I always love introducing you to authors I know and love, and today I’m especially excited to interview my dear friend and coworker, Courtney Doctor, about her new children’s book, Andy and His Big Question. Inspired by the kinds of questions children ask about God, Courtney wrote this sweet and humorous story with her grandson, Bo, to help young readers understand Jesus’ words to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. I’m so grateful for the beautiful reminder of God’s great love in this story, and I hope you enjoy learning more about Courtney, Bo, and the story behind Andy and His Big Question in today’s Sneak Peek.
Andy and His Big Question releases on September 22, 2026, and is available for pre-order now!
1. Can you give us an update on what this season of life has been like for you and your family? 
For me (Courtney), life has been full of joy, people, and good work. Four of our adult children and two of our grandchildren lived with us for the first seven months of the year (along with their two extra dogs and a cat). It has been so fun to have the house filled with an abundance of laughter, chit-chat, and energy. It was also great to have my daughter and daughter-in-law (two amazing cooks) in my kitchen during that time—we have eaten well!
After two years of planning for TGCW26, it was such a blessing to gather with women from all over the world to learn and worship together. A highlight of my year, for sure!
In addition to the conference, we are planning new cohorts for the fall and spring, and I’ve started working on several new writing projects, so work has been full. But I love it.
On the home front, we’ve added a really fun new four-legged friend named Sam. He has four hooves, a mane, and a tail and we have all been enjoying him so much.
Bo had an amazing summer full of firsts! He was able to go to camp for the first time, got up on water skis for the first time, and became a published author for the first time. He also played his fair share of baseball, had time with friends, and read a ton of books.
How did the idea of writing this book with Bo come about?
When B&H Kids asked me to consider what message I would most like my grandchildren to know, I quickly realized that, more than anything, I want them to know how much God loves them—and to let that love stir their affections for him. I want them to know that we are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, but that kind of love is only possible when we have received God’s love for us. In other words, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
As I was thinking about it, I knew Bo would make a fantastic co-author. He is such a creative kid and was already writing stories and creating comic books. So I asked him, and he quickly agreed.
Our first meeting was in a coffee shop where we outlined the story, named the main character, and came up with examples and scenarios for Andy. During one of our many Zoom calls, I read the story out loud to him, and he stopped me and said, “CC, I think we should say ‘the climbing tree’ and not just ‘the tree.’ It’s more specific.” He was absolutely right, and that ended up being the origin of one of the grandmother’s explanations in the book.
People have asked if Bo really contributed to the writing, and he absolutely did. It was so fun to see his gifts and creativity at every turn.
Bo, what was it like to write a book with your grandmother?
“It was a really fun experience because I got to spend extra time with CC.”
What was your favorite part of writing together?
“Just spending time with her and laughing with her.”
Andy’s questions are both funny and surprisingly profound. Why do you think kids are so good at asking the kinds of questions that adults sometimes overlook?
I think kids are simply willing to ask the questions we all have. They don’t pretend to know more than they do, and the questions usually come from a place of deep sincerity and true curiosity.
Kids are always trying to connect the dots in what they’re learning, and I think that is where Andy’s question comes from. He hears what is true from God’s Word, thinks about his own life, and then wonders about what happens when his life doesn’t measure up to what God’s Word says.
We would all benefit from being more like Andy! Instead of glossing over a foundational verse like Luke 10:27, we should stop and ask how well we’re doing with obeying it. And how God responds when we don’t.
Grandparents play a sweet role in this story. What aspects of grandparenting did you try to highlight?
I love being a grandmother! I love that I can have fun with my grandchildren and, at the same time, play a role in their discipleship. We tried to highlight both of these things in the book. The grandmother, “MeMe,” gets to do fun things with Andy like bake cookies and ride horses, but she also has the opportunity to teach Andy about God and his amazing love.
What has writing this book with your grandson taught you?
Like I said above, I have learned how to be a better writer! I love that Bo was able to sharpen my writing skills. I have also been reminded time and time again that children are having profound thoughts and are asking deep questions. I have loved slowing down enough to listen and learn from Bo.
But there were also plenty of silly moments. The majority of our calls were conducted with at least one of us (I’ll let you guess who) presenting as a shark, a cow, a dinosaur, or an alien. So my skill in using the animogi and memoji characters available on FaceTime definitely grew.
Many children’s books emphasize what kids should do. This story reminds children of what God has already done for them. Why is that distinction so important?
This is really the most important aspect of the book! The message of Andy and His Big Question is what John wrote in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Our love for God isn’t what makes him love us. Just the opposite. His love for us is what enables and compels us to love him back. Our love is a response to his.
The order is essential. It’s so easy to think that we have to earn God’s love. Not only is this impossible, but it leads to a life of striving and stress. Yes, God wants us to love him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, but that love is a result of the love that has already been given abundantly to us.
For a sneak peek, what are some of your favorite parts of the book?
Bo’s favorite illustration is on page nine. It’s the one where the goofy dog is trying to help Andy open the jar of peanut butter! He loves it because Bo’s real dog, Pippin, is a food hound and would absolutely be right next to him if he were opening a jar of peanut butter.
He also loves the illustration on page 22 where the dog has his “arm” around Andy. It makes Bo giggle every time he sees it!
A favorite quote is, “No matter how strong, smart, or kind you happen to be, God is always the one holding you and holding me.”
In addition to being “CC” to five incredible grandchildren, Courtney Doctor (MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary) is also the Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition, co-host of The Deep Dish podcast, a Bible teacher, and author of several books and Bible studies, including From Garden to Glory and In View of God’s Mercies.
Bo Doctor is in elementary school and loves building Legos, drawing, Star Wars, and playing with his friends. He lives in Omaha, NE, with his younger twin brothers, his parents, and their goofy dog, Pippin. Bo hopes Andy and His Big Question will help others understand the never-ending love of God.
