The write stuff

The Rev. Robin Currie has a simple approach to finding what will get published in children's Christian literature.

"If I couldn't find the right thing, then someone needed to write it," she said. "I've been writing for a very long time. It's been 20 years since my first book was published -- and I've written what I couldn't find."

Currie, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn for 12 years, will speak about writing and publishing children's books at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St.

The title of her talk is "The Strange Tale of Fluffy the Kitten: Writing for Children." The public is invited, registration is requested by calling the library.

Now the author of 20 children's books, Currie gained her knowledge of children's literature during her library science profession. She holds a master's degree in that field from the University of Iowa.

Before attending seminary, Currie was a children's librarian, most recently in Palatine. She began writing resource books for librarians about creative programming on a theme. Her first book, "Mudlicious," talked about how to develop storytime sessions based on food themes.

Once she finished seminary, Currie started her ministry career as a children's pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn.

Currie saw the need for small cardboard baby Bibles, aimed at toddlers who also like to touch and feel. Today, there are 10 different Baby Bible Story Books. All were a challenge simply because they're so short.

"This reduces a Bible story to four lines of text, with activities to go with it," she said. "It forces you to consider every word very precisely."

This ability to edit, shorten and concentrate on the meaning of each word influences her sermon writing, Currie said.

"I try to stay within eight to 10 minutes, and it forces me to look at the sermons with the same eye, looking for points I've repeated and ways to shorten the text."

Other children's books she published include "The Story of Easter" and "The Story of Christmas," both part of an Eye Witness Animal series published by Standard Publishing.

Both are written to entertain and engage youngsters by telling these important Gospel stories through the eyes of seven different animals.

Currie never seems to run low on storytelling ideas. She said that a window at the church with Christian symbols inspires a series of children's sermons every summer.

"Each Sunday I tell a story behind those symbols," she said. "I haven't run out of symbols and stories yet."

Next on her agenda, Currie hopes to try writing and publishing children's literature for the secular commercial market.

"I've always gotten my inspiration from the library and real world," she added.

For details about the series "Inside Writing and Publishing" and Currie's presentation on writing for children, call the library at (630) 469-0879.

If you go

What:The Rev. Robin Currie, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and author of 20 children's books will speak about "The Strange Tale of Fluffy the Kitten: Writing for Children."

When:7 p.m. Feb. 7 Where:Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., Glen Ellyn

Details:(630) 469-0879