Laura Young
news@greenepublishing.com
Pastor Eddie L. Yon, of Restored Glory Christian Center in Monticello, has announced the publication of his second book for children. He summarizes the story, entitled “The Maker’s Dream and the Ol’ River’s Scheme,” this way:
“These kids were created to love, laugh and play, but there’s something that made them change their way.
Could it have been the plan that was finally delivered, by that mean ol', evil ol', crooked Ol' River?”
Yon explains further that the Glory Kids in the book are given instructions by the Maker to have fun and love one another, but something goes wrong. What could have happened to undo the Maker’s plans?
The idea for this book grew out of Yon's sermon series on how God's kingdom is inclusive of everyone, regardless of color or race.
“What really sparked the moment,” says Yon, “was the children’s Sunday message where I had five pieces of play dough, and they were all the same price but were all different colors. I shared with the kids that each piece of play dough, though different in color, cost the same, came from the same place, and were all made out of the 'same stuff.' So, how can we say one piece of play dough was more valuable or superior than the other? And that's what they should see in themselves and others — all have the same value.”
After getting inspiration for the message, Yon says the next step in his book-writing process involved defining the major players in the story. Then he just had to write, write and rewrite. He hired a graphic artist named Thakshi Dissanayake to illustrate the story, and this led to even more revisions.
“Once the illustrations came into play, I stayed true to the message,” recalls Yon, “but the illustrations caused me to make some adjustments which actually enhanced the story.”
The book, released on June 1, is available through Amazon for $12.99 (paperback) or $9.99 (Kindle). The bookseller describes the story as “a poetic, Bible-based journey that will captivate children, teens and adults alike” and which gives “a glimpse of heaven’s original plan for mankind and ends with a practical life lesson.”
Yon says that soon the book will also be available through other distributors, and he is also planning a local book-signing event.
About two years ago, Yon published his first book, “Baby Ethan's Getting Better Every Day,” which chronicled the challenge of his youngest child’s diagnosis of Cardio Myopathy at birth.
“He was given three days to live, and we were told if he did not get a heart transplant before then he would not make it,” says Yon. “The goal of this book was to offer a framework of faith for those who have a medically fragile child or loved one.”
With his latest book, “The Maker’s Dream and the Ol’ River’s Scheme,” Yon has launched the inaugural story in a Glory Kids series through which he aims to empower youth and adults alike.