Books published by publisher Xulon Press

One little cow had big dreams of witnessing something grand but never left her little town of Bethlehem. One busy day in her small town, God sent a gift that would change the world forever; and she was there to experience it! Kathryn Sikkema is a wife and mom to three beautiful, busy small children and lives near Chicago. She teaches high school special education and loves watching books come to life as she reads every day to her children.

After completing her first voyage aboard the Golden Cross, Christy is confident that sailing for the King is her destiny. She and the Pirate Girls join forces with the Royal Explorers to rescue ten children recently orphaned by a civil war in their land. The mission is fraught with so much danger, only divine intervention can save the children. Christy is terrified by the power she witnesses and begins to doubt not only her calling, but the King she serves. How can he be good and allow so many horrible things to happen? Will this mission signal the end of Christy's time as a Pirate Girl?

"Through my weakness, God shows forth His grace." God is the Creator of all people, and He needs each one of us to serve Him. This is the uplifting message shared by Author Elaine Bender in I Am Exceptional. This book uplifts special needs children as children of God who are, as 1 Peter 2:9-10 indicates, healthy, chosen, prosperous, and loved. The author shares a beautiful scripture-based message that highlights the truth that in God's eyes, whatever our special needs might be, either seen or unseen, we are all His creation and made in His image with special gifts and abilities. We are all needed by God to show others how to live for Him. "I may not walk just the same, but the narrow path is always my aim." Whether we can't see, have limited mobility, a hearing impediment, or any other disability, all God's children see and hear the Shepherd, and He works through them every day. I Am Exceptional is a reminder for everyone that what counts is on the inside; what truly matters is in our hearts, and it is our weaknesses that display God's strength. We are all special and needed to fulfill God's plan. We are all needed to serve our Father God, just as Jesus did. "And praise our God for this life that we live, and His amazing son, Jesus, for serving as He did." Author Elaine Bender is a Christian wife and mother of two sons, one with special needs. Elaine leads a moms of special needs group at her church, and she volunteers with the church's special needs ministry. God placed I Am Exceptional on the author's heart, and she prays this book will lead others to see God's image in all His children and believe, as she does, that special needs children are limitless.

Jesus loves inner children! In a story that is part testimony, part children's book, Tracy Ruiz teaches about the broken pieces of our hearts and how Jesus can heal them. Sometimes the things that we go through in life are hard. One day Heart decides to go for a bike ride, and her day goes from bad to worse! She tries to fix things, but she needs help. Who will help her when she needs it the most? Who will come to the rescue? Tracy Ruiz is a home-grown Californian who loves tropical climates, singing praise songs, and being a gym rat. She is also a firefighter's wife and mom of two precious children. Her heart has been set on fire for Jesus, and she loves going on sweet adventures with Him. Tracy is an inner healing and deliverance prayer minister, and loves seeing the beautiful, creative ways in which the Lord shares His deep love with His children. She loves watching the Lord heal the broken hearted and set the captives free.

This is a story of a baby bald eagle who finds himself lost from his family during a thunderstorm. As he grows up, he learns the meaning of friendship, and never gives up hope in finding his family again one day. The Adventures of Troy is first in the Early Learners series. Recommended for children ages 2-9, the book includes a glossary of "The 20 Words" at the back of the book that offers simple definitions of words highlighted throughout the story to help increase a young child's vocabulary. Parents will enjoy reading this book to their toddlers. Elementary school children will love reading this heart-warming tale. Hope Kelley, Executive Producer, Director and Writer for Hope Kelley Productions and South Texas Movies, produces upscale television programming, documentaries and feature films. Ms. Kelley has hosted, directed and produced the television program, "SA Style" in San Antonio, Texas. She was awarded the prestigious honor of directing a documentary about Project Hope and Founder, Dr. William Walsh, in Washington D.C. As a screenwriter, several projects are currently in different stages of writing, including "Harmony, Texas" and "Time in Alaska." She is also a talented journalist, anchor, actor, and spokeswoman who has appeared in television programs and commercials. Ms. Kelley was awarded the University Interscholastic League Scholarship in Music to the University of Texas at Austin. As a classical clarinetist, she has played in symphonic bands and orchestras. Ms. Kelley graduated from the University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor's Degree in Television Broadcast Journalism. She has also studied film production, directing and editing at Stanford University. She is fully bilingual in Spanish and has produced commercials for the Hispanic worldwide market. Ms. Kelley began her broadcasting career as an Intern/Journalist for ABC in Austin, and at the Dallas ABC News Bureau at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. As a published Author, her last book, "The G Sin", is available in all bookstores. One of her hobbies includes writing and illustrating children's books.

Donna L. Hicks is the wife of Pastor Paul Hicks, Murdale Baptist Church, Carbondale, IL. They have been at that church for 49 years. They have two sons, Brad, in San Diego, California and Chad in Carterville, Illinois. Donna absolutely adores her five grandchildren; four boys and 1 girl. She taught elementary grades in the Herrin, Illinois school district #4 for 30 years. She retired in 2003.

Denali Visits the National Parks is a unique book aimed at introducing children, grades 1-4, to 11 of the national parks of the USA. It features a cartoon figure dog who encounters all kinds of adventures on his journey. It is written with the intent to have interaction between the reader and the child. It is unique having both photos of the national parks and illustrations. Carla and Dan Weiss reside in Stow, Ohio. Carla is a registered nurse who works part time at Akron Children's Hospital. Dan is a retired guidance counselor after 36 years in education. They enjoy visiting the national parks and memorials in the USA, reading, hiking, working with the homeless and spending time with their three grown children. They dog-sit Denali for their son, Chris, from time to time. Anita Souders is an elementary school art teacher. She and her husband, Ronnie, reside in North Canton, Ohio. Anita enjoys painting, reading, watching hockey and playing with their dog, Charlie. He is actually featured in the book. He is the fluffy, white dog looking out the window in the train illustration. We wanted to include him in the book!

There’s Something Fishy in Coronado follows the training of a team of Grunions, a small, silver fish native to the shores of Coronado, California, as they prepare for the famed Grunion Run. The Run is a yearly event in which thousands of fish voluntarily wiggle onto shore in order to lay their eggs on land, drawing spectators from around the world. However, the event is incredibly strenuous, and just getting there will be no easy feat, so with the help of their coach, Gilbert Grunion, and his friend Tom, a turtle, the team aims to be the best of the best, and make this Grunion Run the best one yet!

A difficult time for a family in the country brings about lessons in suffering and God's love in author Elizabeth K. Howell's new children's book, The Christmas Bird. The Christmas Bird follows the adventures of a little bird when his tree home is hauled from the woods and placed inside a cozy cabin to become the family's Christmas tree. The family had recently experienced adversity when their youngest child, Maggie, fell in the woods and lost her mobility. Many times past, Maggie had visited the forest and sang beautiful Christmas carols to her doll and a hidden audience of woodland animals. With no more visits from Maggie, the Christmas bird tries hard to fill the void by whistling the tunes he'd heard her sing. The family's choice to have the Christmas bird's tree as their Christmas tree allows the stowaway to witness decorating the Christmas tree and listen to Papa read the Nativity Story. Most of all, the family's love and care for Maggie is a sight to behold. When Santa visits later that night, the bird learns that Santa's gifts are good, but God's gifts are better! Throughout the story, we learn that God loves all and has great plans for each of us, even tiny birds.

In this first installment of the "Why We Celebrate" series, "Why We Celebrate Christmas Day" renders a simple but clear emphasis on the ONE who is the "real greatest gift giver" of all and the reason why we celebrate this special holiday. So come along with us as we join Mom while she answers the question for her children about WHY and more importantly WHO we should remember when celebrating Christmas Day!