Interview with Author Sherry Kyle

Today I'm taking a break from blogging about revisions to introduce Sherry Kyle, author of The Christian Girl's Guide to Style (for girls ages 8-13). It's the latest offering in the Christian Girl's Guide series from Legacy Press.

Sherry lives and writes in California, where she and her husband are raising their four children. The Christian Girl's Guide to Style is her third book for kids. Her first novel for women, Delivered with Love, will be released in spring 2011 from Abingdon Press.

Marilyn: Sherry, I so enjoyed reading The Christian Girl's Guide to Style. It's fun and factual, and it helps tween girls be aware of the importance of developing their characters as well as their wardrobes. And, the book comes with a supercute faux fur change purse!

The first question I want to ask is: What inspired you to write The Christian Girl's Guide to Style?

Sherry: In today’s culture, girls are bombarded with what the world sees as important in the area of fashion and beauty from secular magazines, television and movies. The world teaches them that their outward appearance is all that matters. YIKES! What a wrong message.

While researching this topic in my Bible, I came across Colossians 3:12-17. Verse 12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” I thought, why not combine these biblical principles (as well as others from v. 13-17) with fashion/beauty items so that girls can learn how to be beautiful inside and out!

Marilyn: Girls (and boys) these days have so many messages coming at them from different directions, don't they? Please share your thoughts on the influences in girls' lives these days. How does The Christian Girl's Guide to Style offer a different perspective?

Sherry: Peers, the entertainment industry, and the Internet are three examples of what is influencing girls these days. One night recently I flipped through the television channels and came upon the American Music Awards. I was disheartened to see the wardrobe (or lacks thereof) the singers were wearing.

The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style offers a different perspective because the foundation of the book is the Bible and what God thinks is important compared to a secular worldview. For example, 1 Timothy 2: 9-10 says, “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

Marilyn: I love many things about this book, including how "inner style" and "outer style" are woven together. How difficult do you think it is for girls to nurture their inner beauty these days?

Sherry: Very difficult, but as parents we can teach our girls what the Bible says about nurturing our inner beauty. We can give them books, such as The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style, that point them to Scripture in a way that is fun and relatable.

Marilyn: I noticed that each chapter in the book covers a topic in rich, fun, and unique ways. Please tell us about the process you used to plan and write this book.

Sherry: Once I matched a fashion/beauty item with a biblical principle, I wrote a story that combined the two for each chapter, found Bible verses, created quizzes or other activities, as well as wrote style tips, questions, crafts, and prayers. One of my favorite parts of each chapter is the "Letters to God" section, where the main character of the story journals what happens next and what she’s learned. I also include a section where girls can journal their own letters to God.

Marilyn: That's one of my favorite sections, too, and they all work together very well. Being interested in history, I also loved reading the historical fashion facts sprinkled throughout the book. Where did you find them?

Sherry: I researched the Internet for the different historical facts depending on the topic of the chapter. For example, it was fun to discover that during the 1840s, little girls usually wore their hair loose, short or shoulder length, with a part in the middle or that glass jewelry was made in large quantities in the 1920s.

Marilyn: What would you like to tell girls--what would you like them to know?

Sherry: YOU are unique! Nobody else looks like you. God has made you to be YOU! You are the only one with your body, eyes, hair, likes, and dislikes. You truly have your own style. Embrace who you are as God’s girl!

Marilyn: Sherry, thank you so much for sharing your time, thoughts, and heart with me today. I wish you all the best with your book!

For more about Sherry Kyle, visit her website at http://www.sherrykyle.com/.