Interview with Patti Ogden

Keoni’s Big Question
Patti B. Ogden
Capstone Productions (2008)
ISBN 9780981678368
Reviewed by Madeline McElroy (age 7.75) for Reader Views (2/09)

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to interview Patti B. Ogden, who is here to talk about her new book “Keoni’s Big Question.”

As an enthusiastic Sunday school teacher, there was only one thing Patti Ogden did not enjoy about the teaching experience; too often, her lessons would end with the children not grasping the concepts that they were intended to teach. Her prayers were answered when she began to break down her lessons into simple terms—at the children's level—and suddenly she saw the "lights go on!" Soon the kids were asking questions and wanting to know more about the Lord Jesus.

With a background in journalism and a sincere burden to help kids seek their own spiritual growth, she is now the author of three Christian children's books. She lives in Illinois and is a devoted wife to her husband Jeff, of 35 years, mother of two and grandmother to five darlings that fill her life with joy.

Tyler:  Welcome, Patti. I’m glad you could join me today. You certainly have taken on a big topic. To begin, why don’t you tell us just what is the Big Question that Keoni has?

Patti:  Keoni is a curious boy who really wants to know if a person can see God.

Tyler:  Why did you decide to use a fishing trip as the vehicle for answering Keoni’s question about God?

Patti:  The fishing trip connected the characters with nature, which helped them recognize that God is the great creator of the beauty around us and the first step in “seeing” Him. This part was in the original story told by William Branham.

Tyler:  Tell us more about Keoni’s friend, the Old Fisherman. How do he and Keoni become friends and what is special about their relationship?

Patti:  Old Fisherman is very dear to Keoni’s family; he is a neighbor whom they befriended after his wife passed on. Old Fisherman is a mentor and grandfather figure to Keoni. He taught him many things about fishing and life in general.

Tyler:  Will you tell us about the fishing trip? What dangerous event occurs during it?

Patti:  Keoni and Old Fisherman suddenly find themselves in a bad thunderstorm while they are in the boat on the river. Keoni has always been scared of storms so to be out in the middle of one was terrifying to him. Old Fisherman tries to shelter and protect him when they finally reach the shore, but at one point he must leave him to go save the boat from sinking. Keoni realizes he must turn to God for help.

Tyler:  How does Keoni turn to God? By praying?

Patti:  Yes, he recalls some wisdom his mother shared with him on how to turn to God in times of trouble, so he began to pray.

Tyler:  What do you most hope children will learn and understand from reading “Keoni’s Big Question”?

Patti:  It is my hope that children will learn that they can have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus on their own level. Their experiences with God don’t need to be through their parents or another adult. I want them to understand that God hears and answers their prayers. He can be touched, reached and seen in the beauty that surrounds us.

Tyler:  Patti, what age group is “Keoni’s Big Question” most suited for?

Patti:  I feel it’s never too early to read to little ones when it instills moral guidance and Biblical principles—but for reading purposes, this book is best suited for ages 6-10.

Tyler:  I mentioned in your biography that you are a grandmother. Do you test your books out on your grandchildren or other kids before you publish them?

Patti:  I certainly do! The reactions I received were even more inspiration to continue.

Tyler:  Patti, as a Sunday school teacher, did your decision to write this book come from questions your students had?

Patti:  Yes, it was heartbreaking for me to see them struggle with the most basic of Bible concepts…how the overcoming power of Jesus Christ can dwell in a human heart.

Tyler:  What about God do you think is most difficult for children to understand?

Patti:  Unfortunately, our society pushes too much fantasy, entertainment, and video media on children so that it is hard for them to distinguish reality, especially in the unseen realm. I think because of this, it is very difficult for children to understand how God can be a real live friend and force in their lives.

Tyler:  Is the book geared toward a specific religious audience, for example Christianity or a specific denomination of Christianity?

Patti:  The word Christian means “Christ-like.” This book is for anyone who believes on the Lord Jesus, His character and that the fruits of the spirit are meant for us to manifest.

Tyler:  Patti, what for you was the most difficult part about writing “Keoni’s Big Question”?

Patti:  The hardest part of writing this book was to try to make its complex subject and multi-faceted points easy to read and to understand.

Tyler:  Patti, have you received any feedback from parents or children regarding the book?

Patti:  I have had a lot of feedback from parents that shared the book during their family reading time. Many of them told me the whole family was very touched by the story and some to tears after reading Keoni’s Big Question, especially the ending. One family told us that the book opened an opportunity with their children to answer questions about God. Another little boy had just asked his dad the week before—why people can’t see God—and when his Dad finished the book, he said he finally understood!

Tyler:  Patti, I understand you have some more books soon to be published. Will you tell us a little about them?

Patti:  “Shamgar and the Ox Goad” is scheduled next. I am very excited about it! It is a very imaginative tale of the little known story of Shamgar, who was only mentioned twice in the Bible, yet greatly used of God. Taken from one verse in the book of Judges, this is a story of one man and how he delivered Israel from the hand of the Philistines, killing 600 single-handedly with an ox goad. This is the first volume in our Untold Heroes of the Bible series.

“Momma, Am I Pretty?” is about a young girl who deals with her first experience of religious persecution. Illustrator and designer Robert Sauber is busy working on this project and we hope to have this one out by late summer.

Tyler:  Patti, I understand part of the proceeds from book sales go to charitable causes. Will you explain more to us about that extra benefit of helping others by purchasing the book?

Patti:  Capstone Productions helps pay the postage for sending books and Bibles overseas to Christians that can’t afford them or have no way of obtaining them. It is heartbreaking, yet rewarding, to read the letters of appreciation from India, Africa and other parts of the world after they receive the first Bible they have ever owned. Postage costs have risen tremendously, which places even more importance on our contributions.

Tyler:  Thank you, Patti, for allowing me to interview you today. Before we go, will you tell us about your website and what additional information our readers may find there about “Keoni’s Big Question”?

Patti:  Our website is www.capstone-productions.com. You can learn more about Keoni, view our upcoming books that are in progress, enter the Little Illustrator contest, Story of the Month (free e-books), read updates and reviews, and there is also a Christian woman’s blog.

Tyler:  Thank you, Patti, for sharing information about your book and your faith with me today. I wish you much luck with “Keoni’s Big Question” and all your future books.