** Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award - Gold Medal Winner, Religion/Spirituality/Instruction ** Independent Press Award - Distinguished Favorite, Christian "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Have you ever wondered where God is? How can this be happening? What did I do to deserve this? Have your circumstances led you to question your faith? Does God care? Does he even exist? Thoughts flooded my head from our traumatic failed adoption. “Lord, where were you this time? Is this how our seven-year-long journey to have children ends? Are we being punished? Are we cursed? This adoption seemed so right. I thought I was ready. I really thought I could help these kids. After all, I started life as an Orphan.� My core beliefs had been shaken. To make sense of what just happened, I went back and examined my own life. So many times, the odds were heavily stacked against me, life, and death situations. Yet, somehow, someway, God always showed up. From orphan to carpenter and beyond, the pages of this book are my life stories. But the book is not about me or my story. It’s about God’s. As you read these true stories of my life like parables, may they be a testament that God is present and active in your life, that he loves you and has a plan to give you hope and a future.

The true story of Phyllis Webstad and her orange shirt that started the "Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters" movement. When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she went to Residential School for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the true story of Orange Shirt Day (an important day of remembrance for First Nations and non-First Nations peoples). Medicine Wheel Publishing publishes culturally authentic Indigenous books that invite all children, youth and adults to engage and participate in culture with authenticity and respect. In all of Medicine Wheel Publishing books, every word and image has the explicit approval of the Indigenous Storytellers and Elders connected to the story. Through an award-winning relationship-based publishing program, Medicine Wheel Publishing offers a process that is culturally sound and authentic.

This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the true story of Orange Shirt Day (an important day of remembrance for First Nations and non First Nations peoples). When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she went to the residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned.

Little Sam's Secret Place is an important book for children because it illustrates in an imaginative, fun, and entertaining way, that children of all races and backgrounds can also have a meaningful relationship with God. Includes 21 stunning full-page illustrations.

Sabrina may seem like an extraordinary young girl; unlike many children her age. She's someone you want to be like, even though it doesn't always feel safe to be different. Children want to feel normalcy in their life - whatever this means to them - so they seldom welcome change or relate to anything that seems different from how they view their world. Sabrina is on a journey. Without argument she accepts friends, loved ones, and strangers for the way they are; not the way she wants them to be. Sabrina has a powerful ally that leads the way along a less worn path she bravely travels; a path and process of discovery that reveals the bent and rainbow color of who she truly is. Reasoning change is Sabrina's dearest friend. She has become aware of time, not clock time but a sense of urgency filled with the desire to make sense of her world. With each ticking moment that passes Sabrina enters the silent space that holds no chatter and confusion to block a path she began long before she was born. "Sabrina Listens through the Fog" is a beautifully illustrated, heartwarming children's story meant to be read with an adult. Discovery Activity pages at the end of the book encourage authentic, sincere dialogue that establishes self-worth and concern for one another, while honing a child's ability to reason the challenges and joys of a lifetime. As children recognize and communicate deep-seated feelings and emotions they begin to look beyond appearances, embrace people and situations around them with acceptance and compassion, and be an example of inspiration and light - open and available to "listen through the fog" of their life; dissipating fear and allowing children to transition change smoothly as the imaginary bridge between illusion and reality is crossed.

Little Sam's Secret Place is an important book for children because it illustrates in an imaginative, fun, and entertaining way, that children of all races and backgrounds can also have a meaningful relationship with God. Includes 21 stunning full-page illustrations.