Author Caroline B. Cook Opens Up About the New Virtue Series & Helping Children to Be More Loving

Caroline B. Cook has become one of the beloved authors after her successful book, Hungry that was released in 2022. Cook has continued to maintain a strong reputation for her incredible talent, and her repertoire will be expanded this month with her new Virtue Series for children. Its a joyous and entertaining project that is sure to be a classic in store for the kids and their families for years to come.  

The three book Virtue Series will feature Joy Is, Kind Is and Still Is, and all three will bring surprises, hugs and fun for the little ones. Each one of the Virtue Series brings creativity with a different approach for each topic. Joy Is celebrates the simple delights in both the childs life as well as the adult. Kind Is teaches the importance of serving those in need, and Still Is reminds all of us to quiely pause and see the goodness all aroud us. These are monents that will remain with the parents and their children for generations to come. 

Q: Caroline, thank you for doing this interview. Would you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

HI! Soooo... I am a 50 year old mother of 4!  A wife of 26 years to my husband West...an Austin TX native - who came to Vanderbilt for college and never left Nashville!  I have a very full life these days - we are still raising our 15 year old son at home, visiting a daughter in college often - and being a "coach" to my 2 adult girls who are gainfully employed! YAY! I am a real estate agent - which is A LOT of fun - but I am also growing a precious ministry that I have been doing for over 10 years - Cute Dumb Sheep!  Writing is something that I am loving as well...I released HUNGRY 2 years ago - a memoir of my recovery from an Eating Disorder - and now with The Virtue Series!  I look at each day as an adventure!  I just listen to what is around me and see what God wants me to do!!  Oh and I have been speaking around the country to girls about my eating disorder recovery story as well - I love to speak! 

Q: Why did you become interested in writing books for children?

I actually "wrote" these book about 10 years ago - had them printed at a local printing company in paperback.  I had my mom illustrate them - she is a very talented artist!  I wrote them because I just knew I could do a better job than some of the popular books that were out.  Reading with your little ones - something I did every night for over a decade - is sooooo special!  So important - and such an opportunity to fill their hearts and minds with GOOD!  I knew I could come up with something that was engaging, beautiful, edifying, AND maybe something that would bring others to know who God is.  

Q: Tell us more about the New Virtue Series.

About 4 years ago I knew in my heart that The Virtue Series deserved more than just a paperback.  In fact there were stores that wouldn't even carry it because it didn't have a true spine!  Just about that time my mom met Esther Fedd with the Fedd Agency in Austin - and they encouraged us to take them to the next level!  It took a while - but we finally did it! We wanted to make sure we loved these new hardback versions just as much as the originals!  Because people really did love the original ones.  We went line by line - page by page and made sure that we had a peace about each book.  We do!  We love them and believe they will be around for years to come!

Q: Can you tell us a little about each of the three books you have written?

So the original titles were "Still is Being Quiet", "Joy is Christmas Morning", and " Kind is Saying Thank You".  Each book walks the reader through the realities of the specific virtue.  Being still, encompassing joy, and being kind are all 3 important fruits of knowing God.  I get so annoyed when I am in a worship service and I don't see JOY on people's faces - I mean - there is nothing more wonderful than knowing God is in control! No frowning allowed! We should be beaming that He loves us and wants the best for us! And if someone claims God and isn't kind - that is going to be hard for a non believer to think following God is real!  We should be the kindest people on the planet!  These are just simple truths - but profound!  

Q: Children usually have a short attention span. How do you write to grab and sustain their attention?

Oh goodness yes - and parents attention span is bad too!  Anyone can write a children's books - but these virtue series rhyme!  They are almost like a song!  They are just the right length - not too long not too short!  The illustrations are simple and beautiful - believe me children love these books! 

Q: The pictures are another highlight of the book. Can you tell us more about your illustrator, Trisha T. Bridges?

Yes - like I mentioned before - my mom is the illustrator!  This project we embarked on has been one of the highlights of our lives!  She really had to get out of her comfort zone to draw each page - her usual medium is oil paint.  But she did an awesome job!

Q: How do your new books help children become more caring and loving?

The Virtue Series is going to give kids practical examples of being kind, being joyful, and being still - all good and worthwhile things!  Kind Is particularly deals with caring and loving others - something our culture is dying for!  I love the page that says kind is "playing with the little girl who is sitting all alone".  We are living in a time where people are lonelier than ever - I have even had parents say that they feel like this little girl!  What if we looked out for those who seemed lonely - instead of only looking out for who we want to hang out with.  Simple.  But oh so powerful!  And another page is "kind is serving meals to those who have nothing to eat".  Serving others is a vital piece of the life of the christian! I hope kids and parents alike read this book and make a plan to do just that!  

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Cook who is a writer, speaker and educator, will be active this fall and next year with interviews for her new books. To keep updates for her schedule, you can check with her website, Instagram, and Facebook, 

 

 

 

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