Blog Tour Week #9 THAT'S A WRAP

I really enjoyed the blog tour for Mouse's Christmas Gift! What a delight to see how each blogger interacted with the book and created such interesting posts. I am very appreciative!

12 Days of Christmas Books Contest CCA: Enter to win!

Today I made my first post with christianchildrensauthors.com.  Starting in 2019, I will be blogging on their site one time every other month. I am excited to participate with them in this way!

For 2018, I am participating in their 12 Days of Christmas Books currently going on this month.

 I am DAY 9

That means I am holding a contest this week on their site and giving away a copy of Mouse's Christmas Gift. 

My post on Christian Children's Authors website


Feel free to click over to that site and enter. To enter, either leave a comment on that blog. If you share the post from their site either on Twitter or on Facebook you will receive an extra entry for a total of up to "3" chances to win.


Thanks for your interest in Mouse's Christmas Gift!  Good luck in the contest!

Congrats to EMILY!  A book will be sent very shortly!  Thanks to all who entered on the CCA website post!

Blog Tour #8 Everyone Loves Giveaways! Hosted by Rebecca Angus, literary agent

Blog Tour Week 8! Literary agent Rebecca Angus is hosting me this week on her blog and offering three fantastic give-aways!  Click the link to check out all the details!

Rebecca's Blog Post

Gingerbread Houses + Mouse's Christmas Gift = Special Morning

I had a great morning today with Harbour Shores Church! A big shout out to Lora Schultze and her crew for all their efforts. It was an honor to share Mouse's Christmas Gift with everyone!

#wewillmakeadifference

#wewillbealight

#wewillcelebratejesus

Blog Tour # 7 Book Review by Laurie Winter and a GIVE-AWAY

Check out this week's blog tour give-away. Get the inside scoop about Mouse's Christmas Gift on Laurie Winter's blog and leave a comment on her blog post to enter the give-away. It's as easy as that! 

P.S. You might want to check out some of her sizzling romance novels while you are on her page. She has written some beautiful books!

Laurie Winter's post about Mouse's Christmas Gift

Thanks, Laurie! It is an honor to be on your blog!

Book Review -- MY CHRISTMAS HOPE-- by Penelope Powell

Will two broken souls recognize that the best gift of Christmas is HOPE?

My Christmas Hope, written by Penelope Powell is a cozy holiday novella that will make you want to make a second cup of hot cocoa and to keep reading. When Michael Hennessy and his son Jimmy move next door to Hope Langford for a fresh start from their painful past, a Florida romance between Michael and Hope begins to spark. As Michael’s son Jimmy deals with relational wounds from the past, Hope demonstrates patience and extends friendship which leads to a softly emerging love and a happy ending. I enjoyed picturing Christmas in sunny Florida and I thought the author did an excellent job developing realistic characters. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you Penny, for an ARC of the book. I really enjoyed it. It is an honor to help promote your book!

Don't you love the cover? The next time I'm at the beach, I am totally making a "sand" snowman.

Link to book on Amazon

Link to Penny's website: Penelope's website

More about the author:

Penny writes:

A southern girl at heart, I loves green rolling hills, wind chimes that tinkle on warm summer nights, and my momma's fried pies. I've been luckier than most. I've enjoyed a life surrounded by family, friends, and a faith that has taught me to discern my worth in a Righteous Savior.

Having traveled and lived in many places, I've been fortunate enough to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, which has given me a broader perspective that occasionally splashes onto the pages of my novels. 

​

Like the things we experience, I believe good fiction can inspire and change someone’s perspective. It’s my prayer that my words will show others a Savior who loves them.

Mouse in a Matchbox - Craft Idea for Kids

This week I am heading to Springfield, Missouri to celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and extended family. On Saturday, I am doing another Story Time Event with Barnes & Noble. 

This is the craft that I am bringing to share with the children. 

I can't believe I haven't shared this craft on the blog yet. 

Isn't it cute?

And so easy to make!

The craft is one of four ideas in the FREE DOWNLOADABLE teaching guide that Zonderkidz helped me format. 

I purchased the matchboxes (and emptied the matches) at Meijer. ($1 for 10 boxes).

 I cut pieces of felt for the blanket, 

and I cut make-up remover cotton pads into two pieces for the mattress.

 The paper doll is from the download. It comes in three sizes, but I chose the smallest size, made a screenshot, and created a document so that I can print a bunch all at once on white cardstock. 

Finally, assemble it!

I tell each child that Mouse loves to hear their stories. 

I hope many children end up telling Mouse their stories in the days and months to come.

FREE TEACHER/ACTIVITY GUIDE for MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

This is content that I am reposting because you will not want to miss out!

Have you heard about the FREE, DOWNLOADABLE Teacher / Activity Guide that Zonderkidz helped me create for Mouse's Christmas Gift? 

It is perfect for parents, teachers, Children's Ministry leaders, Awana leaders, or anyone who is interested in teaching spiritual truth to children. 

It includes teaching lessons, application worksheets, and crafts. 

Here is the link to the download.

FREE TEACHER/ACTIVITY GUIDE

Merry Christmas!

Blog Tour #6 Five Fun Facts about MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT & a GIVE-AWAY

Over the last several years I have had the privilege of becoming friends with Glenys Nellist. She is such a wonderful person and a talented author. This week she is hosting me on her blog and we are sharing "5 Fun Facts" about Mouse's Christmas Gift. Plus, we will be giving away a copy of my book. Check it out!

Here is the link:

Glenys Nellist's blog

Tea Party with Mouse

You are never too old for a tea party!  I had a blast at this tea party I threw for my family over Fall Break. (Yes, Christmas is on my mind early this year because of MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT) 

Thanks to my friend Tonia, I found this fabulous "Christmas Mice" peanut butter cookie recipe from Taste of Home on Pinterest. 

Pinterest Link from Taste of Home

Aren't they cute? 

I added the cheese cubes (see above) so Mouse would have something to nibble. My kids pointed out that Mouse would not appreciate eating a "mouse." 

Merry Christmas!

P.S. Do you have a favorite holiday cookie or treat? Feel free to share it in the comment section!

Blog Tour #5 Penelope Powell Takes Mouse to a Gala!

Check out these darling Christmas dishes--mouse-themed, of course! It seems that currently, everything in my life is mouse-themed. But I'm loving it! A big thanks to Penelope Powell for hosting the blog tour this week. Check out her thoughts at this link:

Penelope's blog

P.S She interviewed me earlier this year (Christmas in July post) so if you are interested, click over to read my answers to her questions.

B & N Bookfair with Indiana SCBWI

Honored to be one of the authors signing at this event! Hope to see you there!

I am in the morning signing session from 11:30am - 1:00pm.

Blog Tour #4 - Read. Discuss. Do! with Rebecca J. Gomez

A big thanks to Rebecca J. Gomez for reading Mouse's Christmas Gift and creating a Read, Discuss, Do! activity to go along with the story. Click below to access her blog and learn more about the idea.

Read. Discuss. Do! with Rebecca J. Gomez on her blog

If you haven't seen her Read, Discuss, Do! activities, you will want to look into more of them. She has fabulous ideas for how to spend quality time with your kids connecting over children's books.

Story Time and Crafts at Barnes & Noble with opportunity to donate to the Indiana Chapter of The Pajama Program

Countdown to Story Time at Barnes and Noble in Noblesville. I'll be there all day, so come out and say hi! I'm very excited about helping The Pajama Program, which benefits foster children across this country by providing them new pajamas and new books. It would make my heart so happy to know that children in this situation were receiving Mouse's Christmas Gift. You can purchase a book that day to give to the cause, or you can bring a pair of new pajamas to donate. All donations will go to the Indiana Chapter of The Pajama Program to benefit children in our state. (I live in Indiana)

Check out the organization The Pajama Program at the link below:
Link to The Pajama Program website 

Blog Tour #3 Laura Sassi and I chat about writing and my new picture book, MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

A big thanks to Laura Sassi for her friendship and willingness to host me on her blog. She had several questions for me about the inspiration for Mouse's Christmas Gift and more. Check out my answers on her blog at this link:

Laura Sassi website

Blog Tour #2 Denette Fretz--Little Acts of Service Can Grow

The creativity of others is truly inspiring and this week's blog tour host, Denette Fretz, has come up with some amazing content.

Please visit her blog to learn about a wonderful object lesson "Little Acts of Service Can Grow."

She has all kinds of goodies--

• an object lesson using either acorns or sponge animals that grow when you add water 

• downloadable service coupons for kids to make and give to someone they would like to serve

• and a craft idea making acorn bells. 

Check it out using the link listed here:



Denette Fretz blog post

Teaching Children Spiritual Truth Utilizing Mouse's Christmas Gift FREE DOWNLOAD

Zonderkidz helped me produce this wonderful teaching guide.

It is available FREE here and also in the column to the right on my blog. They will be offering it on their website soon. 

Here is the link to the guide:

Teaching Children Spiritual Truth Utilizing Mouse's Christmas Gift

The packet is intended for ministry to children ages Pre-K to 3rd grade. It is adaptable for Sunday School lessons, Children's Church lessons, Christian School lessons, Home School lessons, family devotions, or one-on-one time with a child. 

It includes both a lesson to tell the Christmas story from the Bible and a lesson to utilize the book Mouse's Christmas Gift. The lessons can be combined into on longer session or may be used in separate sessions. 

The lesson utilizing Mouse's Christmas Gift has three distinct pathways of application. Select the one that best fits your needs.

For older children, there are application worksheets.

The packet also includes four craft ideas. 

If you utilize centers, each application could become its own center for three rotations of approximately 10-15 minutes each. Add one of the crafts, and you have material for four separate centers.

Blog Tour #1 Mouse travels to Australia! Click link to my interview with Kellie Byrnes!

So thrilled to be invited to join Kellie Byrnes on her blog for the first stop of the blog tour. It is amazing to me that through the Internet we can become friends with people all over the world. Kellie lives in Australia, so this week's give-away is specifically for people living in Australia. I hope the Aussie's love Mouse's Christmas Gift, too!

Here is the link to Kellie's blog post: Kellie Byrne's Blog Post with Mindy Baker

Thanks so much for hosting me, Kellie!

MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT BLOG TOUR

So excited to kick-off this epic blog tour for Mouse's Christmas Gift, made possible by all of these wonderful author friends that I have gotten to know along my journey to publication.  I would like to give them a big thank you and also a shout out for all of their wonderful books. If you have not read their books, give them a try!

10-9-18 Week 1 Host: Kellie Byrnes  Guest post by me, "How to Make Widow Bartholomew's Strawberry Jam"

10-15-18 Week 2 Host: Denette Fretz Denette has created an object lesson for use in a ministry setting.

10-22-18 Week 3 Host: Laura Sassi Laura interviewed me. Check out my answers to her questions.

10-29-18 Week 4 Host: Rebecca Gomez Rebecca has a Read, Discuss, Do activity. 

11-5-18 Week 5 Host: Penelope Powell Surprise Post

11-12-18 Week 6 Host: Glenys Nellist Guest post by me!,"5 Fun Facts About Mouse's Christmas Gift"

11-19-18 Week 7 Host: Rebecca Waddell Surprise Post

11-26-18 Week 8 Host: Laurie Winter Book Review

12-3-18 Week 9 Host: Rebecca Angus Christmas Basket Give-away

There will be a book give-away at each stop.

Hope you will join us each week on the blog tour!

Special Gift

Look at the adorable mouse ornament some new friends at school gave me today in honor of Mouse's Christmas Gift launch day. I absolutely love it. Their thoughtfulness means the world to me.  Thank you so much!

Guest Post: Half Marathon or Picture Book Publication

Check out my guest post on the Fireworks and Foliage website.  This is a group of authors who all have picture book debuts in 2018 summer and fall.  I compare my experience running a half marathon to publishing a picture book.  Check it out by clicking the GUEST POST link!
Guest Post:

Launch Party -- Sunday October 7--Hope to see you there! Look at what I'm giving away!

If you attend my LAUNCH PARTY, you can enter to win one of three give-aways.  

#1 It's a mini tree, mini tree-topper and mini ornaments for your child to decorate for Christmas. Also included is a mouse ornament that will fit into a matchbox bed. Mouse loves to listen to your child re-tell the story of Jesus' birth!

#2 It's a nativity set with 19 kid-friendly pieces. You can add this to your family's Christmas traditions.

#3 It's an autographed copy of Mouse's Christmas Gift! 

There will also be free drip coffee and kids' crafts.  

I will be selling a limited number of copies of Mouses' Christmas Gift.  

(I can accept cash or checks only.)

Hope to see you there!

October 7

2-4p.m.

The Well Coffeehouse in Downtown Fishers

Getting Ready For Book Events

In my book, Mouse's Christmas Gift, the villagers decorate a tree near the church with hair ribbons and quilt squares.

My dear friend Tonia made a tree that we can decorate together at book events. It turned out so cute!  I can't wait to use it!

Hope you can join me at an event!  Check out all of my events by clicking on the link on the home page of this blog. 

Coming up:

October 7th LAUNCH PARTY at The Well Coffeehouse in Fishers, IN

And on October 11, Story Time at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, MI.

Hope to see you there!

Join me at a Launch Party for MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

I am really excited for this event!  If you are in the area, I would love for you to join me in celebrating this special moment. Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 7th, at The Well Coffeehouse in Fishers.

My advance copy arrived!

Happy is the word that describes my feelings in this picture!

After YEARS of waiting for this dream to come true, it did!

This is a sneak peek inside the book. 

Dow Phumiruk did a magical job of making the story come alive!

Thanks for stopping in and sharing this moment with me!

Christmas in July -- Follow the link to my first interview

My friend and romantic fiction novelist Penelope Powell interviewed me for her blog.

This month's theme is  CHRISTMAS IN JULY...so Mouse's Christmas Gift made an appearance.

You can read my post by clicking on this link:

Link to interview on Penelope's Blog


Penny now has two novels published with Anaiah Press and a Christmas novella on the way, to be released November 16, 2018.

The titles are:

Glen Oak Series -- A Powerful Voice
Glen Oak Series-- A Furrow So Deep
Christmas Novella -- My Christmas Hope



Penny's website

I'm honored she ask me to visit her website!  Thanks, Penny!

5 minute Friday - VACATION

I traveled a few miles this June.  School let out for the summer, and I left for Spain and Italy with a group of students and co-teachers.  We had a blast!  Here are a few of my favorite pics:

Parque Guëll in Barcelona

Las tres profesoras en Toledo

Roma

Roma

Island of Capri

Next, I hit the road to celebrate my parents' golden 50th anniversary!  Kudos to them for staying together for the long haul.  I am proud to be their daughter.  We celebrated at my brother's new home/farm in Springfield, MO.

Next stop, Ohio!  Another anniversary--my husband's parents celebrated a 60 year milestone which Google tells me is the "diamond" anniversary.  Amazing. We spent the weekend swimming, barbecuing, and eating homemade ice cream. A lot of it.

Finally, my family and I went to Michigan--to Macinac, Island and the Upper Peninsula. This was our first time in the area (except for me when I was six years old so it still felt new).  We enjoyed ourselves!  I can't even begin to tell you how relaxing the bike ride around the island was. I loved it!!
I highly recommend it for your next get-away.

Our bike ride on Macinac Island

Upper Peninsula

I have more photos of my experiences on Instagram at @mindybakerbooks.  It is such a treat to travel and see new sights and places with the ones I love.  I treasure each moment! Where have you been lately and what have you been up to?  I would love to hear about it!