KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DALLAS -- For seven years, Dan Foote pondered and tweaked an idea for a children's book based on Psalm 148.
When the Allen, Texas-based cartoonist and author finally submitted the story to his publisher last summer, they responded by asking him to create two more -- in six months.
"I spent all fall and winter last year working on them," he said. "The first one, I had lots of time, years, for the idea to come around and gestate."
In February, Cook Communications Ministries published Foote's trilogy "God Smiled," "I Know God" and "God Is There." Foote said his goal was to create faith-affirming books for children without simply retelling biblical stories.
"I'm hopeful that these books bring a sense of joy and a sense of liveliness that God gives us," he said.
The books are part of Cook's Faith Kidz line of books, toys and games.
"They have to have some element of discipleship to them -- how do they teach children about Christ," Cook spokeswoman Michele Tennesen said.
Teaching tales
All Faith Kidz products include a teaching aspect, Tennesen said, and Foote's stories fit well into the line. At the back of each book, the publisher suggests activities for adults and children to reinforce the message.
While Cook targets the books for 4- to 7-year-olds, Foote said he hopes older children and even adults connect with them. His inspiration is Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," a favorite from his youth.
"That book is timeless. It means so many different things," he said. "It speaks to children and adults."
Foote, former editorial cartoonist for the Dallas Times Herald, started working as a freelance illustrator after the newspaper closed in 1991. He regularly contributes to Focus on the Family magazine.
During the slow periods inherent in freelance work, Foote said he cultivates ideas that he previously let sit idle in his sketchbook -- such as inspirations for his first children's book, based on the story of Jesus' birth.
"I take those downtimes as gifts from God," he said. "When the Herald folded, it was a big shock. Rather than panicking during those downtimes, I picked projects I wanted to work on. And it's been a real blessing."
Foote's other books
Cook published Foote's first book, "The Cobbler, The Princess and The Newborn King," in 1999 and a second, "A Knight in the Forest," in 2002. Foote has illustrated other books, including "The Step-by-Step Bible."
His newest books are rhyming poems that share a simple message about faith. "God Smiled," based on Psalm 148, shows creatures large and small praising God. "God Is There" acknowledges God's presence in both good times and bad. And "I Know God" talks about the joy of a relationship with God.
"Like most kids, children's books were so influential to me growing up," Foote said. "I'm just at a point in my life where I'd like to shed a little light on the path of faith. All I really want to do is create a fun environment, through my books, for kids to explore their growing faiths."