I always like to know a little something about an author before I sit down to open up his or her book. Today, I’m excited to interview my friend Sandra McCracken about her new children’s book, The Maker of the Mountain. Sandra and her husband, Tim, were inspired to write this book after having conversations with their young son about what God is like. The result is a story full of beautiful nature images from scripture that will help young children feel loved by their strong, compassionate God and comforted by knowing him better.
The Maker of the Mountain is available now, and you can order a copy here!
1. Can you give us a quick update on you and your family? What has this season of life been like for you?
We’ve been living in England for several months this spring, as Tim and I are serving as artists-in-residence at Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford. We’re staying in a converted barn that backs up to a beautiful field and woods. We’ve been watching the blooms bloom all season and seeing the sunsets every night behind our kitchen window. It’s been a unique time for our family as we’ve brought projects and school with us to a new and unfamiliar place. We were here on the official release day for this book and it was a special thing to enjoy and hear the responses from across the miles and on social media and from readers and their families.
2. What inspired you to write The Maker of the Mountain?
This book began with an everyday, storytelling moment that I had with my youngest child. He was about three and a half, and we were sitting on a playground outside waiting for an appointment. We sat beneath a tree with a pile of rocks and talked about things. We talked about what God is like and he asked me some profound questions like, “Mommy, is God really like a rock?” It was a two-way sermon that was as much for me as it was for him, thinking about nature and theology as we picked up things like rocks and pointed to the sunshine and fruitful vines, helping him to understand some important spiritual themes.
I’m so glad that God has spoken to us in ways we can understand. I’m so glad that Jesus told stories that have been recorded for us in the gospel accounts. Tim and I had dreamed about writing a kids project like this someday, and as we talked, the idea for this story of a little bear began to take shape.
3. What do you hope kids and parents will take away from this book?
I think it’s amazing that God not only made us and cares for us, and also that he wants us to know him and learn about him, to find out what he’s like. This good news is not just a message for children, but like all the great truths, it’s for us as adults, too. When we grow in our understanding of who God is, we grow younger in wisdom and wonder.
4. In the book, you make understanding the complexity of God’s character accessible for children. What advice would you give parents as they continue talking about these big ideas with their kids?
I’m so glad to hear that feedback, and what a great question. I wonder if and how we could do more of this? I think we’d get more creative with our handling of theology and scripture if we practiced this sort of imaginative conversation together in community. I suspect this good work is happening most weeks on Sunday mornings in preschool Sunday school classes around the world. I’d guess that some of the most profound spiritual questions are being raised by young children, especially as they hear the stories of the Bible for the first time. There’s so much mystery and imagery and poetry in the scriptures. And I hope we don’t forget to be amazed by this when we’re grown, or when we have phones and other responsibilities to distract us from these “waiting moments” like my son and I shared when we might notice some of the things that matter most.
5. What’s the most challenging or fun part of writing for children?
I loved working with our team on this project, and I’ve learned so much. Children’s book writing is similar to songwriting, but challenging in how much we had to just keep simplifying and simplifying. It takes a lot of work to get down to the shimmering kernel of an idea that you want to communicate. I usually start with too many thoughts and too many words. This has been a great stretch for me.
Also, I’ve loved developing the story with Tim as each of us spent time referencing the picture books and stories that we loved when we were kids, thinking of why’s and what’s that work so well in classics like Winnie the Pooh, A Squash and a Squeeze, and Where the Wild Things Are. Another favorite part in the writing process was just how often you have to read and say the words out loud until it starts to just roll out effortlessly when you recite the story over and again.
But the best part was working with a gifted illustrator like Fia and seeing the story come to life visually. That part was so closely connected to the creativity and imagination of the words—but even more dynamic because Fia heard the words and created these timeless scenes that were a perfect match.
6. Can you share a favorite quote or image from the book? 
I love the night sky page, the page where the fox and the bear sit perched on the hillside on the blanket, but my favorite is the spread with the little bear in the boat, crossing a stormy scene and making his way safely onto the other shore. I have an old song called “God’s Highway” with a verse that reminds me of just this sort of scene. And while I’m pretty sure the illustrator doesn’t know that song, still she painted it just like I would have imagined it.
7. Here are some reviews from readers:
“I was searching for biblically based adventure books for our 4.5-year-old and stumbled upon this book. We love it! Our son loves following the map in the front and I love all the Biblical truths he’s learning from little bear. The illustrations are equally stunning!”
“A new favorite! This is a beautifully written and beautifully illustrated book that tells truths about God in a way that your little one can understand. It’s written in such a way that it edifies both me and my wife as well.”
“This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. Through the adventures of Little Brown Bear, we see the character and promises of God introduced in a way that will resonate with children. I can’t wait to give this as a baby shower gift and I hope to read it to my own grandchildren one day!”
8. What is something surprising that people might not know about you?
Tim was an outdoor guide and we both love camping and having adventures like this one. Weaving together theology, faith and nature has been a real joy. Maybe next time we need to introduce some musical themes to the little bear?
Sandra McCracken is a prolific songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer. She is a dynamic performer whose captivating, soulful sound invites audiences to sing along and moves listeners at the deepest levels. Many of her songs, like “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” and “Thy Mercy My God,” have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally. She has also written songs recorded by All Sons & Daughters, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Audrey Assad, A Rocha Compilation, Bifrost Arts, Caedmon’s Call, and others. Sandra is a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain for Roots (children’s music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine, and more.
