SEPT. 21, 2009 — Her latest children’s book is pink and glittery, but Vancouver Christian fiction writer Karen Kingsbury says there’s something in “The Princess and the Three Knights” for boys, too. While girls relate to the princess, boys align themselves with the honorable suitor who wins her hand, Kingsbury says.
“The Princess and the Three Knights,” published by Zonderkidz and illustrated by Canadian muralist Gabrielle Grimard, came out this month and is the fourth foray into children’s literature for New York Times bestselling author Kingsbury. The 46-year-old mother of six has written 45 books with more 15 million copies sold.
“The Princess and the Three Knights” tells the story of a trio of men courting a beautiful princess. The book explores ideas of love, rivalry, bravery and faith.
When writing children’s books, substance is key for Kingsbury.
“I’m only going to write a children’s book if it’s emotional or if it has a message,” she said. “‘The Princess and the Three Knights’ is a message that your true friends will always protect you and love you. The ones who care about you will never take you to a dangerous place.”
Kingsbury’s books often are inspired by things happening in her own life and family. Her first children’s book, “Let Me Hold You Longer,” came out in 2004 and deals with “watching kids growing up.” It’s a bit like the Robert Munsch title “Love You Forever” in that regard, she said.
Kingsbury’s subsequent children’s books have centered on topics including Christmas and “mommy dates.”
She has a book focused on fathers, “Let’s Go Have a Daddy Day,” coming out next year.
She’ll also release a companion to “The Princess and the Three Knights” next year called “The Brave Young Knight.” That book, geared toward young boys, follows four knights competing to become prince, Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury’s adult fans have new titles to anticipate as well.
Her next novel, “Shades of Blue,” comes out Oct. 20. It deals with a 28-year-old man, about to get married, who reaches out to his high school sweetheart to try to make peace with the decision they made years ago to terminate an unplanned pregnancy.
It’s about forgiveness and healing and was inspired by the Tim McGraw song “Red Ragtop.”
Kingsbury said she’d been trying to find the time to write “Shades of Blue” for a few years, but kept putting it on hold to add additional titles to her various series.
One of those series, “Above the Line,” is about to get another installment. “Above the Line, Take Three” will be out March 23, followed by “Take Four” in June. Kingsbury got the idea for the series, about producers struggling to make a film without losing themselves in the process, while on the set of “Like Dandelion Dust.”
“Like Dandelion Dust” is the first Kingsbury novel to be translated to screen. The movie, starring Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper, is making the rounds at various film festivals, recently showing at events in Deauville, France, and the Century City district of Los Angeles. It’s won various jury, audience selection and acting awards, and Kingsbury hopes for a spring 2010 theatrical release.
Mary Ann Albright: maryann.albright@columbian.com, 360-735-4507.
