It’s not always easy to forgive
Love from Sienna: It’s not always easy to forgive
About Love from Sienna by Joy Vee
You know those God-lessons that have taken us years to learn? Imagine if we could help our children learn those when they are young?
Love From Sienna looks at the difficult topic of forgiveness. How do you forgive those who have hurt you? Deliberately lied to you? What if they are people you should be able to trust?
Sienna and her two brothers are growing up with their mum in London. When one of them is suddenly taken ill, Sienna overhears her mother confess that she has been in touch with their father – a person who has been absent from their lives for a number of years. Sienna feels betrayed and has many questions. Through scripture, and the discipline of journaling, Sienna begins the process of forgiving both of her parents, with the help of Godly mentors.
The story lays out clear principles for children to apply to their own lives, and questions at the back to help parents and children discuss.
Who is Love from Sienna written for?
This series is perfect for middle grade readers 8-12 years old, and is great for families to read together, with conversation-provoking questions at the back. It’s designed for helping kids grow in faith in the real world.
Here’s what some reviewers have said about it:
Joy has a talent for storytelling and communicating God’s love. Although a children’s book, the story speaks to people of all ages. Angela T on Amazon
Full of fun characters, lovely metaphors and well-explained truths. The twists and turns had me laughing and crying along with the characters. The challenges Sienna faces are realistic and so helpful in illustrating what it looks like to grow in relationship with Jesus, especially getting to know him for yourself and grappling with forgiveness. A really brilliant resource for children in learning to have their own conversations with God. Sam DH on Amazon
There are so many books out there. Why do I need this one?
Love From Sienna will teach your kids:
- That they are fully forgiven by God;
- A simple formula to remember to help them forgive;
- That forgiveness is not easy, and doesn’t necessarily make the problems go away.
It does this through story, which is a powerful method of communicating that kids will remember as they face challenges.
I’d love this. Can I read a Sample first?
Of course! Here you go:
Sienna looked up and down the road again. There was no sign of anyone. The last of the parents and children had disappeared from After-School Club five minutes before. She looked back at her brother, Jack. He was pretending to be a tight-rope walker, trying to balance on a painted line on the ground. At eleven, she was old enough to walk home alone, but she knew school wouldn’t let her take her little brother too.
‘Sienna, Jack! Sorry I’m late. You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had.’
Jack looked up with a smile.
‘Hi, Alison. That’s OK.’
‘I thought you’d forgotten us.’ Sienna frowned slightly as Alison stopped to catch her breath.
‘Alison’d never forget us.’ Jack smiled. ‘She might forget the time, but she wouldn’t actually forget us – well, not me, anyway.’
‘We need to hurry to get Theo,’ Sienna said. ‘His childminder doesn’t like it when we’re late.’ Sienna hoped she wouldn’t just put the four-year-old out on the street. Sienna and Jack could stay late for after-school club, but Theo was still in nursery and went to a childminder in the afternoon.
‘Can you run?’ asked Alison, as they all filed out of the school playground.
‘Try to keep up!’ Jack shot off. Sienna ran after him.
A minute later, she realised Alison was getting left behind. Alison was their Sunday school teacher, they called it Kids’ Church. But since meeting her three years ago, she had become like family. Sienna waited for her to catch up, linked arms with her, and the two of them walked together.
‘So, tell me again, why is your mum working late today and all day tomorrow?’
‘She said it was a stock-check. Everything in the shop must be taken off the shelves, counted and put back on again. They do it every year.’
‘That’s a big job!’
‘Yes. In other years, Mum didn’t stay late, because she had to look after us, but she’s got a new boss now. He said it was her choice to have kids, and she should still do the work. He’s so mean.’
‘Wow! That’s not fair.’
‘That’s not the worst thing.’ Sienna was glad to have someone to talk to about it. ‘He got rid of all the Saturday staff and is making everyone else do the work. Now Mum has to go to work two Saturdays a month. He’s such an idiot.’
Sienna felt a little niggle inside, feeling bad about the strong words she’d said. But she pushed down the niggly feeling and kept walking.
‘Sienna, you can’t say that.’ Alison’s voice was firm, but kind.
‘Why shouldn’t I? He’s keeping my mum from me, and now she’s too tired to do anything fun on Sundays. She goes to church then sleeps on the sofa all afternoon.’
‘I understand you’re unhappy,’ Alison said, ‘but you have to be careful with your words and thoughts. It sounds like you are becoming bitter. Your mum may need to look for other work or write a letter to head office. But you calling the boss names isn’t helping anyone.’
Sienna chewed on her bottom lip, wanting to change the subject.
‘Maybe we can do something nice for your mum when we get home. Let’s cook her favourite meal and make sure all your school uniforms are washed,’ Alison said, waving at Jack as he waited outside the childminder’s.
‘Maybe we could strip the beds and clean the bathroom and wash the kitchen floor?’ Sienna suggested.
Alison’s eyes grew larger as she listened to everything on Sienna’s list.
‘I’m only looking after you one weekend. Do we have time?’
‘Well, it’s what Mum does every weekend, but if you aren’t up for it…’
‘No, no, we can do all of that! And when we’ve done the jobs, I’ll take you all to the pond to feed the ducks.’
‘Yay, duck pond!’ Theo said, stepping out of the house as they walked up. The childminder glared at Alison, then looked at her watch.
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Alison. ‘I’m not used to all this.’ The door slammed firmly in her face.
‘I really must try harder,’ she muttered as she took Theo’s hand. Looking at Jack and Sienna, Alison smiled. ‘Let’s pop to the shop and buy something nice for your mum’s dinner. What’s her favourite?’
Sample taken from Love from Sienna © Joy Vee, 2021
Where Can I Purchase the Book?
You can buy paperbacks & ebooks directly from our shop page here https://broadplacepublishing.co.uk/product/love-from-sienna/
There is also a Love from Sienna journal available at this link https://broadplacepublishing.co.uk/product/love-from-sienna-journal/
Or you can buy both for just £12! A fantastic gift for the 8-12s in your life.
If you’d love this book to help your kids grow in faith, but you cannot afford it, we do run a bursary program. Please contact us to request a book.