Erin Greneaux

 CHILDREN'S AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Erin Greneaux delights in taking biblical truths and finding creative ways to help readers engage with them on the pages of a story.

Erin writes Christian fantasy for young readers (ages 6–10). The Enchanted Garden is the first book in The Golden Feather Gardener series. This series helps young readers grasp spiritual truths as they join two sisters on an adventure through an enchanted garden.

Let's jump into the interview with Erin to learn more about her.

1) Which children's book has most impacted you? Why?

When I was in early elementary school, my dad read the Chronicles of Narnia out loud to us. I was fascinated by how a book could transport me into another world. While there was a lot of depth to those books that went over my head, I could hear the passion and excitement in my dad’s voice as he read them to us. I knew that they were important to him, and when he read them to us, he was sharing a part of himself with us. Those read aloud story nights were a gift to us.

Children pick up more emotion behind words than adults give them credit for! As I have grown up, I have read that series again and again, and I understand something new every time. I strive to write books that have that same depth, in which children and adults alike can gain insight with each reading. While kids may not be able to iterate what they learned, they soak up the gravity of the story’s meaning in their soul.

2) What do you love about writing for kids?
I am a mom to three daughters, and before that I worked with kids in children’s ministry and an inner city ministry, so I have spent my entire life with kids. I love their imagination, the way that they see the world so differently, and the wonder and excitement that they bring to the everyday things we overlook. My girls give me so much inspiration and it is fun to watch their reactions as I read the stories to them. It is a delight to get caught up in the flitting adventure of a child’s imagination.

I also love the visible lightbulb moment when a child understands something fully for the first time. Being able to take complex ideas in the Bible and place them into a child’s mind in a way that illuminates their understanding is an absolute thrill.

3) What is it about writing a fantasy book series that most sparks your interest?
There are so many ways to convey a message but Jesus chose parables. He understood that the best way to teach a truth is oftentimes through fiction. Fiction can demonstrate the heart of a message without getting entangled in the logistics and details of a historically accurate text.

As far as fantasy goes, when writing for my daughters, there was no other choice. Unicorns, fairies, and mermaids are choice guides to teach girls ages 4-9! As a writer, it definitely helps to have no limits when creating as well. In fantasy, anything is possible, and I can create tangible visualizations of complex ideas that make sense to kids.

4) What do you hope readers take away from The Gold Feather Gardener book series?
We are created with a longing to know God. The craft of storytelling began as a way of expressing new ways to know and understand God better. For kids who know the Bible, I hope they recognize the Gardener immediately and understand on a new level what Jesus did for them on the cross. I hope that they grasp what was at stake with original sin, why Jesus had to die, and the incredible love that prompted His sacrifice.

For kids who have never encountered God, I hope that they fall in love with the Gardener and this book draws them to the Savior He represents. 

In book 2 of the series, the girls will begin learning how to develop the fruit of the Spirit. As always, my goal for the following books is to teach complex, abstract ideas like joy, honesty, and humility in a tangible way that kids understand and can live out.

5) In addition to writing for kids, you've written books and devotions for women, including Mary's Treasure: The Life of Christ Through a Mother's Eyes (A 24-Day Journey of Reflection, Art, and Poetry). You won the 2022 Illumination Book Awards in your category for this devotional set. First, tell us a bit about this project. Second, what do you hope to impart to readers in this award-winning project?

All of my writing is to help others understand and apply biblical truths to everyday life. After becoming a mother, I began to understand Mary’s story in a new way. I could imagine the difficulties of raising the Son of God, from the joy of His birth to the devastation of His death. In Mary’s Treasure, each day features a poem narrating the life of Christ from Mary’s perspective.

There is a fictional element to it in that each day Mary picks up an item to remember that moment by. Only when Jesus rises from the dead does she see how each of her treasures have a special meaning. Each poem has gorgeous watercolor artwork by Taisiia Kolisnyk that captures the emotional range of Mary’s life with gripping reality. Each day also has curated verses, an application, a prayer, and a question for reflection.

I wanted to present a devotional that pulled together the Bible’s prophesies and symbols that connect Jesus’ birth and death in a way that was simple, beautiful, and creative. Instead of being overwhelmed by all of the Old Testament references, we simply walk with Mary on her journey and discover the layers of meaning in Jesus’ sacrifice in story form.

6) What is one way you help your three girls live out their faith in everyday life?

‘Help’ is a good word because my girls are definitely a work in progress, as am I as a parent. Faith is woven into the fabric of our lives, but one practical way is to give biblical reasons for why we do what we do. 

Yes, we teach our children right and wrong but the reason behind those actions is vital. That creates a lot of conversations around loving others because God first loved us even when we were His enemies. We can forgive others because of the many things we have been forgiven for. We tell the truth because we want to earn the trust and respect of others. We are grateful for what we have because we don’t earn anything without the gifts God has given us. We don’t have this perfect and we repeat these messages A LOT but having these conversations over and over creates trails that they can follow on their own as they grow.

Be sure to keep an eye out for more author interviews! Swing by my blog on March 12th to meet the next author in this series. 

Also, mark your calendar to catch the second post in the Reaching the Lost family prayer guide series on the 10-Window next week on February 19th!

ERIN GRENEAUX is an award-winning author and stay-at-home mom of three beautiful little girls who make every day a new adventure. She's from south Louisiana and married a Cajun, which is why her last name has so many unnecessary vowels. Erin is passionate about exploring the practical application of faith in everyday life. She loves taking biblical ideas and presenting them in a way that is simple, clear, and actionable.

Erin's books: