Jill Roman Lord

CHILDREN'S AUTHOR INTERVIEW

With every children's book Jill Roman Lord writes, she aspires to point little ones to the Lord and hopes adults with kids perched on their laps find joy reading her books together.

Aside from crafting 30 children's books, Jill worked as a nurse anesthetist for 25 years. Jill has been an avid runner for 35 years. Her years of jogging alongside her dog sparked creativity and connection to God.  

Let's dive into our interview with Jill to learn more about her and her writing career.

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

Probably Dr. Seuss books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these books to my kids when they were little and they loved them! We all especially loved the I Wish That I Had Duck Feet book (Dr. Seuss/ Theo LeSieg). I remember thinking that I would love to write a book like that some time, that kids enjoyed that much. I especially loved the fun rhyme and that the rhymes were perfect every time.

2) What do you love about writing for kids?

I love helping instill biblical truths to children in a way they can understand, relate to, and enjoy. I love perhaps helping kids see another side of God or Jesus that they may not have seen before, maybe a characteristic that draws them closer into a relationship with Him. I love that my books might be their first glimpse of Jesus and His love for them.

3) Your picture book, That Grand Easter Day, won the 2019 Selah Book of the Year. Why do you think this book resonates with young readers?

This is a fun book walking kids through the Easter story in a repetitive manner similar to the house that Jack built. When it’s read, they can anticipate what the next words will be and join in. Also, the pictures are fabulous! They’re almost a Disney-character style which I love. (I can say this as I literally had nothing to do with the illustrations.) Perhaps the combination of beautiful pictures and a fun rhyming story draw the readers in.

4) As a children's author who uses rhythming text, how does this type of writing engage young readers? 

Good rhyme is generally fun to hear if it doesn’t drone on and on. Kids that have a hard time sitting still for a whole story, may be able to sit still for a short rhyming book. Rhymes may help children learn individual sounds in words which are important in learning to read. I just hope to write stories that kids will enjoy hearing and will ask for over and over again. At the same time, I’m hoping the caregivers will enjoy reading them as well.

5) What inspired the idea for The Silent Noisy Night, which received third place in the 2019 Selah Book of the Year awards?

One Christmas season, I was imagining what it must have been like being there, in that stable in Bethlehem, when Jesus was born. I imagined all the animals that scooted over to share their space and it kind of took off from there. I didn’t know exactly what it would look like when I started writing, but it turned out to be a huge celebration by all of creation. This book has been sold in Walmart stores and most recently at Cracker Barrels. The pictures are amazing which really helped make it a fun Christmas book for children.

6) How does your theme Bible verse (Psalm 40:8 which reads, "I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is within in my heart") guide your writing for children?

I truly try to wait for God’s inspiration in all of my writing. If it’s not His will, why do it? While not all of my stories have gotten published, I believe writing them draws me closer to God, helps me depend on Him, and I trust He’ll see the ones through that can touch other people’s lives. 

I learn with every story to trust God’s timing, His perfect will. Some of them seem to simply be stepping stones to other stories. It keeps me writing for Him. Keeps me focused on Him and trusting and in constant communication with Him. I feel that God has given each of us gifts and talents to use for His will and His glory. We’re not helping anyone if we keep them to ourselves. I’m just trying to do my part, using the gifts He has given me to let Him touch other people’s lives in whatever way He chooses. Hopefully my writing will somehow bring others closer to God.

JILL ROMAN LORD is an author of about 30 books, a freelance writer, and nurse anesthetist. With over two decades of writing, Jill’s children’s books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Selah Book of the year award in 2019 and the Serious Writer Book of the year award in 2022 for Dream Big, My Precious One. She enjoys running, sipping coffee, and indulging in dark chocolate. It is her passion to help children grow closer to Jesus through her writing.

 

A sampling of Jill's books: