GODFREY — Author Kathryn “Kathy” Tassinari Claywell’s new book, “A B C…God” is a spiritual children’s tale that shows God’s love while teaching the alphabet.
“This came about because it was a bucket list of things to do when I retired,” Claywell said about writing a faith-based children’s book. “Now my grandchildren will have a book from their grandmother. I was compelled to do it.
“I have no grandkids yet,” she noted. “I’ve been working on the book a couple years. Last year, at Easter, I announced to my family that Covenant Books accepted my manuscript.”
The South Carolina-based publishing company is a Christian-owned and operated book publisher and a perfect fit for Claywell, who embraces her Catholic faith. “A B C…God” published during Holy Week.
“A week before the celebration of Easter, so there’s a blessing,” she said. “I’m very blessed and full of gratitude that people have received my book so well. It’s been fun and a good experience for me.”
“A B C…God,” is a faith-based children’s tale that displays who God is and how he loves his followers. With illustrations by Claywell’s niece, Emilie Harrison, and simple language, this book will be welcomed by young Christian families.
“She’s a wonderful artist and she made this book come to life for me,” Claywell, of Godfrey, said. “I sent her a couple lines to see how she’d illustrate. It was exactly what I wanted and my vision.”
Harrison is from Alton and went to St. Mary’s and lives in Ozark, Missouri, now.
Claywell’s new book pairs each vibrantly depicted letter of the alphabet with vivid and playful illustrations for a family friendly read of God’s love through the alphabet.
Claywell is a retired teacher and “proud wife and mother.
“A couple letters I struggled with to make it understandable for children. I’m a teacher,” she said. “It was also a real learning process along the way. I knew nothing about writing a book or publishing book.”
It took a couple years for Claywell to become fully immersed in the writing process, but when the pandemic hit she had plenty of time, despite universal troubles caused by the pandemic, she recalled.
“I could sit down and finish the book,” she said.
Once Covenant accepted the manuscript, it took a year for it to become a book.
“Children see the wonders that God has blessed us with while learning the letters of the alphabet,” Claywell said about the book’s lesson.
“‘A B C…God’ walks us through the blessings and beauty created by God,” she said. “A is for ‘He is always by our side,’ allowing us to experience the journey of both learning the alphabet and seeing how God is an intricate part of our daily life.”
Claywell attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Alton, and has been retired as a public school teacher for more than 25 years. She retired from the Alton school district. She began her teaching career at Jerseyville Community High School.
She still works part time at Lewis and Clark Community College, in Godfrey. She also is Marquette Catholic High School’s assistant boys tennis coach and works alongside her husband, Jim Claywell, the head coach. Her husband also owns and operates Claywell Asset Management on Godfrey Road in Godfrey.
The Hayner Public Library District purchased two copies of “A B C…God,” and Claywell’s new book is available for reading from both Alton Hayner Library branch locations: 326 Belle St., where Claywell’s sister Juliana Harrison, and her niece’s mother, works, and at 132 Alton Square, at Alton Square Mall.
“There will be a signing, but the date is to be announced,” Claywell noted.
“A B C…God” is available at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
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