Update: 12-4-11

It's been a wonderful and productive year again. One of the books I thought might be out before the end of the year, "Ava's Secret Tea Party" will come out in 2012 along with another really fun book called "Miss Emma Ant." Jack Foster, the illustrator of "Poodle and Doodle" and "Where is Salami?" is working on it now. "Ava's Secret Tea Party" has the most delightful illustrations by Bella Sinclair. I'm sure any little girl will be thrilled to have a copy. At least - that's my hope!

Bella drew a sweet coloring page for Christmas you can find here:

http://asecretteaparty.blogspot.com/2011/11/coloring-page-ava-and-santa.html

And Jack drew a coloring page for Christmas featuring Poodle and Doodle:

http://asecretteaparty.blogspot.com/2011/11/coloring-page-ava-and-santa.html

As always, December brings many fun activities, parties, and catching up with old friends and making new ones. I wish you a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Until next time!

Update: 4-4-11

Hmmm...I seem to like dates with same numbers in them.

Lots of good things happening with the books. At the end of this update, I'll include information about all the books. Might be helpful to have all the info in one place.

I have some fun events coming in the next few weeks - a book signing at Barnes & Noble, a Literacy Night at a preschool, a Book Fair at a library, and a Ladies Tea where I'm speaking. To keep up with me, check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/donnajshepherd

Do you like coloring pages, puzzles, and printables? I set up a tab on the Topsy Turvy Land blog with a lot of activity sheets. Just click the tab at the top of the page: http://www.topsyturvyland.com

Here's all the info about my books:


NEW! "Where Is Salami?" Illustrated by Jack Foster: Beth's little brother has so many pets, he's lost track of a few! In "Where Is Salami?"children will delight in finding the animals in the vibrant illustrations and discovering hidden items on every page. Humorous rhymes entertain and inform with fun facts about the creatures. Of course, the animals all show up in the end - or do they?


Bradybug: In a book that's both fact-filled and fun, a ladybug compares the words used to describe male and female animals. Lyrical rhymes and Kit Grady's charming illustrations tell a delightful story of a spirited little bug who provides a unique perspective on why names can be deceiving. Suggested readers age- 4-8.



No More Gunk & OUCH! Sunburn: In No More Gunk!, short, playful rhymes and Kevin Scott Collier's humorous illustrations help children learn in a fun way the importance of proper dental hygiene. Tooth Tips encourage children to take care of their teeth. In Ouch! Sunburn!, snappy rhymes, along with the 15 colorful and fun illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier, help children see the need to protect their skin in the sun. Sun Safety Tips in the back of the book reinforce the book's theme.


Poodle and Doodle: Angel, a twelve-pound prissy poodle, is none too happy when Leah brings home Scruffy, a seventy-five pound clumsy Labradoodle. Why ever would Leah want another pet when she had the perfect dog already? Children will love the humorous rhymes. Keep a sharp lookout for hidden bones in the delightful illustrations by Jack Foster. Suggested readers age: 2-5.


Topsy Turvy Land: Come visit a place of peace and whimsy where green monkeys and singing snakes live. Children will delight in the lyrical rhymes and vibrant illustrations while searching for the hidden hearts. Full of fun from beginning to end.



Sully's Topsy Tale: The final picture book in the Topsy Tales trilogy features a jazz loving, bebopping, singing snake suffering with laryngitis. What's an independent snake that only sings solos to do? While waiting for his voice to return, Sully learns to appreciate the talents of others and the value of friendship. Suggested age for readers: 2-6.



Dotty's Topsy Tale (1935137557): Dotty's Topsy Tale features Dotty, a pink hippo that doesn't quite fit in. With help from her best friend, Chizzy, she finds she can be happy with herself no matter what her color. The book introduces a purple baby hippo, Violet, to gently explore the topic of discrimination. Suggested age for readers 2-5.



Chizzy's Topsy Tale: In Chizzy's Topsy Tale, whimsical rhymes speed Chizzy and Dotty into the jungle on a whirlwind search for tempting fruit. Kevin Scott Collier illustrates Chizzy's rollicking escapades with a deft and humorous touch. Solid values, like helping a friend in need and minding Momma, make Chizzy's Topsy Tale a wonderful read-aloud choice. Suggested age for readers: 2-6.

Update: 1-11-11

Well, wasn't that a fun date to type? :)

2010 was a very busy year. With three children's books coming out, I kept hopping all year in the area of marketing.

And now I'm starting this year off with more good news. Another book will be out soon called "Where Is Salami?" The illustrations are being done by Jack Foster who illustrated "Poodle and Doodle." They are such fun! Jack has a tremendous sense of humor which comes through in his drawings and especially in the characters' expressions.

I'm hoping to compile the most popular of my devotionals into a book soon. I've had many requests for something like that.

Linore and I will continue having our Greater Harvest Workshops. I just signed on yesterday to be the Poetry Editor for a children's ezine. That should be fun and challenging.

So, this year should be like last - busy! But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's Jack's blog if you'd like to check out some of his work. I know you'll love it: http://www.jacktoon.blogspot.com

For coloring pages, hidden picture puzzles, and more fun poetry.

Topsy Turvy Land: http://www.topsyturvyland.com

Oodles of Fun: http://www.poodleanddoodle.blogspot.com

And lastly, I finally updated my Devotionals by Donna blog! About time, huh? Here's the updated look:

http://www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com

Till next time! Bless you. - Donna

Update: 7-26-09

In the last update, I mentioned a new children's book Jack Foster has created the sweetest illustrations for Poodle and Doodle. This book will be available in print, as an eBook, and as an app for the iPhone.

Update: 3-21-09

Well, I have another birthday coming up soon, so I'm always reflective around this time of year - more so than when the year begins. What did I accomplish this past year? Did I bring glory to Jesus Christ the best way possible?

Mary and I started our workshops which I feel is in keeping with sowing seeds to help others. We have a date for our next one - June 27.

The two Cup of Comfort books I talked about last month were released this week. I received my copies - beautiful, hardbound books. I'm honored to be a part.

I signed a contract for another children's book this week! The publisher has paired me with a new illustrator whose work is awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing how he captures my vision. Always an exciting time.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

Until next time...Donna

Update: 2-20-09

Hi, whoever reads this! I'm not sure how many hits a blog like this gets, but just in case you are interested....*grin*

I'm gearing up now for another day for writers - the Greater Harvest Workshops. This is an expansion of my vision to help other writers like me who want to glorify God with their writing. I also started a writers group that meets in my church once a month called MAC Writers. We've had a lot of fun and moved forward in our goals since we started meeting.

Chizzy's Topsy Tale has been released. I posted a trailer on the book page. Kevin did such an amazing job - as usual. We have Dotty's Topsy Tale coming out soon, and he's currently working on yet another one. I have a different illustrator for another book, but more information on that to come soon!

I'm teaching a wonderful study called Living God's Will: Reading and Applying God's Signs for Your Life (Following God Character Builders). I'd recommend that to anyone for a Sunday School class, small groups, or even a midweek church service.

The sun is shining brightly outside, but I'm not fooled - it's cold..brrrr. I don't think I will have ever looked more forward to spring than this year. Seems like I'm shivering all the time. My son says it's old age, but it couldn't be that, or could it??

Til next time! - Donna

July, 2008

I taught at a conference in June. The director expected about 25 women, and I had more than 40 in my workshop. We had so much fun. I handed out evaluation forms and put all the good *grin* feedback on my website under "Endorsements for Donna."

The only negative? I had a broad range of topics to cover and just not enough time. (The general session went 15 minutes over, so I had to improvise.) From now on, I'll be more focused in my presentation.

I have a children's book releasing soon, and signed a contract for another one this week. I started a new blog for the children's stuff, Topsy Tales - http://www.topsytales.blogspot.com. I've signed on to do parenting columns for a new ezine, devotionals for Worthfinding.com (http://www.worthfinding.com/writers-authors/author-writer.aspx?theAID=1002), and continue to write for The Dabbling Mum. This month's article is titled "Is It a Sin to Swear?" Here's the link: http://www.thedabblingmum.com/parenting/devotionals/swearing.htm. I'd love to get some feedback on the subject. I also have a monthly column on NABBW (http://www.nabbw.com).

I would like to write more children's devotionals. As it is, my 'grownup' stuff is for the Christian market, and my children's writings are for the general market. I'd like to focus on the Christian market for children, too. So I'm really praying about what to write in that area. Advice and thoughts on this are welcome, as are voices of experience from those of you who speak at writing workshops and conferences. A friend and I are hosting a Writers' Day on Oct. 11th, and the interest level is great. We're very excited! I'll post more details soon.

Today I got a critique back on something I'm working on, and the comments were quite positive. I was so encouraged that I've been working on it a lot this afternoon.

Each day when I rise, I'm surprised at what God brings my way. I'm lovin' every minute!

Til next time! - Donna