Caryn Rivadeneira's Blog

Frankinschool: The Cupsnake Escape

In Book 2 of the award-winning Frankinschool mystery series, the Fred, Luisa, Drake, and the gang are off on more ghostly What-If adventures–this time through the local high school. And once again, Fred and Luisa find themselves in trouble when the new student mixes up recipes at their class’s bakery field trip leading to snakes running amok. While the students scramble out of the school in fear, Fred and Luisa suspect their old friend Frank is behind the Great Cupsnake Escape. Once again, they put their creativity, their cooperation, and their courage to the test—but will it be enough to save the school from the snakes?

Read on and find out!

A sample chapter is available here. Frankinschool: The Cupsnake Escape is available online at B&N, Bookshop.org, and Amazon–and available at your favorite local bookseller.

Awards and Accolades for Frankinschool: Monster Match

Hello, Frankinschool!

Eight years ago, my kid came home from school with a book from an author visit. We’d pre-ordered it. I’d carefully written my son’s name on the form. But when my son received the book, it was signed, “To Frank.” My son’s name is not Frank.

And yet, this author’s (super understandable) mistake launched an idea. “What if,” I teased my son, “you were actually Frank In School.”

Anyway, because writers are the weirdest people on earth, this idea then turned into a silly poem, which turned into a chapter book for young readers. Because of other book projects and life and work (and just the realness of the publishing industry), Frankinschool took a while to find a home. But then, he found the perfect one, with my friends at Red Chair Press, who brought in the amazing Dani Jones to illustrate it–perfectly. I’m delighted that Frankinschool will have four adventures with his friends, starting with Frankinschool: Monster Match, which launches August 1.

So, here’s the gist: After being out sick and missing an author visit, Fred arrives at school to find the author has signed his copy of the book To Frank. Fred’s desk-mate Luisa suggest that he might be Frank in school? When their teacher assigns them a What If Poem, Fred runs with this idea, writing a poem that unlocks some school magic. Fred transforms into Frankinschool, Luisa into Princesa Luisa. Together, they set out to save their teacher and classmates from Frank-the-Book-Stealing Attic Ghost and the mysterious sleeping potion streaming through the school. The book may be a cozy ghost story, but ultimately it’s about the power of pretend — and of forgiveness and letting go.

Here’s what some folks are saying:

“The author crafts an unusual story akin to Danny Dunn or Encyclopedia Brown… An engrossing story that will delight all readers with its intriguing tale of self-discovery, transformation, magic, and changed interpersonal relationship skills.”  –D. Donovan, Editor, Donovan’s Literary Svcs

“Only Caryn Rivadeneira could manage to pair a monster with a message of grace and forgiveness. Frankinschool is simply brilliant…humorous and heartwarming.” — Glenys Nellist, former schoolteacher and author of the Little Mole series

“Kids will love the relatable characters in Caryn Rivadeneira’s delightfully creepy–and not too scary–tale about the power of imagination and the meaning of grace.” — Sonja Anderson, Elementary School Librarian and author of Sophie’s Quest.

“Relatable, funny, and just the right about of creepy, kids will love Fred and his friends and their life-affirming adventures.” — Jennifer Grant, award-winning author of Once Upon a Time, Not So Long Ago

Hope you check it out!

Pre-orders are open now. The book will be available everywhere August 1.

Book News

With Edward and Annie launching on March 1 and Saints of Feather and Fang hitting stores April 19, my promotional-organizational skills are being stretched! So, this landing page promises to help curate the fun places and ways I get to talk about these amazing animals and their stories.

First up: CBS Chicago features the penguins and me.

 

New Books This Spring!

I’m thrilled to announce that I have two books releasing in Spring 2022: Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure (Tommy Nelson, in parnership with the Shedd Aquarium) and Saints of Feather and Fang: How the Animals We Love and Fear Connect Us to God (Broadleaf Books). Yay for animal themes!

Edward and Annie follows the adventures of two viral-sensation penguins through the Shedd Aquarium as they wonder why no one was visting. It was such a pleasure working with the fine folks at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, who deepened my understanding of and appreciation for penguin behavior — and for the conservation work they do. What a privilege to imagine and share this story.

In Saints of Feather and Fang, I return to the world of writing for grown-ups — after a seven-year sabbatical! As much as I love writing for children, I’ve been thinking about how animals point us toward our creator since I was little — and it was high time to put down some words. I’m super proud that Saints is already garnering some wonderful words from folks I deeply admire.

Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus and How to Be a Good Creature, says: “Animals have always been my teachers, my mentors, my inspiration. In them, I see the face of the Creator. Caryn Rivadeneira’s sometimes sweet, sometimes funny, always touching stories remind us that each of God’s creatures is sacred and holy, with lessons to teach us all about His love.”

Gayle Boss, author of All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings and Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, says: Caryn Rivadeneira’s sparkling mosaic of stories, science, and scripture about animals will have you seeing God in pit bulls and pythons, hedgehogs and sheepdogs. Warmly, and with wit, she reveals One Great Love streaming through everything that breathes, redeeming us all, together.

Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Introducing: The Helper Hounds Series!

Last month, the first two early-reader chapter books in the Helper Hounds series launched. WooHoo! It’s been terrific hearing from those who’ve enjoyed reading the helpful adventures of Sparky and Penny. I’m particularly grateful to Priscilla Alpaugh for her amazing illustrations (so fun!) and to Keith Garton and Red Chair Press for believing in the stories of these rescued hounds.

Here’s a bit about each book:

Sparky Helps Mary Make New Friends: Mary’s new in town. She’s worried about starting classes at her new school. That’s why her mom calls the Helper Hounds―and why Sparkplug, the wildly handsome, wickedly smart, card-carrying, world-famous Helper Hound is on the scene. Sparky knows a thing or two about moving. He moved four times as a puppy, and learned to make new friends along the way. Sparky knows he can teach Mary all his best tricks and help her meet new friends, too. At least Sparky thought he could until he met Custard, Mary’s persnickety cat. Will Sparky’s best tricks be enough to win over Custard and show Mary making friends is nothing to fear?

 

Penny Helps Portia Face Her Fears: Portia has overcome a lot in life. Born with Down syndrome, Portia has been through many surgeries, lots of doctor’s appointments, and strange looks from people who want to limit what she can do. Inside herself, Portia knows she can do anything―including getting over her fear of dogs. But when Penny shows up at Portia’s house, she isn’t so sure. After all, Penny is a pit bull―the scariest dogs of all, right? Good thing Penny has a few tricks of her own to win Portia’s trust.

The first two Helper Hounds are available everywhere books are sold. Look for the next two stories (Robot and Noodle!) in August and the final two (King Tut the Mutt and Spooky!) January 2021.

 

Introducing: Generous Kids

A little over a year ago, Andrew DeYoung, my editor at Beaming Books, came to me with an idea. Would I, he asked, be interested in writing three books, for three age groups around the SAME idea–namely, generosity?

I loved everything about the project: the challenge for me as a writer (could I come up with three different enough stories on the same theme?) and as a parent and a person of faith (what does generosity really look or act like in different age groups?), and the fun I had working with the amazing folks at Beaming Books and Brightpeak Financial.

I’m really proud of how the Generous Kids books, Mine! A Counting Book about Sharing, It’s Not Fair! A Book about Having Enough, and The Wrong Shoes: A Book About Money and Self-Esteem turned out. They’re fun and engaging–not preachy. Kids love reading them, and teachers, parents, and care-givers will love them as well.

Downloadable resources for discussion will be available at BeamingBooks.com.

Enjoy!

         

 

 

Introducing: Grit and Grace

Last spring, my editor asked if I had time to work on an article with a quick deadline.

I didn’t. After all, I was surrounded by friends I see only every two years, smack-dab in the middle of my favorite conference: the Festival of Faith and Writing.

But, the article sounded fun. And easy enough. My editor simply wanted a round-up of beautiful Bible names for baby girls, along with their meanings. So, I said yes. And began flipping through the pages of the Bible to my favorite stories of some of my favorite women of the Bible. Then I turned to stories of other women I’d long forgotten. Some of them did indeed have beautiful Bible names, others, not so much.

But, what each of these women did have was a powerful story. By the time I’d completed my long list of names, I was weepy. It’s hard not to be when you realize the amazing role women and girls have in the pages of Scripture, in the love story of God and his people. And when you realize the amazing roles women and girls have today–and have had throughout history.

However, we tend to overlook these women. We forget that they weren’t bit players or members of the chorus. These women were chosen by God to have mighty, leading roles in his story. And we tend to forget that these mighty women of the Bible operated in a world where they had no rights, no say, no value. Well, except to God.

He’s always seen his daughters rightful, valuable, wise heirs–right along with his sons.

All to say, when I was done with my article and done with my weepiness, I asked my friend Carla–a children’s book editor who attended the conference with me–what she thought about a book that looked at these women. Not as fairy tale princesses as they’re often presented, but as the fierce and brave women and girls they were. And what if, we read their stories through their eyes. She liked it. And one thing lead to another (getting a book published is never easy! I don’t mean to make it sound like magic), and I signed a contract with SparkHouse Family to write Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible.

It was a wild proposition, since it required re-imagining the stories. The Bible doesn’t always give lots of details, but God does also give us minds and imaginations and emotions and history books to help us understand what their lives must’ve been like.

The book was one of the hardest–and greatest–projects I’ve ever worked on. I came away admiring these women–and adoring the God who empowered them–like never before.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share selections from the book and a bit more on the behind-the-scenes moments. It’s available August 15, but you can pre-order now!

Waiting Is a Wilderness: An Excerpt

Tweet

Somewhere in the midst of my reeling with God, doubting  his goodness and questioning his role as provider, my friend Marlena Graves offered me these words: “God did not lead you to this desert to die.” Though the words offered little comfort about our current situation (God lead us to a desert, after all. And we’d have time spend some time in that scorching, barren place), they did offer promise. And perspective. Those words opened my eyes to the wonder of what God had in store. After all, if God hadn’t led us to the desert to die. What did he lead us here for? Marlena’s simple sentence, her wise words became the backbone sentiment (if there can be such a thing) that eventually lead to my book, Broke. I’m forever grateful to her prophetic gift and mystic mind. And I’m thrilled to be able to share a bit more of her wisdom in this place. 

The following is an excerpt from Marlena Grave’s amazing new book, A  Beautiful Disaster (Brazos Press June 2014). Used with permission (from pages 121-122).

***

It is another way in which my strengths and weaknesses, my insecurities and idolatries are revealed. When I wait, I discover what I truly believe about God. I discover what possesses me and how much of God’s life I possess.

There’s no doubt that waiting is one of the most difficult disciplines in the Christian life. God desires that we learn to wait well—that we trust him without panicking. “Trust we put in God honours him much, and draws down great graces,” Brother Lawrence tells us.[i] Waiting well, a grueling discipline that becomes a grace the more we practice, is not reserved for those aspiring to be in the kingdom-of-God hall of fame. It is something God desires for each one of us. It is a gift of God for the masses.

I think that it’s during the wait, more than at any other time, that Christ is being formed in us. In a sense, then, waiting is the womb of the kingdom in which we are formed. It is intimately connected with silence and solitude and even with darkness. While we wait, we cannot see ahead.

During the wait, new dimensions of the God-life are being formed in us. Most of the time, we aren’t even fully aware of what is transpiring. But while we wait and as we learn to pay attention to the details of life right in front of us, we discover that God’s grace is “always hidden under the strangest appearances,” as Jean-Pierre de Caussade says.[ii] Life all around us is full of nooks and crannies, of delights and wonders—some of which have always been there but we’ve yet to see. The season of waiting slows us down so that we notice. If we let it, it has the potential to slow us down so that we can be still and know God.

Of course, being in this womb can be terrifying because we cannot anticipate the unknown, and, naturally, we like to know what is going on. It also might be terrifying because we fear that we’ll always be waiting—waiting for a relationship to materialize or for the redemptive resolution of a situation. And it is true that there are things we will wait for throughout our lives. We will wait for the resurrection of the just, for God to make all things new. God will give us the grace we need to wait for these things. As we turn to him, the pain and angst over such a wait will lessen. Our vision and understanding will widen so that anxiety will no longer dominate our world. God uses waiting to enlarge our souls.

–Marlena Graves, Beautiful Disaster, A: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness">A Beautiful Disaster: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness

[i]Andrew Murray, “Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life,” Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice.iii.iii.html (accessed April 14, 2013).

[ii]Jean-Pierre de Caussade, The Joy of Full Surrender (Orleans, MA: Paraclete Press, 2008).

Waiting Is a Wilderness: An Excerpt

Somewhere in the midst of my reeling with God, doubting  his goodness and questioning his role as provider, my friend Marlena Graves offered me these words: “God did not lead you to this desert to die.” Though the words offered little comfort about our current situation (God lead us to a desert, after all. And we’d have time spend some time in that scorching, barren place), they did offer promise. And perspective. Those words opened my eyes to the wonder of what God had in store. After all, if God hadn’t led us to the desert to die. What did he lead us here for? Marlena’s simple sentence, her wise words became the backbone sentiment (if there can be such a thing) that eventually lead to my book, Broke. I’m forever grateful to her prophetic gift and mystic mind. And I’m thrilled to be able to share a bit more of her wisdom in this place. 

The following is an excerpt from Marlena Grave’s amazing new book, A  Beautiful Disaster (Brazos Press June 2014). Used with permission (from pages 121-122).

***

It is another way in which my strengths and weaknesses, my insecurities and idolatries are revealed. When I wait, I discover what I truly believe about God. I discover what possesses me and how much of God’s life I possess.

There’s no doubt that waiting is one of the most difficult disciplines in the Christian life. God desires that we learn to wait well—that we trust him without panicking. “Trust we put in God honours him much, and draws down great graces,” Brother Lawrence tells us.[i] Waiting well, a grueling discipline that becomes a grace the more we practice, is not reserved for those aspiring to be in the kingdom-of-God hall of fame. It is something God desires for each one of us. It is a gift of God for the masses.

I think that it’s during the wait, more than at any other time, that Christ is being formed in us. In a sense, then, waiting is the womb of the kingdom in which we are formed. It is intimately connected with silence and solitude and even with darkness. While we wait, we cannot see ahead.

During the wait, new dimensions of the God-life are being formed in us. Most of the time, we aren’t even fully aware of what is transpiring. But while we wait and as we learn to pay attention to the details of life right in front of us, we discover that God’s grace is “always hidden under the strangest appearances,” as Jean-Pierre de Caussade says.[ii] Life all around us is full of nooks and crannies, of delights and wonders—some of which have always been there but we’ve yet to see. The season of waiting slows us down so that we notice. If we let it, it has the potential to slow us down so that we can be still and know God.

Of course, being in this womb can be terrifying because we cannot anticipate the unknown, and, naturally, we like to know what is going on. It also might be terrifying because we fear that we’ll always be waiting—waiting for a relationship to materialize or for the redemptive resolution of a situation. And it is true that there are things we will wait for throughout our lives. We will wait for the resurrection of the just, for God to make all things new. God will give us the grace we need to wait for these things. As we turn to him, the pain and angst over such a wait will lessen. Our vision and understanding will widen so that anxiety will no longer dominate our world. God uses waiting to enlarge our souls.

–Marlena Graves, Beautiful Disaster, A: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness">A Beautiful Disaster: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness

[i]Andrew Murray, “Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life,” Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice.iii.iii.html (accessed April 14, 2013).

[ii]Jean-Pierre de Caussade, The Joy of Full Surrender (Orleans, MA: Paraclete Press, 2008).

I Am One of Them

Tweet

Years ago, an Emergent Christian radio host teased me about my Reformed-ness on his radio show. The conversation left both of us confused. Him, I’m sure by my claiming Reformed theology took the same holistic approach I saw in the Emerging Church (especially in areas of erasing that line between sacred and secular. We got rid of it long ago…). Me, by how this smart man seemed to know nothing of Reformed theology.

The confusion would continue as I’d read critiques (or worse) on Reform-ed-ness across the internet and wonder who on earth they were talking about. Certainly it couldn’t be the Reformed-folks at my Christian Reformed Church or who’d taught and attended my college. Apparently not, since plenty of these same folks who criticized Reformed preachers and writers would show up at the Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing and celebrate the greatness of the school, the inclusiveness of the festival, the rightness of the world. And I’d think, Duh. This is how Reformed works!

What I didn’t know then, but do know now is that the radio host and the internet were speaking of “different” kinds of Reformed. A kind I’d come to resent, a kind that would cause me–and others–to claim, “I’m not one of those.”

And I did this right up until last week–when I posted the wonderful (wish-I’d-have-written) “I’m Not Kind of Reformed” and when I nearly stood up and cheered upon reading “So What’s Wrong with Neo-Calvinism” by Bob Robinson (as it appeared at Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed blog).

Robinson claims that instead of calling themselves “Reformed” or “Neo-Reformed” or “Neo-Calvinist,” this young, restless and reformed set who seem to put God’s rules above his revelations and God’s wrath above his grace should claim “Neo-Puritan” as a more appropriate name. And I concur. I like it. Neo-Puritan tells us that they indeed are Calvinist in nature, but differentiates “them” from the Reformed denominations who seem to view the world and God’s work in it, quite differently than the other Reformed set.

However, what I really liked about Neo-Puritan wasn’t just that it was more accurate. I liked it because it would mean I wouldn’t have to keep saying, “I’m not one of them.”

While my brain slurped up that delicious thought, my heart and soul gagged on it. I think the Holy Spirit had something to do with this. After all, that “I’m not one” of them is a lie. A horrible denial of my identity. Of my family.

Because of course, as long as anyone claims Jesus as Lord, has accepted his gift of grace, I am one of them. No matter how or where they worship–be it in a church, a beach, or a prison–no matter what sins they commit or cover up, if them claim Jesus, I claim them. I am one of them. In Christ.

No matter where they (or you) stand on women preachers, on gay marriage, on gun control, on who can take or administer the sacraments, on what even are the sacraments, on divorce, on drums in church or organ, on bikinis, on dancing or drinking or drug-taking, on confession, on prayer books, on premarital sex, on speaking in tongues, on corporal punishment, on public vs. home vs. Christian school, on whether James was really Jesus’ brother or not, on abortion, on birth control, on infant baptism, on predestination, on the rapture, on confession, or on any of the 100 zillion issues of doctrine or theology or “preference” we disagree on, I am one of them. In Christ.

We don’t need to be unified in all things or even try to agree on all things (the Bible would be a lot clearer on many issues if God wanted it this way). And I’m grateful for denominational and theological differences among believers. I love learning and challenging and being challenged. And I’m grateful that God has allowed his church to grow and reach others in such diverse ways with such diverse views.

But I can’t forget: we are brothers and sisters in Christ. No matter our differences, we are family. Galations 3 makes this clear.

As my actual (by blood and marriage) family will tell you, this means I will not hesitate to push back. I might even roll my eyes or raise my voice. I may walk off in a huff and write angry emails (or blog posts). But if you love Jesus, you are my family and–this may terrify some of you–but I am yours. All of us bought and freed by the same blood, all of us united for eternity (yikes, right? Is it bad that I hope we get to challenge each other perfectly in heaven?) by the same grace, all of us loved and welcomed and forgiven again and again (and again and again) by the same great God.

I am one of them, those, that kind. Thank God.