Jennifer Jahn lives in the land of four seasons in northern Kentucky with her husband, four children, seventeen chickens, seven ducks, and one giant
Bernedoodle. Jennifer hopes her books show children that they lovingly belong to God, can create in ways that glorify Him, and should always seek His truth as they learn about God and His wonderful world!
Visit Jennifer Jahn online
God's Wide, Wonderful World
God's world is wonderful! Join a silly narwhal as he explores God’s creation and introduces children to six classes of animals. Readers will delight at the narwhal’s unsuccessful disguises as he tries to join each class, from the reptiles (as a turtlecorn?) to the land mammals (a moosicorn?), before he lands where he belongs. While children giggle over the narwhal’s silliness, they will . . . • Learn that God is the Creator of all things • Explore six scientific classes of animals • Meet dozens of God’s animal creatures—from a slimy axolotl to a whiskered walrus This delightful board book is perfect for young animal lovers and ends with a reminder that people—including each little reader—are the greatest part of God’s wide, wonderful creation!
- ISBN: B0F7DQGH6X
- Publisher: B&H Publishing
Interview with Jennifer Jahn
Jennifer Jahn is a debut children’s book author and full-time homeschooling mother of four with a passion for teaching kids about God in fun, effective ways.
“I’ve been a homeschool mom for 11 years now, and it has seeped into my writing, which means it’s (hopefully) fun, engaging, and educational,” Jennifer shared.
Jahn’s interest in writing children’s books began in community college. “I took a children’s literature course,” she explained, “and it changed my life! Each book was its own world, so full, so much in so few pages. I knew it was the genre I wanted to be part of.”
However, it wasn’t until November 2020 that Jennifer got serious about writing and publishing.
“I have a friend who published a picture book in 2016, something I’ve always wanted to do,” Jahn said, “and about 4 years later I finally gathered enough courage to jump into this writing/publishing world.”
Like many writers, Jennifer gathers ideas and inspiration from a variety of sources, including other writings and homeschooling.
“Reading a wonderful book, a great sentence, or even a wonderful song lyric spurs me to write,” she said. “It’ll either spark an idea, an image, or it was just so good that I just had to write!”
As far as the impact of homeschooling on her writing, Jahn explained, “I can’t get away from teaching something. With God’s Wide, Wonderful World, it really came together when we decided to introduce the classes of animals. The fun and sort of fantasy element came in with a ‘cleverly’ disguised talking narwhal.”
But most importantly, Jennifer hopes her stories always point to God, who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do.
About God’s Wide, Wonderful World
The original idea for God’s Wide, Wonderful World was inspired by God’s omnipotence.
“I wanted children to understand that He is all-powerful,” Jennifer said. “In the first draft, I tried to show His power through all of creation - food, animals, and people. As the story developed, we brought that idea into clearer focus by concentrating on animals. Through the diversity of animal classes and the uniqueness of each creature, children can see a vivid picture of God’s creative power on display.”
Jahn went on to describe more about how she has seen and been impacted by this facet of God’s nature.
“I think God pulls our focus to specific attributes of His during specific times of our lives. I didn’t know it at the time, but now, as the book is coming to its publication date, I cannot get enough of God’s power, His might, and His majesty. Also, I’ve always (since committing my life to Jesus) thought it was awesome that there is truly so much variety to life…whether you’re a bird enthusiast, a biologist, a foodie. God provides joy in every way!”
With all the awe Jennifer holds for God’s greatness, it’s no surprise that some of the key themes throughout the book are God’s power and creativity.
“God is Creator. God is creative,” she said. “He created us. He created two genders. He created us at a very specific time and order, apart from the animals, and (this part is in the Parent Connection) we are the greatest part of His creation because we carry His image.”
Jahn hopes that when people read her book, “they come to know more about who God is and what He has done, so that their foundation - understanding who they are in Christ and who they belong to - becomes even stronger.”
Author Life
Managing Writing Time with Homeschooling/Mothering: “I’m a night owl and we always have siesta time in our home so both those times are my ‘office hours.’ We also homeschool in the morning. That’s when we’re at our best. I do what I can to protect our homeschool schedule. The rest of the day is for any lessons, hanging out, friends, taking care of ducks and chickens…a little bit of this and a little bit of that.’
Most Enjoyable Part of Writing: “The whole writing process. I have always enjoyed writing. From the beginning to the end. Though I do put off revision, editing, even proofreading for as long as I can, once I get into it I actually enjoy that part too.”
Lessons from Rejections: “I actually posted them [rejections] on my website for others to see that the no’s were not the end of the world. It was two years of submitting when my agent said ‘yes’ and about a year later when B&H Kids offered their contract. The biggest thing I learned was it’s all God’s timing, none of the work is wasted, and as long as I keep following Him and doing the work He planned for me, then none of the no’s or even the yeses are the be-all and end-all.”
Most Significant part of Publication Journey: “The biggest part of the journey was that ‘once upon a time’ (my pre-Jesus days) I just wanted to be published. The dream was to see my book in the supermarket…yes, in the 80’s they actually had a book aisle! Now, it’s to turn young eyes to Jesus, to know who God is, to know they belong to Him, to seek His truth, and to want to create for His glory.”
Biggest Impact of being a Published Author: “The biggest impact has been the hands that have held the book. I really didn’t think anyone outside my 8-15 people would read it. It’s beyond anything I imagined.”
Funnest Activity as a Published Author: “Getting to order a stuffie that looks like the main animal of my book.”
Toughest part of Writing Children’s Books: “I think the toughest is just my own thoughts. Sometimes I think the market is saturated. That the story has already been told over and over again. That I have nothing new to say.”
What’s Next in terms of Writing: “I am currently working on edits for my second book (that is so fun too!) with the publisher. It is going to be a beautiful picture book. I’m very excited just to look at it. I am also working on a first draft of a 30-day devotional.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jenny Fulton is a wife, mother, author, blogger, and freelance writer. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she grew up hearing stories from my dad about the supernatural workings on the Navajo Reservation. As a child, she collected angels and loved anything related to fairy tales. Her days are now mostly spent raising my three young daughters and writing as much as time and opportunity allows. Follow her at her blog, Heart Soul Mind.
“I’ve been a homeschool mom for 11 years now, and it has seeped into my writing, which means it’s (hopefully) fun, engaging, and educational,” Jennifer shared.
Jahn’s interest in writing children’s books began in community college. “I took a children’s literature course,” she explained, “and it changed my life! Each book was its own world, so full, so much in so few pages. I knew it was the genre I wanted to be part of.”
However, it wasn’t until November 2020 that Jennifer got serious about writing and publishing.
“I have a friend who published a picture book in 2016, something I’ve always wanted to do,” Jahn said, “and about 4 years later I finally gathered enough courage to jump into this writing/publishing world.”
Like many writers, Jennifer gathers ideas and inspiration from a variety of sources, including other writings and homeschooling.
“Reading a wonderful book, a great sentence, or even a wonderful song lyric spurs me to write,” she said. “It’ll either spark an idea, an image, or it was just so good that I just had to write!”
As far as the impact of homeschooling on her writing, Jahn explained, “I can’t get away from teaching something. With God’s Wide, Wonderful World, it really came together when we decided to introduce the classes of animals. The fun and sort of fantasy element came in with a ‘cleverly’ disguised talking narwhal.”
But most importantly, Jennifer hopes her stories always point to God, who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do.
About God’s Wide, Wonderful World
The original idea for God’s Wide, Wonderful World was inspired by God’s omnipotence.
“I wanted children to understand that He is all-powerful,” Jennifer said. “In the first draft, I tried to show His power through all of creation - food, animals, and people. As the story developed, we brought that idea into clearer focus by concentrating on animals. Through the diversity of animal classes and the uniqueness of each creature, children can see a vivid picture of God’s creative power on display.”
Jahn went on to describe more about how she has seen and been impacted by this facet of God’s nature.
“I think God pulls our focus to specific attributes of His during specific times of our lives. I didn’t know it at the time, but now, as the book is coming to its publication date, I cannot get enough of God’s power, His might, and His majesty. Also, I’ve always (since committing my life to Jesus) thought it was awesome that there is truly so much variety to life…whether you’re a bird enthusiast, a biologist, a foodie. God provides joy in every way!”
With all the awe Jennifer holds for God’s greatness, it’s no surprise that some of the key themes throughout the book are God’s power and creativity.
“God is Creator. God is creative,” she said. “He created us. He created two genders. He created us at a very specific time and order, apart from the animals, and (this part is in the Parent Connection) we are the greatest part of His creation because we carry His image.”
Jahn hopes that when people read her book, “they come to know more about who God is and what He has done, so that their foundation - understanding who they are in Christ and who they belong to - becomes even stronger.”
Author Life
Managing Writing Time with Homeschooling/Mothering: “I’m a night owl and we always have siesta time in our home so both those times are my ‘office hours.’ We also homeschool in the morning. That’s when we’re at our best. I do what I can to protect our homeschool schedule. The rest of the day is for any lessons, hanging out, friends, taking care of ducks and chickens…a little bit of this and a little bit of that.’
Most Enjoyable Part of Writing: “The whole writing process. I have always enjoyed writing. From the beginning to the end. Though I do put off revision, editing, even proofreading for as long as I can, once I get into it I actually enjoy that part too.”
Lessons from Rejections: “I actually posted them [rejections] on my website for others to see that the no’s were not the end of the world. It was two years of submitting when my agent said ‘yes’ and about a year later when B&H Kids offered their contract. The biggest thing I learned was it’s all God’s timing, none of the work is wasted, and as long as I keep following Him and doing the work He planned for me, then none of the no’s or even the yeses are the be-all and end-all.”
Most Significant part of Publication Journey: “The biggest part of the journey was that ‘once upon a time’ (my pre-Jesus days) I just wanted to be published. The dream was to see my book in the supermarket…yes, in the 80’s they actually had a book aisle! Now, it’s to turn young eyes to Jesus, to know who God is, to know they belong to Him, to seek His truth, and to want to create for His glory.”
Biggest Impact of being a Published Author: “The biggest impact has been the hands that have held the book. I really didn’t think anyone outside my 8-15 people would read it. It’s beyond anything I imagined.”
Funnest Activity as a Published Author: “Getting to order a stuffie that looks like the main animal of my book.”
Toughest part of Writing Children’s Books: “I think the toughest is just my own thoughts. Sometimes I think the market is saturated. That the story has already been told over and over again. That I have nothing new to say.”
What’s Next in terms of Writing: “I am currently working on edits for my second book (that is so fun too!) with the publisher. It is going to be a beautiful picture book. I’m very excited just to look at it. I am also working on a first draft of a 30-day devotional.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jenny Fulton is a wife, mother, author, blogger, and freelance writer. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she grew up hearing stories from my dad about the supernatural workings on the Navajo Reservation. As a child, she collected angels and loved anything related to fairy tales. Her days are now mostly spent raising my three young daughters and writing as much as time and opportunity allows. Follow her at her blog, Heart Soul Mind.
For more great interviews, visit our Author Interview Archives.