Gloria Jean Bodenmuller, the author and illustrator of several Christian children's books, is preparing to release two new stories, including one that celebrates the meaning of Christmas.

Bodenmuller was inspired to write “Heaven” thanks to her curiosity about the subject, and said she spent a long time interviewing people, reading the Bible and researching heaven to form her interpretation of it.

“We always wonder what heaven is like,” she said. “What's it all about? Where's it at? Who's there?”

“It's going to be my final destination,” she added, “and I wanted to know what it's like.”

“The Christmas Star” will be released this week, and Bodenmuller has a few book signing scheduled for Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, she will be at Chapel in the Pines in Arnold for a Christmas luncheon, where she will talk about how she got started writing books. A preview of “Heaven,” scheduled for release later this month, will also be presented. For more information about the luncheon, call Vickie Jennings at 795-4732. Bodenmuller will be at Angels Glad Tidings bookstore, 1211 S. Main St., Angels Camp, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. She will sign books and there will be refreshments available, she said, adding that the day will include a special surprise for visitors. On Dec. 19, Bodenmuller will sign books at Leap of Faith bookstore, 726 Mono Way, Sonora, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a miracle book,” Bodenmuller said of her Christmas story, which, like her other books, is self-published and printed at Condrashoff Fabricators in Jackson. Her busy schedule didn't leave her with much time to finish the book, but she said that, thanks to the support and help of friends and family, she was able to get it done. “And here it is, right before Christmas, all ready to go.”

“The Christmas Star” includes a new artistic foray for Bodenmuller, who previously illustrated her books with crayon and pencil. She recently learned how to paint watercolors, and said she used the new skill to make her book more vibrant. The story also includes a food art project for children and their families.

Bodenmuller's previous books include her first, “Angels All Around Me,” and “My Very Own Book About Gardening” and “What is Easter?” “Angels” was recently broadcast worldwide over radio and Internet, reaching the ears of children in Russia, Africa, the Middle East, India, China, North and South Korea, Japan and Australia.

“Isn't that neat?” Bodenmuller said. “Children who can't afford it – they heard it.”

Like her other books, “The Christmas Star” and “Heaven” include CDs of Bodenmuller and a group of children – Kelly, Alyse and Bodenmuller's granddaughter, Laurel – singing. The Christmas book features the children and Bodenmuller singing “Silent Night” in English and German, accompanied by Lois Conklin on the Autoharp.

Bodenmuller has been writing for 40 years and lives in Circle XX with her husband, Fred. She has two sons, Franz and Jeff.

For more information about Bodenmuller, and to purchase books, visit christianbooks4children.com.

Contact Krissi Krob at kkrob@calaverasenterprise.com.

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