by When Christmas Feels Like Home by Gretchen Griffith and Illustrated by Carolina Farias
November 20, 2013 in Reviews, Teaching by Anna
At the end of September I had the pleasure of meeting Gretchen Griffith, a children’s book author from North Carolina. We were both attending the SCBWI Carolinas Conference. It was my first conference and Gretchen was on the panel of one of the first sessions I attended. She was sharing her experience with writing and the publication of When Christmas Feels Like Home.
This post contains affiliate links, I was given a free book to create this post, but as always all opinions are my own.
This is an exciting week for Gretchen because her book releases on NOOK and Kindle!
The author behind When Christmas Feels Like Home
Gretchen Griffith is a retired teacher, where she spent years in various grade levels, a self-contained classroom, and in remedial reading. Her favorite grade to teach was fourth grade and she was lucky to spend the last half of her career with fourth graders. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and volunteers for projects at her church and with the AFS foreign exchange program.
Recently, I asked her a few more questions.
LLAM: What inspired you to write this story?
Gretchen Griffith: I wanted to write something that assures children that in time, the unknown can become comfortable, like home. I was an exchange student in Lima, Peru back when I was in high school and I understand what moving into a new culture is like. Now I work with students who are going abroad and during the predeparture orientation we talk a lot about the time table for adjusting to a new life. That’s why I have the main character, Eduardo, looking for signs of when he will feel like he is home.
LLAM: How long did it take from idea to final product, would you estimate, for this to get published?
Gretchen Griffith: Six years and that doesn’t even count the time it brewed in my brain even before I knew it would be a written story.
LLAM: Have you published any other books?
Gretchen Griffith: My other two books are nonfiction adult market books. Lessons Learned: The Story of Pilot Mountain School came out in 2012, published by Bright Mountain Books, a regional company out of Fairview, NC. I self published the other one in 2013, Called to the Mountain: The Story of Jean L. Frese, the story of my mother’s cousin in the Salvation Army.
LLAM: Do you have any more books you are currently working on?
Gretchen Griffith: I have two major projects ahead of me. One adult level and one middle grade. I’m in the researching phase on both of them. Problem is, they don’t overlap at all and I am doing double the digging. But it sure is fun.
LLAM: Have you been featured in various places for your writing or for this book specifically?
You can buy When Christmas Feels Like Home right here from Barnes and Noble for $16.99.
Eduardo doesn’t like the idea of moving away from his village and he longs for the feeling only home can bring. His parents continue to assure him that the time will come to display his Nativity, but their endless riddles aren’t helping. Will Eduardo ever feel at home with new friends that don’t always understand him? Will he be able to display the Nativity by Christmas?
This book is an excellent addition to any English Language Learning environment and would relate well with any child having difficulty in a new situation at any time of the year.
Have you ever been in a situation where you just wanted to be home?
It’s always interesting to hear about an authors reasons for writing a particular book. Gretchen Griffith’s book, When Christmas Feels Like Home, is so much more than a Christmas book. Any child who has been moved from the familiar to a new home will relate to this story. It should stimulate some interesting discussions.
Several of my grandchildren will find it under their Christmas tree this year.
Sandra, you are correct! It is a beautiful story and many children could relate to the main character.
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When I was away from my kids for a night, all I wanted was to be home with them. I hated them not being around.
It is hard to be away sometimes. I think as mothers, we also like the feeling of being needed and helping our children. Thanks for stopping by, good luck, and hope to see you here again!
I have struggled with binge eating disorder for most of my life, and I’ve been in residential treatment several times. One of those times I missed my best friend’s wedding. That was definitely an occasion when I wanted nothing more than to be home. I was fortunate enough to not miss a major holiday while I was in treatment, but many of my fellow residents did and it was very tough for them. Sometimes we have to tell ourselves that it’s worth sacrificing one special day in exchange for the potential of being alive for many more special days with the ones we love in the future.
So true! I know several people that have been deployed for so many holidays and missed major milestones in life in order to serve. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles and I sure hope that you are striving to overcome them every day so you don’t miss any more special days. Thanks for coming by and good luck. We’ll “see” you around!
Yes, I never liked being away from home when I was a kid and unfortunately my mother was ill when I was a child and in the hospital alot when; so I was often away from home.
I am sorry to hear that. I feel bad for you and bad for your mother. I sure hope your family had a strong support system that helped you through all fo that. Good luck on the giveaway, thanks for coming by, and come back often!
I was in the hospital several times and all I wanted to do is be at home.
Yes, there is nothing worse than being sick away from home. And it’s awfully hard to sleep in hospitals.
Most days! Especially this time of year, when you have to hit the stores, fight the crowds, and you just wish you could drop everything & go home. This year, we are moving just before Christmas, so I just wish ‘home’ was a settled issue, lol!
Tamra, I think many people would agree that it’s an easier time to be home! Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you around again!
the one time i went away to camp when i was in middle school i was ready to go home after the first day
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I guess I was the opposite. I loved camp when I was a kid and looked forward to it every summer!
Anytime I have to spend the night away from home and away from my children, I wish I could be home.
I miss my kid when I’m away, but I also like the short break, especially knowing they are safe and asleep most of the time anyway!