Emmy award-winning journalist and ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis has created an inspiring new picture book that encourages children to celebrate and be thankful for the everyday blessings of life.
The World is Awake follows two siblings throughout their day, taking in the wonders of life’s blessings. It is such a sweet story and one that will resonate with little ones. I absolutely loved this book and found many teachable moments with my children.
Mrs. Davis will be hosting a book reading and signing at Parnassus tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. Learn more about the author and this book in her interview with us below.
- What are some ways that she encourages her son to look for the blessings around him?
My son does a lot of gardening with the woman who watches him while my husband and I are at work. I have found this to be a valuable lesson and analogy to use for him when talking about the everyday blessings. He learns about nurturing and growth. I have followed his lead here. Since he initially asked me about God in connection to nature, I often go back to that. So when he asks why it’s raining, we talk about God watering the plants and vegetables. We talk about virtues like patience and kindness, as it pertains to gardening and God. He loves animals and watching little insects and butterflies and bees, etc. so I think for us its just about connecting the dots back to the creator of all this around that he delights in. I think there is a constant acknowledgement that God made that.
- As a busy working mom, what are ways that she slows down to celebrate everyday blessings?
We often get so busy as parents that we are looking from task to task and constantly ticking off a list. But I would say this book gave me a chance to demonstrate the renewed vision I personally gained by having a child. So often as adults I think it’s easy to stop paying attention to the marvels all around us—the sunsets, rainbows or bunny rabbits. But my son has redirected my attention with his excitement and enthusiasm. He squeals, “Oooo look at the butterflies!” He’s so eager to point out what he sees and looks and chases squirrels or falling snowflakes. And that’s infectious and often things I simply had stopped noticing. Now I find myself pointing out things I know he’ll love with the same vigor and say, “Ooooo..look at that chipmunk!”
I would equate writing this book with remembering how good it feels to really look at a sunrise or watch a bee in a flower or roll around in fresh-cut grass. So I would say this book is my expression of all have regained through looking at life through the eyes of a child and all there is to be gained from that.
- What does she hope readers will gain from this story?
I hope children will see this as a whimsical and fun way to take on the day and experience and bask in all of God’s splendor around them from the animals to the sunrise to all of nature that is just waiting to be embraced. I also hope they won’t even put a value on the kids being different colors. In the market scene and zoo scene, the kids are all over the spectrum. That is by design. The world is becoming a more colorful place. I hope that when you are introduced to that on a regular basis, it’s not something that ever has to be learned. It just is. And I’d like to think that parents will find this as a refreshing reminder that sometimes it’s best to remember what it feels and looks like to see and explore the world with the zeal and excitement of a child. I hope children will see this as a whimsical and fun way to take on the day and experience and bask in all of God’s splendor around them from the animals to the sunrise to all of nature that is just waiting to be embraced.
Stop by Parnassus tomorrow evening to meet Linsey and pick a copy of this adorable book!