Interview with Children's Book Author Davin Whitehurst

Davin Whitehurst lives in the beautiful high desert of Southern Arizona with his wife and son. He is releasing his first book "I have Faith" in May of 2016 but has so many more that are in the making. The motivation behind the books are deeply rooted from in his own past. He is a living testimony of Proverbs 22:6. Growing up in Southwest Kansas and in a Christian household, he was trained up in the way he should go. By the time he became a teenager, Davin turned away from God and left church. Fast forward into his late twenties and God brought him back with a powerful calling. He and his family have been faithfully serving at Seed of Abraham Christian Center International for over seven years now. Proof that when we teach our children the way they should go. When they get older, they know where to turn and will not depart from God. Davin wants each book written to be a resource that parents have to help train their children in the way they should go. He writes stories in a simple way that will be fun and practical for every child. He wants children to get excited about faith and the things of God.

His latest release is the children’s book, I Have Faith.

For More Information

• Visit Davin Whitehurst’s website.
• Connect with Davin on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book:

Are you ready to get your child excited about faith? “I Have Faith” puts your child right in the footsteps of Danny as he begins to learn about faith. Danny and his older brother have been wanting a dog, but both know their parents don’t think they are ready for a dog. When Danny’s mom begins

teaching him what the bible says about faith, he puts his faith into action. After praying and releasing his faith for a dog, doubt and even his best friend keep telling him that he will never get a dog. Over time Danny never loses his faith in the promises of God and finds that God is faithful and that faith works. Come along on this journey that is a real life event that took place in the author’s life as a child.

This book has great illustrations that support a wonderful story about finding faith in God. As you are teaching your child about principals in the bible; this book will help you teach faith. What a wonderful experience it is when we can see our children begin to develop their faith in God, and grow from a tiny mustard seed to a firmly planted tree. The back of the book has a parent/child discussion which will help children gain understanding in faith and some scriptures that Danny’s mom used to get him excited about faith.

Thanks for this interview, Davin.  I’ve always wanted to write children’s books.  When did you determine that writing for children was for you?

I got the ideas and concepts about 7 years ago. I never pursued it though. It was a calling that God had placed on my life and it was not until about a year ago that I finally stopped running from that calling and accepted it. The very first book I got the idea for is actually the second book that will be published later this year.

What was the inspiration behind your children’s book, I Have Faith?

Faith is such a simple word but something that we can make very complicated and wrap religion or tradition all around it. I believe that most of us were raised with the wrong concept of what faith or that complicated version of it. That’s why I wanted to write a book that teaches faith in a childlike form that allows both parents and children to realize that faith is a simple act of trusting God. When we are children we can take simple concepts and work them without previous experience to cause doubt. My hope is that through this book that simple faith turns into a strong faith full of the promises of God.

How do you get into the mind of a child to create a fun reading experience?  Are you around kids?  Are you a kid at heart?

My son is now sixteen so I no longer have little children in my house. I love to look at a child and see what they are seeing through their eyes. They are experiencing life for the first time and have no experience too really form their own opinions yet. I watch them and it always puts a smile on my face because they just absorb everything. A parent may pick up my book and see a simple book and form one opinion while a child picks it up and sees and endless possibility through God or some other opinion. A parent gets tired of reading the book about the fire truck, while the child wants to read it over and over again. So I like to keep my heart in a childlike form not a childish form. God has shown me to receive the kingdom like a child and it allows me to write a story that draws the children in.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I think one of the books that always stuck with me is “Just Me and My Mom” by Mercer Mayer. The A Little Critter series all in all were some of my favorite books. The Berenstain Bears also had an impact on my imagination also. The Picnic book is one I can still picture in my mind 30 years later. So many come to mind though; I love the imagination and worlds you can enter through children’s books.

What kind of advice would you give writers who would like to write children’s books?

Write what is in your heart, the calling of God will make your books unique and have a message that children need. Imagination and unlimited possibilities thrive in a child’s mind. Create worlds that children never knew existed, so no matter where they’re at a journey will take place.

What are your goals for the future?  More children’s books?

“I Have Faith” is just the beginning. I am working on another book that is from the first chapter of Genesis. Plus I am working on a YA novel that is a work in progress. I have just put my roots down in the writing realm but am firmly planted. I did not go the traditional publishing route and decided to start my own publishing company. Childlike Faith Publishing will establish the brand behind the stories, so stay on the lookout for more books, comics, apps, ebooks, authors and more.