time?
Email Marketing
The time has come for Dernier to move into email marketing. We have always supported Christian bookshops, and will continue to do so, but we also need to realise that we can reach so many more children by moving into new ways of publicising our books. So I’ve set up a new email list, separate from this newsletter. If you would like to be part of it (you will receive weekly-ish emails instead of once a month) please click here. It’s exciting because I know we will be able to reach a wider audience this way, but I do hope those of you who can will continue to buy your books from bookshops – they are a great witness, and serve the community in a much more personal way than email ever can. May the Lord continue to bless the outreach of bookshops. We love them!
Summer Reading
So now it’s time to get your summer reading books, whether you buy paperbacks, audiobooks or kindle books. We have books suitable for ages from 8-16+. Time to choose!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer, enjoy lots of good books and watch your children grow in their faith!
Janet
P.S. Please join us in praying for all the children who will be reading Christian books this summer (not just ours!). May many hearts be touched, seeds sown and lives changed.
P.P.S. This is the link to sign up to receive regular emails from us, to keep you informed, and give you offers and updates.
Try Before You Buy!
Try before you buy! Get your FREE copy of The Treasure Hunt ebook (pdf) when you join our email list. Read this exciting story (featuring four children from a church youth club who solve a mystery) with your family and discuss the issues it raises. Perfect for building faith together! Or just read it on your own and enjoy.
Don’t miss out, click this link, download the book straight away and start reading at bedtime tonight!
Summer Journey Ahead?
If your kids get bored on long journeys, download one of our audiobooks! Search for any of our titles on Audible, iTunes, Scribd, Google Play (if you want a one off instead of a subscription) and enjoy together! Christian books are a great way to bring up good faith conversations, however you enjoy them. (You can, of course, get a good old fashioned paperback if you prefer. :-))
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Hottest Day of the Year!
Kids hot and bored? You can buy Dernier books on kindle and give them to your kids NOW! USE the weather and inspire them in their faith – read together, discuss the issues and multiply the good stuff! Try this one!
London’s Gone on Audiobook
More of our books are now out as audiobooks, ready for kids who are not so keen on reading, or for all the family to listen to on that long journey!
London’s Gone is the latest to hit the virtual shelves. This gripping drama for 10+ is available from your usual subscription service (eg Audible, iTunes)… or Google Play for a once-only purchase.
Don’t miss out on this fab opportunity to share your faith with your kids, and talk about the issues.
Reading Christian stories together is a great way to fulfill Scripture’s commands to talk about the Lord and his ways as you walk along in life together.
- Choose your book from our website
- Follow the link to go to the audiobook, or put the paperback in your basket
- Read (or listen) and enjoy discussing the story together!
Audiobooks!
Do your kids love to listen to stuff on their phones? But there are so many voices out there! Want to give them an exciting Christian novel to listen to? Another of our books is now on audio! This gripping novel (I Want to Be an Airline Pilot) takes place in rural Rwanda – you will love it too, so why not listen together on a car journey? You can download it from Google Play here. Or get it from audible, iTunes or from your usual audiobook platform.
Don’t leave your children’s spiritual health to chance. Do what you can now. You won’t regret it if you do, but you might regret it if you don’t.
Girls For God
If your 10-14-year-old girls love listening to stuff on their phones and you want them to keep walking with God, you can now get all these fun Christian books on audio from Google Play. We can’t change lives ourselves, but we still need to reach out to encourage and inspire! #dernierpublishing #funbooks
Don’t let your girls miss out. The stakes are too high.
- Search Beech Bank Girls audio books on your phone
2. Scroll down until you find the Google Play option of the book you want to download.
3. Click and buy!
You will now have instant access and your girls will be good to go this evening!
Oh, and 4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move. 🙂 Who knows what He might do through your gift?
Don’t Delay
More and more church kids are walking away from faith, and many young people are growing up never hearing the good news of Jesus. There are so many conflicting voices out there, leading young people in all sorts of different directions.
We publish fun, exciting, relevant, faith-building novels for you to share with the children and teens in your life, to encourage and inspire them in their faith.
Our stories are more than great stories – they change lives. You can make a difference, an eternal difference, by reading them with the children in your life. If you can’t do that, don’t let them miss out – send the books and pray.
Who knows what the Lord might do? But don’t delay. The time to sow seeds is now, because tomorrow might be too late.
Here’s what you need to do.
- Choose books for the children in your life
2. Enjoy the books together
3. Pray!
More Audiobooks for Girls!
We are delighted to bring you the second of the Beech Bank Girls books in audio format, which is brilliant for girls who love their phones!
This is the second title in the series, available from google play. Girls can now listen to this fun, relevant Christian book on their phone!
OR you can download from many different audiobook subscription services, such as Audible, iTunes, scribd and audiobooks.com. Simply put the title in the search, and up it will come!
AND/OR you can buy the paperback if your girls love to read. 🙂
However you get it, make sure you do – our girls seriously need encouragement. All sorts of voices are coming at our precious girls from all sides – these fun stories tackle issues from a Christian perspective. “My 13 year-old granddaughter was riveted, and read through all four books about the Beech Bank Girls in the half term week that she stayed with me,” said one Granny, concerned for the spiritual welfare of her granddaughter. Church girls are dropping out of church, and many are growing up never knowing that the Lord is there, He cares, He answers prayer, and he can help us, whatever sort of trouble we get into!
So buy your copy today – paperback or audiobook. You need to sow seeds if you want to reap a harvest.
Clive is Back!
Clive Lewis (author of The City Kid) is back from his trip to Uganda. Thanks for your prayers! Clive says, “I returned from Uganda last week and enjoyed great fellowship with family, friends and Christian brothers and sisters.” Clive and his team took lots of books with them – please pray they will have a good impact on readers. This picture is of Clive with the vicar of the parish of Obiya in northern Uganda which Clive’s parish supports. While there, Clive talked to Dickens Zziwa from SU Uganda, who was the recipient of a box of The City Kid on a previous visit. Clive says, “He [Dickens] said that last year’s supply had long since dispersed, and he added encouraging words about the impact of The City Kid on some young people.” Great news indeed! If you or someone you know is going on a mission trip this summer, would you buy books to take along? Please contact us for quantity discounts. Always glad to help!
Books Going Out Today
More fun, faith-building Dernier books are winging their way out into the world today! Here they are, boxed up and ready to go! If you don’t want your children to miss out, order your books today. We’d love to help you. We love our books, but what we really care about is the children who read them. – Janet
All the News in One Place!
Sharing Truth
In Deuteronomy 11, the Lord, through Moses, urges the people, concerning his commandments: “Fix them in your hearts and minds. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
This isn’t an “if you like” suggestion. The words are so familiar that they can wash over us. But it seems to me that it is deadly serious.
So many voices are coming at our children from every side. We are so busy. They have other interests. But they are being seduced away…
Could there be anything more important than to help them understand the good news, and what it means for them and us? And I’m not just talking about our own children – we are called to go into all the world… Jesus doesn’t want any of the little ones to perish.
I wish I’d had Dernier books and the discussion questions back when my children were small, and I was a youth club leader. I prayed with them and read Bible stories, but we could have gone so much deeper sharing life stories, discussing issues… and so much more, as we walked along the road together.
Don’t miss out – buy a book today for a child on your heart, download the discussion questions and get talking.
Jo read Rebecca and Jade: Choices at the same time as her fifteen-year-old daughter. She said, “I thought Becca’s journey to finding her own relationship with Jesus was brilliantly covered. The book also gave me a good opportunity to open up the subject of abortion with Abi and we had a really good chat.”
If you want to fulfill your responsibility and draw closer to your children, 1. choose your book, 2. download the questions and 3. get started!
Discussion Questions
Most of our books have online discussion questions now. The latest addition is London’s Gone (with grateful thanks to Brenda Lord for her wisdom and help). Beech Bank Girls questions coming up next! Please pray as we finish up this task, because it takes a lot of careful thought. We need the questions to be suitable for use in a school/non-church environment as well as in Christian families, so we need to be sensitive, as well as making sure we’re covering the vital points in each story.
Caroline used the Deepest Darkness discussion questions when reading the book with her nine-year-old son, Jaidon. She said, “They started some good questions and I was able to answer with examples from the book in a way that helped my son understand and relate to real life. He suffers from low self-esteem and anxieties. I was able to use Abi’s experiences of overcoming her fears, to try to get him to see how he might overcome or build upon small steps like Abi did.”
Good, isn’t it? Let’s pray for Jaidon, and for so many other children like him, who are reading our books today, and finding a gem of truth to draw them closer to God with, or without support.
Prayer Support
Prayer is so vital! When I first set up Dernier, I used to have a wonderful group of people who prayed for Dernier and the work we do, but when I moved house (seven years ago now!), it gradually fizzled out. My fault entirely. I’d really, really like to set up a new email prayer group. Prayer is so key to all we do for the children – there’s a battle on, and we need to fight in numbers! If you’d like to be a prayer supporter, I would be so grateful. Just reply to this email and I’ll set up a new group.
Audio Books
This is so exciting! All our books have now been uploaded to various distributors of audio books, and one by one they should become available within the next 40 days to download online all over the world. This is brilliant, because they can reach a whole new audience – children who don’t enjoy reading, and for families to listen to together. Kids love to listen to stuff on their phones – what could be better than a Christian book? 🙂
At the time of writing, only A New Me, A Pennyworth of Peppermints, Revenge of the Flying Carpet and Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has A Story are available, but this list will grow!
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There are two ways you can buy the audiobooks:
1. You can join a subscription programme, such as Amazon’s audible programme. Here’s the link to join (with A New Me in your free month’s trial).
2. You can buy the book alone from Google Play. For example, here’s the link to A Pennyworth of Peppermints.
If you try one out, please do leave a review!
Are You Running a Club or Camp?
If your church is running a camp or club this summer and you’d like to give away books, email me for quantity discounts (just reply to this email). Books keep the message going after the event is over – and whole families might read them. We know of one instance where a mum started going to church after reading her son’s book… and became a Christian after hearing the preacher.
The Dernier Website
I’m in the process of re-vamping the website – would you mind taking a look? Is there anything you like or don’t like? Or that doesn’t work on your mobile or tablet? Anything I’m missing that would make it simpler for people to choose and buy books? Thanks in advance for your help. 🙂 You don’t have to buy from our website, of course! You can buy all our books from Christian bookshops, so if you have one in your area, do support them.
I think that’s it for this month! Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement. Do pass on this letter to a friend – we need to keep “enlarging the place of our tent”. 🙂
Have a wonderful July,
Janet
P.S. In case you’re in a hurry and have skimmed, here are the essentials:
* Some of our books are now available on audio for your kids to listen to on their phones
* You can download discussion questions from our website to help you and your children get the most from the books
* Reply to this email if you’d like to be a Dernier prayer supporter
* Contact me for quantity discounts of books for summer clubs and camps.
And if you were forwarded this from a friend, you can subscribe here. 🙂
Read to Lead
Morning, Janet here. Last year we started sending boxes of books to Kenya, for children in slum schools on the outskirts of Nairobi. This is such a heart-warming picture – I was told the children were so excited to have story books – this little chap just couldn’t wait to get reading!
One day I’d love to go… in the meantime, please do pray for all the children who read our books all over the world, whether they are privileged or destitute, seven years old or seventeen, at school, in refugee camps, or at home, with single parents, no parents, or children of a father with four wives. Every child is precious. Every single one.
If you’d like to send a box of books to Nairobi, we can do it on your behalf – we work with an organisation called Education Bridge Africa. £250 would cover the cost for as many books as we can fit in a 5kg box (including shipping). That’s around 40-50 books (some are lighter than others). Let me know if you want to be a hero for children like these – reading will help them out of poverty, and reading Christian books will help to build their faith.
Janet
Christian Camps Coming Up!
Let’s pray for the preparations of summer camps and clubs starting soon! They can be such a vital time in the lives of young people – fun and good news are a fabulous combination! If your church or organisation is planning an event, and you would like to give your children books to keep feeding them with good news once it’s over, please get in touch with us. We’d love to help if we can.
Do You Write?
Hello, Janet here, founder of Dernier Publishing. I just wanted to drop in and let you know that as well as working on books, I also run a resource for Christians who write novels for children. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you! You can hop on over to the Write for a Reason website by clicking on this link.
Hope to see you over there! – Janet
More books going out!
These books for 8-11s are off to a bookshop. We don’t know who will buy them and who will read them… but we can pray for them! Will you join us? So many issues are bombarding our children. Let’s be the bearer of good news! If we can help you with books for the children on your heart, please contact us. Or you can buy all these books for yourself – simply go to the ‘Books for 8-11s’ tab and add the books you want to your basket! Couldn’t be easier… but you could change the world for your readers.
Beech Bank Girls on Audio
You don’t have to join a subscription programme to listen to Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has A Story. You can download it direct from Google Play and enjoy it forever!
Faith-building Books on Audio
Do you have children who don’t enjoy reading, but love listening to a story? Want to build their faith? You do not have to subscribe to a monthly programme to benefit from audio books – you can download whichever book you like, when you like, from Google Play.
Here’s the link to buy A Pennyworth of Peppermints on audio for just £7.99.
The book is set in Weymouth and Portland (Dorset) and begins when Ben, Sidney and Vera find a message in a bottle – little dreaming of the adventures this will lead to. The main characters are at the end of their primary school education during the 1914-18 war.
You can also use author Mary’s discussion questions, to build your relationship with your children, and build your own faith at the same time!
More Christian Audio Books for Kids
Yipppeee! You know we exist to unite concerned Christians with life-changing stories for the 8-16s on their hearts? Well, we have three more inspiring books now on audio, so you can share these great stories with the young people in your life on a car journey, or even buy one for someone in a different country! Simply choose the one you want, search for it online and download! Be the bearer of good news.
Books to New Homes
More Books Ready to Change Lives!
These Christian books for children are going out into the world today, ready to change lives! If you want to be part of it, you can find Deepest Darkness here, and I Want to Be an Airline Pilot here. You can’t be a winner if you don’t take part! You can also use the discussion questions, if you want to read these lovely books alongside your kids. Keep those conversations about faith going – share you faith – you never know where it will lead. 🙂
Sowing Seeds
Christian books can change lives. Sometimes the seeds take a long time to grow. Sometimes they fall in thorns and weeds, or on the path, or on rocky ground. So we need to keep sowing, and never give up. Maybe, one day, some of the seeds you have sown will grow into mighty OAKS.
So keep sowing those seeds! Why not buy a book today, for a child on your heart? This seed could be the one that changes a life.
.
Praying for Persecuted Christians
Prayer is an enormous privilege, and a huge responsibility – here’s a resource to help your young people to pray!
Millions of Christians worldwide suffer persecution for their belief in Jesus Christ. As well as our help, they need our prayers.
‘Praying for Persecuted Christians’ offers 30 carefully chosen, biblical prayer pointers suitable for family, group, or private prayers, with useful scripture references.
Originally designed for teens, they have become a trusted prayer guide for adults, too!
Our heavenly Father is pleased to answer our requests – he is just waiting for us to ask. If we are obedient, we really can make a difference – an eternal difference, to thousands, maybe millions of people.
What a breathtaking privilege… and an awesome responsibility.
Buy copies for yourself, your church, your youth club. FREE shipping to UK addresses (please contact us for overseas orders).
More Books To Uganda!
Author of The City Kid, Clive Lewis, is off to Uganda again soon, with a mission team. Clive’s church made an appeal for books to take to children who so badly need them, and raised the amazing total of £440! The team will be sharing the weight of the books between them for the journey.
Clive says, “Thank you for your prayers. Our party will have three intensive days with our mission partners in the Gulu area (north Uganda) and during that time I plan to hand over the books to the diocesan youth organiser. He will be thrilled, I have no doubt.”
Please pray for Clive, his wife, Florence, and the mission team; for the diocesan youth organiser, and for the children who will receive the books! (The photo above is of Clive during a previous visit to Uganda.)
If you’re off on a mission trip in the summer, could you take books with you for a school, children’s home, camp or church? Or organise to raise funds for someone else?
Please contact us if we can help with quantity discounts, and even a few freebies!
John Ouma is off to Uganda
John Ouma (aka The City Kid) is getting packed up ready for his flight to Uganda next month. Ultimate destination: a school library! Please pray this story will be well used, and readers will be touched by its message of forgiveness, life and hope in Christ.
Do you know anyone off on a ministry trip this summer? Could they take some books for church kids, or a school or children’s home? Please contact us – we would be delighted to help!
Exam Prayer
Last week GCSEs started, and SATs began. A levels will be starting soon, along with college/uni exams. It can be such a stressful time. We had such good feedback from the exam prayer we put on social media, we have now added a bit of design and linked to it below as a downloadable file. Please feel free to print it out and pray it with your children/young people, and or give it to them to take to school/college.
The Lord is a very present help in times of trouble!
Click here to download the prayer as a pdf:
Do you have children in your church?
Not all churches now have children, sadly. If yours does, would you like to give out some of our leaflets? Not all children read, but almost all love to have a story read to them!
Grandparents and godparents might like to buy books, as well as Sunday School teachers and children’s workers. Send us a message if we can help!
Is it time for your church to go back to giving books as gifts?
CLC Distribution
Shout out to CLC who distribute our Christian children’s books to bookshops all over the UK! These books are on their way to the CLC warehouse in Chester, today. They may have been ordered for a prizegiving, at a church or school. 🙂
If your church has children (sadly, not all do), would you mention our books to your children’s worker or minister, as ideas for prizes? Even children who don’t love reading themselves usually love being read to! And there’s nothing quite like a fun story to start a conversation about faith…
Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries. We’d love to help you get fun Christian books into the hands of the children/teens on your heart.
Janet (Janet Wilson, Dernier Publishing)
Visit to Hillsong Kids
Hello, Janet Wilson here. I visited central London yesterday – Hillsong Kids (7-11s), to give a talk about books!
It was a delight to meet so many keen readers. I got to talk to some of the children individually as well as give a talk to the whole group. Several of them buzzed around me after my talk, thrilled and amazed to find books with Christian characters just like them (and two asked me if I’d publish the books they are writing!). Please pray the children will be strengthened in their faith through good Christian books, as well as the teaching they receive week by week when they’re together.
I suspect way more children than we think would read Christian books if they had the opportunity… and still more would love their parents to read the stories to them. Let’s pray for parents to take up the challenge – and that other family members and church family will buy them for those that can’t afford it.
Our children so badly need the encouragement to keep walking with God.
Prayer for Exams and Tests
The exam season is on us once again… let’s pray for all our children and young people doing tests and exams. It can be such a stressful time. But the Lord can give strength!
Below is a prayer you can pray with your children to pray when exams loom – why not print it out for them?
If you have a child on your heart you’d like prayer for, please add their name, or a nickname, in the comments below. Isn’t it the most amazing thing that we can all pray for each other? 🙂 We are all family. x
Janet (Janet Wilson, founder of Dernier Publishing)
Dear Father God,
Thank you that you came to give me life, and life in all its fullness. May your name be honoured in my life.
When I get anxious, help me to remember you hold all things in your hand, even the sparrows. When my heart beats fast, help me to remember that I matter to you. When I feel alone, help me to remember you have promised to be with me, always. When I feel crushed inside, please help me to look up to you, not at my worries. When fear grips, please help me to take one step at a time, knowing your Holy Spirit is right there beside me.
Help me to trust you because you care for me. Help me to remember your constant, never-ending love. Help me to remember that whatever the outcome of my exams, you have a plan for my life, and your presence will guide me. Help me to see that my value is not dependent on my exam results, but on my worth to you.
You came to give me abundant life! Please help me to experience that today, in all I do. You came to give peace, so I choose to rest in you. You came to bring joy! May I know your joy in my heart today, because I am your child, and nothing compares with that. Thank you for giving me the gift of faith. Thank you for being my friend, my Saviour, my hope and my light.
There is no other God like you. May your name by honoured in my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
J. Wilson 2019
Going to Hillsong!
Hi, Janet Wilson here, founder of Dernier Publishing. On Sunday I have the privilege of speaking to the Hillsong London Kids’ 7-11s about Christian books! I have a little talk planned, and aim to encourage them to be brave, because children are as important to God as adults. Please pray for a good response! I’ll try to remember to take some photos to show you next week. 🙂
New Homes for Books
First Audio Book for Sale!
We are absolutely delighted to let you know that our first audio book is now for sale on Audible and iTunes! So now, if your child doesn’t love reading, or you want to listen together on a journey, you can still enjoy this story!
This is a great book to bring up themes of justice and mercy, judgement and forgiveness. The Bible teaches us we need to talk to our children about the Lord in our everyday lives – when we sit and walk, and wherever we go. Now you can listen to this book in your home or car, and join in with the discussion questions afterwards!
Here’s a bit about the book: Paul hates his sister – she has been awful to him ever since he can remember, and when he finds a flying carpet in his gran’s loft he seeks revenge… but gets a lot more than he bargained for. Justice, judgement, forgiveness, mercy… Paul sees them all as he and Trinity travel through time and space. But then comes something completely unexpected… You can find the book here.
Audio Books Approved!
Beech Bank Girls Reviews
We love it when readers take the time to send in their reviews. Thank you, Mary, for sending us your lovely reviews of Beech Bank Girls, Making a Difference, and Beech Bank Girls, Christmas is Coming!. We are so glad you enjoyed the stories, and hope other people will enjoy reading your reviews. 🙂
“I really like Beech Bank Girls. It is about six teenage friends, Annie, Willow, Rachel, Amber, and Chloe. Holly is on holiday!
In this book, a new girl, Madalina comes to school. She is a Roma gypsy and will only stay for a while, and so she does not have to wear school uniform.
The Beech Bank Girls make friends with Madalina, and give her their spare school uniforms. Madalina tells them that she will have to go home, but in the end the headmaster gives her something that means she will go back to her parents but will come back to school again!
Also there is a fun night at Beech Bank. There is a film on at Beech Bank, and lots of the girls cry during it. Willow meets one of the presenters called Jay, and she likes him. After the film the girls came up with the idea to give Madalina school uniform. The other girls all join in with it.
Another thing that happens in this book is that Amber’s sister, Kim comes home from university and says that she won’t go back. She had met a boy on the internet and he wanted her to show him round her university. In the end she decides not to meet up with him. He sends loads of emails, and says he will try to find her. Amber tells Kim about God, and she decides to believe in Him and is generally much happier.
I really like all that happens in this book especially how they are kind to Madalina. I think you should read it, and I think that you will enjoy it too!
I really like Beech Bank Girls. It is about six teenage friends, Annie, Willow, Rachel, Holly, Amber, and Chloe.
In this book, Holly comes back from holiday and her father’s business goes bankrupt. Amber is rather mean to Holly and says, “Welcome to the new world.” Because Holly has always been rather rich. In the end they both say sorry. (At the same time!)
Rachel’s sister, Ruth, thinks that she is too fat. So Ruth goes on a diet and does not eat really anything. She faints at Beech Bank after missing lunch, and is taken to hospital. Rachel talks with Ruth, and Ruth says she did not enjoy her diet, and goes back to normal eating.
Annie has an accident on a sledge, and hurts her foot. The sky gets dark and the girls can’t find their way back. All of the girls’ fathers come and find them.
I really like all that happens in this book especially how they all work together. I think you should read it, and I think that you will enjoy it too!” – Mary
Happy Easter
We would like to take this opportunity, as we take a few days’ break to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, to thank everyone who has supported and prayed for Dernier. We appreciate you all.
We would like to wish you a very Happy Easter. May you experience the love of God in a deeper way than ever before.
Easter Books
More Audio Book Covers
More Audio Book Covers!
All this week we will be working on our audio books… please pray with us as we seek to serve our children/young people in this way. Thank you! Here are some more of the covers:
If you’d like to be kept informed about the progress of the audio books, please contact us and we’ll let you know when they are up and running. 🙂
Audio Books
Please pray! After months of hard work and lots of hiccups we have uploaded our first audio book (Revenge of the Flying Carpet) to audible and itunes… it’s awaiting approval (which could be up to fourteen days). Once this one has been sorted (and there may be some further technical tweaks to be made) we will start work on uploading all our other books, one by one. It’s been a learning curve – but will be so worth it, because children who don’t enjoy reading will still be able to enjoy our books!
Stock Taking
Newsletter March 2019
All the news from the last month, condensed into one handy place! 🙂 Enjoy and be encouraged… and thanks for all your support and prayers. x
Easter… If Jesus hadn’t died for us, if he hadn’t been raised from the dead, we would be lost forever, with no hope. It’s hard to express, for those of us who are children of God, how much that means to us. Words can not convey the gratitude, however much we try. This story, of all stories, is so full of joy after sorrow, hope after despair, light after darkness, truth after deception, life after death, undeserved forgiveness. Once again at this time of year, our hearts overflow with awe at the amazing grace of God – his sacrifice for us, because he loved us.
It’s a story we have to share. Please continue to pray for the children who read our books, which convey something of the good news of Jesus, wherever they are in the world – orphans and refugees in Nigeria, desperately poor children in Kenya, children of prisoners in the UK, and so many others.
Children who go to church, and children who don’t… all need encouragement to walk with Jesus.
Easter Outreach
If your church has an Easter outreach event, A New Me for 10-12s would be a great book for the children to take home. The story features Jess, whose dad has left home because he drinks. Forced to move home as they are behind with the rent, Jess, her mum and brother start a new life in a new village. Jess joins the church youth club and meets Christian young people for the first time in her life. She learns about Jesus, forgiveness, and what a new start really means. As in all our newer books, A New Me has a dyslexia friendly design.
Rebecca, in Rebecca and Jade: Choices (for teens) opens her heart to Jesus at an Easter church service. Do you have a teenage girl you could share this book with?
Mystery in the Snow is also set at Easter, although it does snow (not unknown in the UK!).
If you were looking for a book on forgiveness/grace/justice/mercy, Revenge of the Flying Carpet (for 10-14s) would be a good option. Good for young people living with difficult people/situations they feel powerless to change.
Please contact us for quantity discounts. We want your young people to have our books, and will do what we can to help you.
Book Review
Reviews like this brighten our day! A girl called Mary kindly took the time to write to us via our website contact form:
“I wrote a book review for my school work, and I was wondering if you would like to use it:
‘I really like Beech Bank Girls. It is about six teenage friends, Annie, Willow, Rachel, Holly, Amber, and Chloe.
In this book, there is a miracle with Chloe’s brother. He has been unwell with depression, he reads Christian books, becomes a Christian, and is much better.
Another thing that happens is that Amber’s dog dies, and her parents try to make her happier by getting another dog. They wanted her to name it. It makes Amber sadder, but after a cat fights the dog (who she names Hamlet in the end) she becomes friends with him.
Holly has a date with a boy, he
kisses her, and she does not like it, so she cancels the date.
Annie
joins the group of friends. Also, Willow gets to know God better.
It
is a really interesting book. I think you should read it, and I think
that you will enjoy it too!‘”
Thank you, Mary, for your encouragement!
Discussion Questions
We are building up our list of books that have Discussion Questions. If you want to discuss the book with your children, run a book club, or use the book as a class reader, you may find these questions helpful. You can find the list of books that already have questions here.
Because our books go to schools and are used in all sorts of different contexts, we have tried to keep the questions simple and non-threatening, but we hope they will help readers get the most from the stories. To give you an idea, here are the questions for Deepest Darkness (feel free to skip on!):
1. Everyone is afraid of something. Do you have the same kinds of fears as Abi, or are yours different? Abi’s anxieties are all-consuming and affect what she is able to do. Are your fears like that?
2. Abi’s family is supportive of her fears, but other people don’t understand. Do people understand how you feel?
3. Abi felt safe in the cabin. Do you have a safe place, a place where you can be yourself, and relax?
4. What things do you miss out on (if any) because of your fears? Do you want to be able to overcome your anxiety, or are you happy the way you are?
5. Abi’s dad is very different to Abi. He likes challenges, whereas she doesn’t. What are the differences between you and your family and friends?
6. Nic only takes Abi one step at a time with her fears. She wouldn’t have been able to walk in the forest at night if she hadn’t first slept without a light at night, then walked in the forest during the daytime. Is there anything in your life you would like to change, if you could do it a little at a time?
7. Abi and her family have never thought about God before. Do you think God cares about us, and answers our prayers, even if we don’t really know what to do or say?
8. Abi’s family didn’t know much about praying, but they were willing to give it a try. Would you be willing to pray for someone else who needs to see light in their situation, like Abi’s dad needed to see the light in the forest?
9. Nic talks about Jesus being the true light that shines in the darkness. What do you think of that idea? Do you think you could carry the light of Jesus with you in your life? If you did, could that help you do something you couldn’t do before?
10. Did Abi’s story inspire you? In what ways?
Online Catalogue
This is the link to our online catalogue. All our books are there for you to browse.
Please pass the link on to schools, teachers, youth workers, homeschoolers, people who work with Boys and Girls Brigades, and anyone you know who might be interested in Christian books for the children on their heart.
Feel free to browse then buy from your local Christian bookshop – they need your support to keep going.
Where Will the Books End Up?
Every new order is exciting! You never know where the books will end up. Will they go to a girl like Mary, who enjoyed the story? Who will read them? Will they change lives? These five books (below) were ordered from our website by a lady in Chatham, Kent. May they be much used and loved! Don’t let your young people miss out. Not every child enjoys reading, but if you know one who does, don’t miss the opportunity to be a blessing.
Do you have a story about a book that touched you as a child? We’d love to hear from you. 🙂
Right, that’s all for now! May the grace of the Lord remain with you always.
Janet
P.S. We very much appreciate your feedback. With this in mind, what one thing could we do to make it easier for you to buy our books?
Discussion Questions
Did you know we have Discussion Questions for some of our books? You can find the questions here. They could be useful if you run a book group, want to discuss the book with your children, or use the group for as a class reader. To give you an idea, here are the questions for Deepest Darkness (for 8-11s-ish):
1. Everyone is afraid of something. Do you have the same kinds of fears as Abi, or are yours different? Abi’s anxieties are all-consuming and affect what she is able to do. Are your fears like that?
2. Abi’s family is supportive of her fears, but other people don’t understand. Do people understand how you feel?
3. Abi felt safe in the cabin. Do you have a safe place, a place where you can be yourself, and relax?
4. What things do you miss out on (if any) because of your fears? Do you want to be able to overcome your anxiety, or are you happy the way you are?
5. Abi’s dad is very different to Abi. He likes challenges, whereas she doesn’t. What are the differences between you and your family and friends?
6. Nic only takes Abi one step at a time with her fears. She wouldn’t have been able to walk in the forest at night if she hadn’t first slept without a light at night, then walked in the forest during the daytime. Is there anything in your life you would like to change, if you could do it a little at a time?
7. Abi and her family have never thought about God before. Do you think God cares about us, and answers our prayers, even if we don’t really know what to do or say?
8. Abi’s family didn’t know much about praying, but they were willing to give it a try. Would you be willing to pray for someone else who needs to see light in their situation, like Abi’s dad needed to see the light in the forest?
9. Nic talks about Jesus being the true light that shines in the darkness. What do you think of that idea? Do you think you could carry the light of Jesus with you in your life? If you did, could that help you do something you couldn’t do before?
10. Did Abi’s story inspire you? In what ways?
We hope these questions will help you engage with your children, and help to build them up in their walk with God. Let us know in the comments below if you use them, or if you have any further ideas for questions!
A New Me
If your church has an Easter outreach event for 10-12s, A New Me would be a great book to take home. The story features Jess, whose dad has left home because he drinks. Forced to move home as they are behind with the rent, Jess, her mum and brother start a new life in a new village.
Jess joins a church youth club and meets Christian young people for the first time in her life. She learns about Jesus, forgiveness, and what a new start really means…
As in all our newer books, A New Me has a dyslexia friendly design. Contact us for quantity discounts. 🙂
Review of ‘Beech Bank Girls – Every Girl Has A Story’
Reviews like this brighten our day! This message is from a girl called Mary, who kindly took the time to write to us:
I wrote a book review for my school work, and I was wondering if you would like to use it:
“I really like Beech Bank Girls. It is about six teenage friends, Annie, Willow, Rachel, Holly, Amber, and Chloe.
In this book, there is a miracle with Chloe’s brother. He has been
unwell with depression, he reads Christian books, becomes a Christian,
and is much better.
Another thing that happens is that Amber’s dog
dies, and her parents try to make her happier by getting another dog.
They wanted her to name it. It makes Amber sadder, but after a cat
fights the dog (who she names Hamlet in the end) she becomes friends
with him.
Holly has a date with a boy, he kisses her, and she does not like it, so she cancels the date.
Annie joins the group of friends. Also, Willow gets to know God better.
It is a really interesting book. I think you should read it, and I think that you will enjoy it too!”
Out of Poverty
Children’s Books set in WWI
A Pennyworth of Peppermints in set in the Great War. This is a lovely story for children studying the two world wars at school. There’s even a glossary at the end, and some recipes! Ben and his friends Sidney and Vera foil a spy plot, and learn about faith, evil, and who the enemy really is. For 8-11s, it’s a lovely book with lots of detail on what life would have been like for families living through this terrible war, and we walk with Ben as he takes the decision to trust in God. Educational and faith-building!
Beech Bank Girls, A Time Remembered, is a book for girls 10+. The story is set in current times, but Willow finds a diary written 100 years ago, which gives a fascinating insight to the war from one girl’s viewpoint. The Beech Bank Girls discover that although many things change, God remains as faithful now as He was when Grace was alive. If you want to encourage your girls in their faith, or give a girl you love the opportunity to find out what it means to be a Christian, this is the book for you. 🙂
Going to Hillsong Kids
Hello, thanks for dropping by! Janet here today with just a quick news update: I will be visiting Hillsong kids’ Sunday School group in May! (In London.) Lovely talking to one of the children’s workers, Gabi, yesterday. I’m looking forward to showing the children our books!
Children who go to church, and children who don’t… both need encouragement to walk with Jesus.
If you’d like someone from Dernier to come and talk to your children, please do get in touch. 🙂
Parcels of Christian Books for Kids
Take it Seriously
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul with all your strength.
These commandments should be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home when you walk along the road when you lie down when you get up… “
Take this seriously. The way you live your life, and the conversations you share about your faith can mean so much.
Christian books can be a natural way in to help you talk about your faith. If we can help, please let us know!
Just Another Order?
The BIG Newsletter!
Hi, Janet Wilson here, from Dernier Publishing. Every month I write a round-up of news, so you can be informed, inspired, buy books and pray for us! You can read the latest newsletter by clicking here.
I hope you find it helpful and interesting!
Christian Books for Schools
‘I Want to Be an Airline Pilot’ on Kindle
Good morning everyone!
We’ve never given our kindle books a lot of publicity, so we thought we would give a little promotion to I Want to Be an Airline Pilot on kindle, and see how it goes. We have reduced the price to 99p ($1.29), for a limited time.
Having a kindle book just isn’t the same as having a paperback in your hands, but there are advantages: the story is instantly downloadable, so you can have it for a car journey or a rainy day without waiting for it to arrive, it’s cheaper than a paperback and you can order it wherever you are in the world. Plus it takes less space in your luggage, if you’re off on holiday. 🙂
Did you know You can read kindle books on any electronic device with the free kindle app? So you don’t need a kindle to read a kindle book!
You can also buy a kindle book as a gift for someone else’s kindle/tablet/phone/device, which is brilliant – OK, you can’t unwrap it, but it’s instant, and there’s no shipping!
Why not give it a try?
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot is the first in a series of three books set in Rwanda. The story is moving, inspirational and fun. It features an eight-year-old goatherd from a child-led family, who discovers through a series of adventures that he has a father in heaven who cares for him.
It’s a lovely book to share answers to prayer, God’s love, the church as family, God’s provision and grace – and lots of hope! Lovely for family reading, to share together. Equally good for bookworms who love to hide themselves away with a good book. 🙂
Here’s the link to buy I Want to Be an Airline Pilot on Amazon UK
Here’s the link to buy I Want to Be an Airline Pilot on Amazon.com
You can also order the book from any of the other Amazon stores – Japan, Canada, India etc.
Here are some comments from readers:
“I just wanted to tell you how much Joe and I are enjoying reading I want to be an airline pilot!! I’m reading it to Joe at bedtime and he’s really enjoying it – it’s his favourite book so far!! And he’s read lots of books! He loves the bits about Rwanda that he’s learning and his bedtime prayers are full of thanks for all his blessings. We’ve had some really good chats following on from each chapter too. Each chapter he tried to persuade me to read on so he can find out what happens next – and not just delaying bedtime, he’s genuinely wanting to keep going!!!”
“Based on the author’s experience of living in Rwanda, yet sensitively written for younger readers, this book and its’ sequels are great little stories with plot lines that really draw you in and make for a good read. They also help children to realise how different life can be for children in other cultures. The Christian content is appropriate for the setting. I highly recommend them.”
“This was an intriguing and delightful tale of an orphaned family which was written with great compassion. The hero, Shema, and the lady that rescued him, Mama Grace, and their fears and emotions were very well portrayed. The story was fast-moving and full of local interest.”
Any questions about the book, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Do You Write for a Reason?
Do you write novels for young people from a Christian perspective, or would you like to give it a go? Janet Wilson runs ‘Write for a Reason’, which is a resource for anyone who’d like a bit of help and encouragement with their writing. You can find more here.
Books Make Great Gifts
If you know a family who is struggling financially, why not buy them a book or two for their children? Parents might love to have a selection of Christian books, but not be able to afford to buy them. Your gift could bring life! If you’re worried they might think it a bit weird, how about saying, “I saw this and thought of you,” or just put the books anonymously through the door? Or buy them for Easter, a birthday, or find another excuse? 🙂 You never know what blessings your gift could bring.
Why Christian Books?
We are influenced by what we put into our minds – good or bad. Christian books help us think about spiritual and moral issues in a positive way. Christian characters can inspire us in the way they win through in different situations… and ideas that come up in stories help us to evaluate our own lives.
Long live Christian fiction for young people!
Lent Books for Children
It won’t be too long before Lent begins (Tuesday 5th March is Shrove Tuesday). What about reading a Christian book with your child (or as a family) – a bit every day through Lent this year? Be a great opportunity to draw closer to God together, maybe? Just a thought!
Perhaps you could keep a 40 day journal of what you learn together? It could be a precious keepsake.
If you need a recommendation of a book for a specific issue, let us know. Otherwise, why not start with I Want to Be an Airline Pilot (lovely family story) or A Pennyworth of Peppermints (set in WWI). If your child struggles with anxiety, Deepest Darkness would be a great choice. If you have girls, The Birthday Shoes is a fun book for 7-10s, or if you have older girls, the Beech Bank Girls are fab for 10+. Boys love The Treasure Hunt and Mystery in the Snow. If you have any recommendations of your own, please leave them in the comments below!
Our books have arrived in Nigeria!
The two boxes of books we sent to Archbishop Ben Kwashi in Plateau State in Nigeria have arrived! We are delighted to hear this wonderful news, and are grateful to all who donated.
These books will go to schools in and around Jos, where there are many orphans and refugees, due to the troubles. Please pray the books will be enjoyed by many readers, and bring light and life and hope where there is so much darkness. Thank you! And if you’d like to sponsor a box of books, let me know. Now we know the shipping works, we can send more.
🙂 This is a brilliant way to help – actual physical help that will make a difference. What a wonderful privilege!
Review of Deepest Darkness
Reviews like this make all the hard work worthwhile:
A little boy said after reading Deepest Darkness, “It made me happy.” This little chap suffers from low self-esteem and anxieties.
His mum, who read the book with him, said, “I was able to use Abi’s experiences of overcoming her fears, to try to get him to see how he might overcome or build upon small steps like Abi did. Social stories are tools used in school to help him understand some of his emotions so this was a good book for him.”
Mum also said, “I liked the way the book was written, how it had a lovely story but also explored faith related issues. The description of the island made it very believable.”
Her son added, “I liked the way Abi conquered her fears.”
Mum and son both give the book 5*.
If you’d like a copy of the book, you can order here from our website, or any bookshop.
Thanks to all who pray!
25 Reasons to offer Christian fiction to young people
I’ve posted this before, but some things are worth repeating 🙂
1.
Stories stick in your mind (Jesus told stories for a reason!)
2.
Christian books are a great way to share the good news.
3. Young
people can reflect on subjects such as prayer, justice
and
forgiveness, for themselves.
4. Church kids find it thrilling
to find Christian characters in a ‘real’ story!
5. Christian
fiction helps church children feel less marginalised.
6.
Books written from a Christian perspective can be an eye-opener for
non-church young people, and can bring hope.
7. Stories are
much more exciting to read than straight information!
8. We
are influenced by what we put into our minds; Christian books contain
Christian values.
9. Books help readers think about spiritual
and moral issues.
10. Christian characters can be inspiring
in the way they win through in different situations.
11. Ideas
that come up in stories help us to evaluate our own lives.
12.
Modern Christian fiction is culturally relevant (and exciting!).
13.
Young people can find out how Bible stories are applicable to
their own lives.
14. Books make non-threatening presents for
non-church families.
15. They aid literacy (they are books!);
Christian books have the added bonus of a spiritual dimension.
16.
Children desperate for an education can learn about God’s love
while they read.
17. Christian books make non-threatening
gifts where spiritual input may otherwise be impossible.
18.
Reading a Christian novel with your children is great for
bonding.
19. You can discuss biblical issues that Christian
books bring up, helping you to fulfil your duties as a Christian
parent/grandparent/teacher!
20. Christian books can sow seeds
that will bear fruit in years to come.
21. Not all books out
there are helpful – Christian books are a fabulous alternative.
22.
Christian books bring up current issues, such as modern day slavery,
from a Christian perspective.
23. Christian fiction can
encourage and inspire young people to walk with God, even church kids
who are bored with Bible stories
24. We have received many
testimonies of how our books have touched lives – some children are
drawn to Christian books.
25. Every child is precious, and
should have a chance to hear the good news in a way that is relevant
to them.
One month ago it was nearly Christmas!
Larger Books
We are currently working on larger versions of The Birthday Shoes and I Want to Be an Airline Pilot. All good fun! These are such lovely stories, and I think the larger, updated versions will be great for readers. Discussion questions have been added at the back, along with dyslexia friendly font and layout. What’s not to like?
🙂 If you’d like first edition copies of either of these books, now’s the time to get one! Click on the links above for more info, or order from your local Christian bookshop!
Bless Your Kids!
Christian books are an encouragement and blessing. Don’t forget to buy them for your kids, too. They need blessing and encouragement every bit as much as we do. #christianbooksforkids
Books to Burundi
Dernier Publishing Newsletter, January 2019
Happy New Year to you all, and thanks for being with us once again.
We can’t promise that any of our books will change lives. But it’s not our job to change lives – the only person who can do that is the Lord himself. Our job is to faithfully keep sharing the good news – and praying that the seeds will bear fruit.
Author Mary Weeks Millard told me with a heavy heart of a 19-year-old lad’s suicide, just before Christmas. It’s hard to think of the words to say when faced with such a terrible tragedy. Mental health issues among young people/children have hit the news recently. As Christians, we need to respond. This article in the Guardian regarding children’s mental health is an eye-opener.
Could your young people’s group give The City Kid to a friend (John attempts suicide when life becomes too much for him, but finds new life in Jesus)? Might your church sponsor Deepest Darkness for pupils at your local school (Abi begins to find freedom from her acute anxiety)? Please get in touch if you think we can help. We are more than happy to give quantity discounts. Perhaps lives can be saved. Like George in that classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life, we may never know the evil we have prevented by small, faithful actions. One mum once said to me, after her son read The City Kid, “I actually feel quite choked after talking to Sam about the book, as it has really seemed to help him at what is a quite difficult time in his own life.”
If you want to set up a reading group for your young people, we have discussion questions, for both books (and several others).
Goals
This year, we have set some goals, to help us reach more readers (and listeners!). Your prayers for each of these would be so much appreciated (and you might even be able to help with some of them!):
1. Foreign translations
You may remember that a few years ago, some of our books were taken up by a Christian publisher in Croatia. Wouldn’t it be great for our books to reach more non-English speakers?
2. On-Demand Printing Worldwide
We’d love our books to be available worldwide without having to ship them. CLC are setting up a facility to be able to do this… The Birthday Shoes is the guinea pig book!
3. Audio Books
All our books are now recorded! When I have the edited files, we can start to make them available.
4. Old Covers Updated
Some of our book covers are looking dated. We need some new ones!
5. Young People’s Reviews
This year I’d love to get more photos of young people reading our books, more reviews and even videos… if you can help with this, we’d be hugely grateful – just send them in! 🙂 N.B. We don’t use real names with photos, or locations.
6. Book in Progress
Yay, we need to produce more books!
7. Social Media Following
We’d love to have a bigger presence online. Please join us on facebook and twitter, and share our posts and links and news with your friends. My twitter handle is @janetwilsonxxx. Love to see you there!
8. Write for a Reason
This is a resource I run for writers. Please pray whatever I do will be useful.
9. Influencers
If someone well-known recommends a book, customers are more likely to buy it. Sooooo, it would be great to have some well-known people recommend our books. If you know anyone, please do pass on the info!
I hope that hasn’t bored you too much, but if we’re going to get the good news out, we need to have a plan. I’ll let you know how things are progressing as we go through the year…
Some other quick snippets of news:
I am running a workshop at the Hand in Hand Conference Children’s Ministry Conference in Eastbourne (3-5th February), on the subject of sharing faith through books. Please pray for a good response.
The box of books we sent to the Star School in Kigali has still not arrived – please keep praying! These children don’t have a lot of reading books, so they will be well used.
I visited Manna Christian Bookshop in Streatham last week. It was great to see our books on the shelf! Please do support your local Christian bookshop, if you have one. Buying online is convenient, but along with all ‘real’ shops, they need our support to keep going.
I used the time between Christmas and the New Year to give our website a new look. Any comments appreciated. 🙂
And I think that’s it for now!
May your life be filled with faith and fabulous fruit in 2019!.. and once more, thank you for sticking with us for another year. We couldn’t do it without you.
Janet
P.S. Some of our newsletters are filled with hope and joy. Having re-read this one, I feel more of a determination and readiness to fight. Please keep fighting with us. We can not fight alone.
Mystery Detective Adventures
Darkness v Light
As the days get shorter and darker, we can begin to feel the darkness seeping into our spirits.
Halloween parties and trick and treating are now pretty much part of our culture now, aren’t they? – the shops are full of witches, skeletons and vampires. This celebration of all that is dark and evil pushes against all that the Lord longs for our young people – light, life and hope.
But this is what Jesus came to bring! Even in the dark days of winter we can suddenly we get a shaft of light – a clear blue sky, a profusion of red berries on an evergreen bush, a burst of song from a robin. All these are reminders us that the darkness will never overcome the light.
Fighting Back
If you or your church are planning a light party for the end of October, what about giving books away to your guests? So they take the message of the good news of Jesus home with them?
(Church families/kids need encouragement, too!)
Here are some suggestions:
The City Kid for young adults.
All these books have an inspiring message of hope, gently woven into exciting stories kids will want to read again and again.
We have to fight back! Sometimes it seems there’s not much we can do against an ever-growing tide of evil, but buying a book and giving it away is a simple way churches can get the good news into homes in the community.
You can order these suggested books from your favourite Christian (or any other) bookshop worldwide, or direct from the dernierpublishing website. If you wish to order large quantities for a school or church, please get in touch with us. We would love to help you.
And we have some fabulous news!
We can’t end this newsletter without acknowledging the wonderful Eleanor Watkins, the hugely talented author of the Beech Bank Girls, Rebecca and Jade: Choices, Nobody’s Dog and Oliver’s Secret, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Christian Literature award at the recent Christian Resources Together event!
Eleanor absolutely deserves this award, having written over 50 books, many for children and youth, and we are delighted that her dedication to, and heart for writing, has been recognised in this way.
We are absolutely delighted for Eleanor… and we have more of her books coming out very soon! The next one, Who Invented Sisters? is a fun story about a young lad who has four big, bossy sisters… I read it to my grandson who absolutely loved it! We’ll keep you informed, of course.
More New Books
The sequel to The Dove Stone (The Capstone), by Pam Daunton, is currently at the editing stage, as is another lovely story from Mary Weeks Millard, Memory Makers. Please pray for these projects! We very much appreciate your support.
So don’t forget your books to bring light… and I’ll be in touch again soon.
It’s a pleasure to be working with you!
Janet
September News
Hello everyone, and welcome to the first Dernier newsletter of the autumn term!
I must admit, going back to school always used to make me anxious, as a child (especially maths class), but the one thing I did love was reading stories. How I would have loved to have read about Lance, Debbie, Joel and Ravi and their exciting detective adventures! You can get the series here.
What was your favourite subject? Mine was always anything to do with words, and particularly fiction.
How wonderful to read about characters and their exciting adventures, with all the suspense, fun and satisfying endings that always made you want to know what happened next. Imagination is a wonderful thing!
Now I get to work with books every day – what a treat that is.
So here’s some Dernier news:
Angel Tree
As you know if you’ve been with us for a while, Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree programme gives gifts to prisoners’ children on their behalf, and include a Christian book in the parcel, if the prisoners wish. Most of them do, which is simply wonderful, and this year we are delighted to be part of this fabulous scheme once again.
Please do pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of the children to receive the books. This year these include The City Kid, The Dove Stone, Revenge of the Flying Carpet, Deepest Darkness, The Birthday Shoes and Under the Tamarind Tree. These books truly have potential to sow seeds and change lives.
Print on Demand
As we’re getting more and more titles on our list, we’re turning more to print on demand, which means printing fewer books at a time. This saves storage space, but it does work out more expensive per copy. With the rising costs in postage/shipping, we’d value your prayers. We want to do the very best we can with the resources we have. Thank you!
If you haven’t bought any books from us for a while, perhaps you might consider doing so? Perhaps for your family, church kids, local school library, after school kids club, or whatever? Let’s spread the blessing!
Media Associates International
I think I’ve mentioned before that I am involved with a charity called Media Associates International – a worldwide network of Christian publishers and writers. The idea is to help train and encourage Christians in parts of the world where it’s difficult, or even dangerous, to publish Christian material.
I’d appreciate your prayers as I speak at various conferences on writing and publishing for children/teens. I will be running a workshop mainly for Serbian students next month, and in November I will be speaking at a conference in Mexico.
If you’d like to know more about this, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d love to tell you more about it!
Do You Write?
I also run an online membership group for writers – if that’s you, or it’s something you’re interested in, check out this link. If you join the group in September, you get the first month free. 🙂
Time to Order some Books?
And on to books. It’s too early to start talking to you about Christmas (yes, I know some of the shops are getting things in!), but if you have family birthdays coming up, or a church event, why not get some books now? Simply hop on over to the home page and make your choice.
Don’t forget, you don’t have to order books here – you can order Dernier books from any Christian bookshop. They need our support, too!
I think that’s all the news for now.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and thank you so much for your support.
It’s wonderful to be partnering with you, to get the good news into young people’s hands.
Janet
December News
Books make fabulous Christmas gifts!
I Want to Be an Airline Pilot is now available!
Yaaayyyyy!!! I Want to Be an Airline Pilot is the third of our older books to receive a makeover this year! (the other two are The Birthday Shoes and The Treasure Hunt).
If you’ve been waiting for this inspiring story to come back into print, you need wait no longer! We’re delighted to have it back in circulation, ready to thrill a new generation of readers this Christmas. It’s now bigger, and dyslexia friendly. You’ll love it! It’s always been one of our best sellers, and we expect it to do well.
In this story children from different backgrounds all make friends, which is brilliant to encourage children to embrace differences, now, while they are young. It could prevent so much heartache in the future… click here to order this fab book now.
Mystery in the Snow – Coming Soon!
The exciting sequel to The Treasure Hunt will be available soon – watch this space. 🙂
In case I don’t get in touch with you again before Christmas, may I wish you a blessed Christmas. May all the books you give away bear fruit for eternal life! We will be praying with you, that they do.
Together in Christ,
Janet
P.S. Many families are struggling financially this year. There will be children this year who don’t have a Christmas gift. What about buying them a book? It could be the best gift you ever buy.
It’s Competition Time!
The Treasure Hunt has arrived, in plenty of time for your family summer reading…
We were wondering how to celebrate, and have decided to set up a COMPETITION!
Buy a copy of this exciting story from our website, and you will be put into a special draw to win
A fabulous Treasure Chest full of 18 Dernier books!
(Check it out here – it’s a very special chest full of wonderful books for all ages, from 6- young adult.)
Plus FIVE runners up will each win a £5 voucher to use on ANY BOOK purchased on our website.
Clink this link to order your copy of The Treasure Hunt now and be entered for the draw!
The draw will take place on 1st September 2023. If you are a winner, we will let you know!
You will love this book for 8-12s. Who is in the back of the white lorry, and why are they there? Four children from a church youth club work together to work out the mystery and… well, we’ll let you read it for yourself.
Church kids love this book (it makes them feel less marginalised), with characters just like them and a mega-exciting plot!
Buy your copy here. Why not buy one each for all your church kids, for summer reading? Don’t let them miss out. If you don’t, who will? And books do change lives!
Christmas is Fast Approaching!
Dear Friends,
The days are drawing in, winter has arrived, and we need to start thinking about Christmas!
Christmas is a time of light, love and laughter… well, that’s the plan anyway. 🙂
Jesus’ miraculous arrival on earth is certainly something to celebrate. He came to show us the way to the Father, and ultimately to die for us. Emmanuel, God with Us. Awesome.
Even though we sometimes get caught up in the busyness and the commercialism of Christmas, at heart we love the Lord above all that, don’t we? And we long for our loved ones to do the same.
This year, why not buy as many books as you can, to encourage all the young people you love to walk with God? In amongst the shiny wrappers, let’s give gold.
I’ve made a list of our books, and who you might buy them for. We can’t change hearts, but we certainly can share good news! Our young people are desperate for life, light, hope and truth. Don’t let them miss out.
The Dove Stone
This book is for 8-11s who love adventure stories with an element of danger, plus those who feel disadvantaged and alone. The story is set in post-Roman Britain, on the banks of the River Ribble. Rhiannon wants to help Doran and his brother, Nico, who are being bullied, but what can she and her faithful dog, Wolf, do to help?
The Only Way
For 10-14s. This book is for children who know nothing about sheltered lives – it is gritty and brutal in places. The protagonist has troubles at home and at school. He is bullied and retaliates. He is taken into care, escapes and lives off the land for a while, before going back to find the only friend who really understood him: Lily. But Lily is ill, so he has to overcome his own safety to try to save her. But can he? And what does she know about true life, that he doesn’t?
Oliver’s Secret
A gentle mystery story of faith and friendship, for little ones 6-8-ish. Large, easy to read font, and black and white illustrations. Clare has a Chinese mum and English dad. They have been living in China, but have now come over to England to live. Clare is lonely and misses her friends. She prays for a cat, and one comes through the cat flap. But where does he come from? What is his secret? A fun bedtime story with lots to talk about!
Nobody’s Dog
Another story by Eleanor Watkins for younger readers, with an introduction to prayer and faith. Luke lives opposite the park, and often sees a stray dog on its own, looking hungry. He wants to help, but what can he do? He and his Polish neighbour, Mr Bronzovi, try to get the dog to trust them, but not everything goes to plan. Why does God allow horrid things to happen? Luke learns to trust God, as the dog learns to trust him.
Rebecca and Jade: Choices
For teens who love real-life style stories. Rebecca and Jade come from very different backgrounds, but become best friends when Jade starts at Rebecca’s school. Polar opposites, they face various trials and support each other through them all. When one of them gets pregnant, choices need to be made and they don’t agree on the way forward… A brilliant read about choices and consequences, from a pro-life stance.
Year 0033
A gripping dystopian story for young adults, set in the not too distant future, when the world is controlled by a World Council. Religion is banned. Chella belongs to the underground church, but circumstances force her and her fiancé to flee. A nail-biting read with many breathtaking twists and turns. Brilliant for young adults who care about injustice and persecution. With themes of persecution, hope, honesty, and the faithfulness of God. Will get readers on the fringes of church thinking about the relevance of the Christian faith, and inspire those who already know and love the Lord.
The City Kid
John Ouma wants to live life to the full. He wants independence, girls, fast cars and all the fun the world has to offer. But as he gets involved in corruption, his life begins to spiral out of control and he loses everything. Then, through a chance meeting with an old friend, he finds the path to life. A gritty, prodigal style story of loss and redemption. Not for readers under 13.
Living in Hope
For 8-11s. Shema and his friends live in Rwanda, in the village of Hope, for child-led families. Frida is tricked into becoming a domestic servant in the capital city, and Sam is accused of stealing… what can be done? An exciting, heart-warming adventure story with a happy ending! Great fun for family reading, with lots to discuss from a biblical point of view.
Under the Tamarind Tree
The fun sequel to Living in Hope. A new medical centre is being set up! Two new families move in to run the clinic – one from England and the other from a neighbouring city. Neither Timo nor Joshua want to be there, but when their doctor dads begin to help the local children, they want to help, too, and quickly make new friends. Great for learning about diversity and inclusion.
Deepest Darkness
For 8-11s. Abi’s life has to be planned carefully to avoid getting into panicky situations. Night terrors grip her, and anxiety rules her life. A holiday to Canada brings a new friend and the beginnings of learning to live again, as she discovers through a series of adventures that true light shines even in the deepest darkness.
Beech Bank Girls series
For 10-14s who love their friends! Six girls from a church youth club have lots of fun together… It’s not all plain sailing, though! The girls learn about life and God together as they go through the trials of life. Step-families, losing a pet, temptations, depression, a grandad with dementia, body image, online safety – read about all these and more from the perspective of this group of best friends.
A New Me
For 9-12s who enjoy reading about real life issues. Jess lives on a rough estate, and has a rough life until she moves to live with her aunt in the country. Friends at her new school and church youth group give her food for thought – and she starts a new life with Jesus. She still has many challenges to face, but goes into the future with new hope. And she and her friends foil a cockfighting gang!
A Pennyworth of Peppermints
This is an exciting spy mystery story, set in World War I, and is brilliant for 8-11s who love history. Ben, Vera and Stan find a message in a bottle on the beach. Is it just a poem, or is it a coded message? They set out to discover the truth, and find a spy! Through all their adventures, they learn about faith and forgiveness. Loads of brilliant background to what life was like for families living through the Great War. Ties in with national curriculum. The over 80s love this book, too!
London’s Gone
For 10-14s. London has been bombed by terrorists. Maria, Emily and Arthur (who is a Christian) have to make their way to safety. But is anywhere safe now? The whole of life as they knew it has gone. Phones don’t work. Shops have been looted and abandoned. Anarchy reigns. This is a gripping drama set in south east England, perfect for readers who have fled terror and any young person concerned for the future.
Revenge of the Flying Carpet
For 10-14s. Paul’s mean twin sister, Trinity, makes his life a misery. When he finds a magic carpet in his gran’s dusty loft he plans revenge, but gets a lot more than he bargained for. Time travel, adventure, imprisonment, false friends, a gripping plot – this book has them all. Then comes something totally unexpected… Helpful to teens exploring the Christian faith as well as those seeking to live for Christ.
You can buy all these books direct from this website, with quantity discounts, in case you want to bless families who come to your church. 🙂
May you be blessed this Christmas, and may your gifts also be a blessing!
Love to all in Christ,
Janet
Janet Wilson
Founder, Dernier Publishing
Good Summer Food!
Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the latest Dernier Publishing news.
Spiritual Food for Summer Reading!
Money is tight right now, but there are things we definitely need to keep spending money on.
Food is one of them!
Spiritual food is equally important.
Don’t forget to fill your children up with excellent quality food for their minds and spirits in the holidays! The odd bit of junk food probably won’t hurt, but a good diet with excellent nutrition is invaluable for excellent health.
After all, we are what we eat!
If you know a child/family who can’t afford to buy books right now to feed their children’s souls, could you step in?
You could change the course of a life with every “meal” you buy.
What about children who come to clubs and groups in the summer? Or families who come to food banks, community fridge or other initiatives at your church?
We have some fabulous books to encourage and inspire ALL the children on your heart!
Click the following links for the age group you are looking for:
Or visit your local Christian bookshop, who will be delighted to help you choose!
Don’t let your loved ones miss out. You’ve only got to turn round and they’ve grown another inch! … and learned a lot more, too… not all of which will be helpful.
We certainly need to get some good things in our children’s lives. Who’s going to do that? We can’t leave it to others – it’s too important. It’s up to you and me.
The Dove Stone Book Launch
Thanks for all your prayers for us as we worked towards getting The Dove Stone out into the world!
Author Pam Daunton had a wonderful book launch last month, in Lancashire!
Pam is a retired primary teacher, and wrote the book in a way that is suitable for schools to use in RE as well as be enjoyed by any young reader.
Please pray it will be taken up for use in many schools in the UK!
If you know a Christian teacher, please do share this page with them. The Dove Stone is an exciting story set in post-Roman Britain – the characters also learn how to pray to Father God.
It is also a page-turning story perfect for family reading, bed-time stories, or any summer reading opportunity!
Please keep praying for future projects
We’re working on an audio version of Nobody’s Dog, the ebook version of The Dove Stone, plus have other projects in the pipeline. We very much value your prayers as we work to get books out for you to pass on. Together we can make a difference!
Grace and peace to you,
Janet
Prayer/Newsletter
Thanks for being here – I hope you will find this letter a wonderful encouragement!
I saw this quote on twitter recently:
“We cannot force someone to hear a message they are not ready to receive. But we must never underestimate the power of sowing a seed.”
That’s so true, isn’t it?
A seed can stay for a long time under the ground. It might look like it’s dead, but one warm day, a little shoot might break through…
Some of these will grow and bear a crop – maybe even 100 times what was sown. That’s an awesome return!
So don’t give up planting those seeds (books!).
Books in Kenya
Here’s some really wonderful news!!!!!
Five of our titles have now been printed in partnership with CLC Christian Bookshop in Kenya!
We will be having an online event next month to launch/celebrate this wonderful new project. I’ll keep you informed – you will be very warmly invited.
So many children there are desperate for an education and thirsty for books to read for fun (but will also inspire them to follow Jesus). Some of our books are set in Africa, so are a perfect fit!
Exciting, isn’t it? 🙂
Sunday School Prizes
Many older Christians will remember looking forward to receiving their Sunday School ‘prizes’ at the end of every summer term, and remember the blessing these books were on their lives. Sadly, many churches have given up this quiet way of blessing young people.
Too many churches now don’t have any children at all… but even if yours doesn’t, could you give books away for older people to pass on to their grandchildren? Or give to families who come to a Food Bank or similar?
People are thirsty for hope in this dark world – a simple child’s story can open their eyes to the Lord’s love.
Summer Offer
With this in mind (and your own loved ones, of course!), we’d like to make you a special offer (only to readers of our newsletter).
One copy each of the following books:
A Pennyworth of Peppermints
Beech Bank Girls, A Time Remembered
Deepest Darkness
Living in Hope
Beech Bank Girls, Every Girl Has a Story
Rebecca and Jade: Choices
Under the Tamarind Tree
The Only Way
For just £39.99.
Simply contact us and we will send your books with an invoice to pay by BACS. (Limit 3 packs/customer.)
Keep them for your own library, or give them away- the choice is yours.
We’d love to help you reach out to the young people on your heart.*
Please Pray
We’d be really grateful for prayer for three particular things:
1. For the children who are reading our books right now, that the seeds may fall in good soil.
2. For wisdom for us as we plan new projects. (One is getting Nobody’s Dog on audio!).
3. For more books into more young hands.
Thanks so much.
Right, I’ve taken enough of your time. Thanks for reading! May you and your family be blessed. And don’t forget to order your special summer reading packs! All you have to do is get in touch – and we will get your books packed up.
Working together is a joy and a privilege in the kingdom of God.
Until next time,
Janet
*Retailers please contact us for current offers.
Would You Like to Write Books for Kids?
If you would like to write books for kids/teens, Janet Wilson is running a free Zoom training tomorrow (Wednesday 27th) at 11am, 3pm and 7pm, called Writing Stories for Our Time.
We would love for you to be there! This is the link to sign up.
April News
I have recently been reading the book of Proverbs, and have once again been struck by the enormous power of words, to heal or hurt; to raise up or to crush. It reminds me once again, how vital Christian books are, with their words of life, when so much around us in life hurts and crushes.
In days gone by, Sunday School book prizes were enjoyed and treasured. I have a friend, Helen, who loved her Sunday School books so much, she kept them all! When her daughter was struggling with a particular issue, she lent her one of her books and it changed her life.
Children will soon be coming back to our churches. How about welcoming them back with an exciting Christian book they can take home? Perhaps it will change the course of their lives…or even their children’s lives? I know there’s a cost involved, but what’s the cost of not doing it?
Excellent, relevant, fun Christian books feed the hungry. Our young people are desperately seeking peace, purpose, meaning and truth… all of which are found only in Jesus.
The stories we resonate with most, are the stories we can imagine ourselves in.
That’s why excellent, relevant Christian books for young people are so vital.
Video of Year 0033
We now have a video ‘trailer’ for Year 0033! Do come over to our Facebook page and share it with your friends. Our young people are loving this book. Skye sent us a review. She said, “Year 0033 is a pleasantly refreshing tale of a Christian woman in a dystopian future, struggling to deal with her past failures and present challenges. I found its particular charm to be how honestly and unashamedly focused on Jesus the characters are, whilst still maintaining a broken human nature, which sets it apart from usual fiction. It was easy to share the fears and excitement of Chella, the protagonist, as I embarked on the adventure with her, and learnt more about the curious, foreboding future world Evans has invented. Yet while being drawn into the story, I could draw encouragement from the bravery and faith of Chella and her friends. There are sweet scenes between the characters, scary moments of uncertainty, and a lot of reflection and growth on Chella’s part. Another highlight was the series of twists throughout the book, keeping me on edge just as the characters themselves felt in their often precarious situations- it meant I finished the book quite quickly, and (without giving any spoilers!) I would definitely recommend reading until the end!”
Notice that Skye said she was drawn into the story, she loved how focused on Jesus the characters were, and she could draw encouragement from the bravery and faith of Chella and her friends.
The book is just £8.99, but the value is inestimable.
You can buy the book from any store, including Christian Bookshops, which will be opening next week! (Do support them if you can – it’s been a tough year for shops.) You can also buy the book from here.
Nobody’s Dog Will Soon Have a Friend!
Nobody’s Dog will soon have a friend! Meet Oliver, who has a secret… but you’ll have to wait to find out what it is. 🙂
More info as we progress with the book! Once again, it’s by the wonderfully talented Eleanor Watkins, and illustrated by Josh Williams. (Psst – Eleanor is planning more animal stories – do you have a particular pet you’d like her to write about? If you do, please let us know!
And that’s it for this month. Please continue to pray for us, as we pray for you, and all those who are reading the books you have bought for them. We absolutely love serving you in this way! If there’s anything further we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, now and always,
Janet
P.S. Here’s the link to buy Year 0033 from our website.