Hello and welcome, Mom’s Choice readers! We have with us today someone who has won quite a few Mom’s Choice Awards, and she’s back again to tell us about her new book just in time for the holidays: Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley: The Christmas Story. Parents, grandparents, teachers and families can all enjoy this heartwarming book and its powerful message of hope and renewal. So let’s get right to the interview!

MCA: You’ve done interviews with us recently, but for those who aren’t familiar with them please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a mother, grandmother and lifelong educator. Family is very important to me. Sharing our family memories and traditions through children’s books is so rewarding. The main characters in the book are both vital parts of our family. The Model T, Tinzie Jo, was first restored in 1961 by my husband’s parents and grandparents. Then my husband and I had it restored again in 2021. Riding through in the car with the wind blowing in my face  and hearing the rumble of her engine and sound of her horn, sends my mind to a creative place. The other main character, Brindley, is our family dog. She is a Boston Terrier and she rides along with us everywhere. Brindley brings a smile to everyone she meets.

Sharing the adventures of Tinzie Jo and Brindley through children’s books with a positive message is a joy. Providing young readers with quality books and enhancing their literacy is a personal mission.

MCA: What was your path to becoming a writer like? What inspired you?

My track to becoming a writer was one of a curvy road. One could even say the roadway may have had potholes along the way. I have never been formally trained in how to write a children’s book. The books and characters are literally taken from a place deep within my heart, and built on our family love and traditions.

As a child, I always had stories come to my mind. The stories always came to me in verse and a poetic style. Many times while growing up, my teachers would try and steer me away from a rhyming poetic style. Even as an aspiring author, editors questioned the use of rhyme in my books. When I found an editor who understood stories, words and phrases come to me in verse, it was then the stories came together and a working relationship formed.

Writers must be true to who you are within. Keep chugging along. Do not abandon the stories due to the input of those around you. Listen to their suggestions and see how you can put your book on the roadway to a powerful and meaningful printed book in a child’s hand.

MCA: Would you tell us a bit about the Tinzie Jo and Brindley series?

I am thrilled to say each of our five books in the series, Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley, have all been awarded the Gold Seal from the Mom’s Choice Awards. Each book in the series has a positive message for the readers. Each also includes different types of literary elements for the enjoyment of children. A trademark of the series is the use of onomatopoeia within a poetic rhyme and rhythm. The characters retell of an eventful day they shared together. This style is called a story within a story and is used in every book in our series. The most recent books to win the MCS Gold Seal are Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley: The Christmas Story and Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley: Racing to Share Halloween Safety.

MCA: What was your inspiration for writing Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley: The Christmas Story?

As a Christian woman of faith, I wanted to share my deep love and appreciation for the gift given to all born on Christmas day. As a family growing up, every Christmas Eve my mom always read us the Christmas story from the Bible. At the age of 87, she is still a testimony of faith to all of our family. She makes sure everyone knows and is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. She has the great-grandchildren dress up in costumes and act out the Christmas story. The children love it. Last Christmas the children also used puppets to retell the story. Having the children act out Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley: The Christmas Story will be a day I will never forget. Sharing the true meaning of Christmas is a gift I can wrap in the form of a book, and share with readers everywhere for years to come.

MCA: And what a wonderful gift to share with others! What ages is the book geared toward? 

They rumbled through the cold night air. Christmas sights and sounds were everywhere.
“Oh, tell me, tell me, Tinzie Jo, please, the Christmas story you share with ease.”

The book can be shared with infants, toddlers and elementary students. It is a book intended to be shared as a family.

MCA: What are some of the key lessons found in the book?

Christmas is more than a time for gift-giving. It is a time to look in the rearview mirror and give praise for the Holy gift born that day.

MCA: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

My goal is for readers to learn to truly love reading. I want children to get their driver’s license by navigating every book in the series, and for them to anxiously look down the road waiting for the next book to be released. When children truly love a book and the characters, they will read it over and over. They will share it with their families and friends while accelerating their own literacy.

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

One review of the first book in the series seems to sum up my goal for all the books. The review follows:

“This book is for everyone that is young at heart! Connie Thornell brings this story to life. Wonderful story line and vivid reminders of doing the right thing, making positive choices, and loving one another. Teachers, this would be a GREAT resource for your students and classroom! Love finds you right where you are! This is a great book that will allow teachers, parents, grandparents, and families to have meaningful discussions about life lessons. I cannot wait to read future stories about the further adventures of Tinzie Jo and Brindley.” –David

MCA: What do you find most rewarding about the writing process—and what are some of the challenges you face?

The most rewarding part of the writing process is seeing an idea and a dream become a reality in printed form, which can help a child become literate. Consequently, the biggest challenge I face is fear of putting my books on the road for others to read. There is a fear that comes over me where I debate: should I leave the book in the ”parking garage” tucked away safely in my mind? However, the overwhelming support from families, children, educators and total strangers has given me the courage to crank up the engine and share the many tours of Tinzie Jo and Brindley.

MCA: How do your books contribute to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers?

Our books continue to promote family-friendly values. The characters are role models which children can relate to in their everyday life. Whether the books are focusing on the social and emotional needs of children or the importance of a faith based life, each is fueling childrens’ lives in a positive manner.

MCA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

My advice to aspiring authors would be to not give up. Seek the help of professional editors and be open to their suggestions. Do your research and find the lane that you want to cruise along. Write down every idea that comes to mind and keep them in the console. When the light turns green, you can pull out they idea or story and begin giving it a tune up so it is ready to be inspected and on the road to publishing soon.

MCA: You’ve given children such wonderful adventures—what’s next for your writing endeavors?

The illustrator, Callan Thornell, and I are working on two more books. One is a book about Tinzie Jo and Brindley enjoying time at the park. They encounter a pleasant surprise on their ride.

We are also working on a second Christmas book. It takes our love of dogs and the positive impact they have on one’s life, and combines it with Santa’s ride on Christmas Eve.

MCA: Connie, it’s always a pleasure to speak with you. Thanks for joining us again—and for creating such a memorable way to mark this holiday!