How Children’s Books Can Foster Discipleship and Spiritual Growth with Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer
A conversation with Jen Weaver & Gayle Veitenheimer about their books that help your kids walk with God in the everyday moments of life.
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If you’ve ever wished for a children’s book series that blends mystery, adventure, and real-time discipleship, you’re going to love today’s conversation. On the BookWorthy Podcast, I sat down with two women who are shaping the landscape of Christian middle-grade fiction in a fresh, deeply intentional way: Jen Weaver, Bible teacher and host of Good God Talks, and Gayle Veitenheimer, author and host of the Christian Grandparenting podcast.
These two powerhouse communicators met in a critique group, discovered a shared love of kids’ books and mysteries, and teamed up to create the Kingswell Kids Detective Series—a contemporary middle-grade mystery series designed to help kids walk with God in “real life, real time, right now”.
Their first book, The Mystery of the Missing Falls, introduces readers to cousins Luca and Ember—two 11-year-olds with opposite personalities, opposite church backgrounds, and one shared mission: solve the mysteries the adults can’t.
But beneath the fun and adventure lies something deeper: a gentle, accessible invitation for kids to talk with God, hear His voice, and grow in their faith.
Let’s dive in.
A Random Question… and a Rainbow Shrimp?
Every BookWorthy episode begins with a random question, and this one did not disappoint.
If Jen had two minutes to give a speech on anything non-book-related, she’d talk about… the mantis shrimp.
This rainbow-colored creature has 12 to 16 color cones in its eyes, compared to our three. Jen shared, “I’m just fascinated by wondering what they can see, what colors we have in our world that we just don’t have the perception of”.
Gayle’s answer? She’d speak on partnering with God—a theme that threads beautifully into their books. “Partnering with Him not only in life but in work and in all that you do,” she said, which is exactly what the Kingswell Kids series models for young readers.
"Partnering with Him not only in life but in work and in all that you do,”
The Heart Behind the Kingswell Kids Mysteries
The series began with a need Jen felt for her own children. She wanted stories that would help her boys understand prayer, hear from God, and live life with Him. She found good books—but not quite what she was looking for.
So she approached Gayle with a simple question: “Would you want to consider writing kids’ books with me?”
And the Kingswell Kids Detective Agency was born.
The series follows cousins Luca and Ember, two kids who couldn’t be more different:
Luca is logical, scientific, justice-oriented, and liturgical in his faith. “He’s growing up with a single dad who is a police detective… very scientific, very logical, very justice-oriented,” Gayle explained.
Ember is creative, relational, charismatic in her faith, and naturally conversational with God. “She’s very artsy and creative, people-oriented… more conversational in her approach to her relationship with God,” Jen shared.
Together, they form a delightful “opposites attract” detective duo—one that mirrors the diversity of Christian traditions kids encounter in real life.
Why Include Different Denominations?
Both authors grew up in homes that blended multiple Christian traditions. Gayle described her upbringing as “a Heinz 57 of denominations” with a Southern Baptist father and a Lutheran mother, and children who later became Catholic.
Jen’s story was similar—Nazarene, Assemblies of God, Baptist, and non-denominational all shaped her childhood.
They wanted their books to reflect that same diversity.
“We wanted to create stories that any Christian family could pick up… with no unwanted surprises, but also easy conversation starters based on scripture and God’s character,” Jen said.
In a culture eager to divide, Luca and Ember show kids that Christians can worship differently and still follow the same Jesus.
Book One: Teaching Kids to Hear God in Prayer
The first book in the series weaves a discipleship theme through the mystery: hearing God in prayer.
Jen shared that every time she and Gayle meet to write, they pray for the families who will read their books. Their hope?
That a child will finish a chapter and think, “I want to talk with God.”
“We pray that a kid reader will finish a chapter and want to talk with God frequently… that it will feel accessible and relatable,” Jen said.
The book models:
Kids asking honest questions
Kids wrestling with doubt
Kids are learning to listen.
Kids are discovering that God speaks in different ways.
And the authors don’t shy away from the hard questions.
Luca, who is more formal in his faith, asks Ember: “How do I know it’s Him answering and not just the thoughts in my own head?”
These are the same questions adults ask. And that’s the point.
How Do They Hear God?
I asked Jen Weaver and Gayle Vietemhiemer how God speaks to them personally, and their answers were beautifully grounded.
Jen shared that God often speaks to her through nature—especially trees. “I admire His handiwork in a good tree… that’s kind of become a thing between the Lord and me,” she said.
She also described an “internal knowing”—a thought that carries peace, clarity, or conviction beyond her own reasoning.
Gayle echoed this, adding that sometimes God gives her a clear word or impression she knows is from Him.
But they also emphasized something important: Their characters wrestle with these questions, too.
“We don’t just model the successes… we also model the wrestling and the questions,” Jen said.
This makes the books a safe place for kids to explore their own spiritual questions.
Why Story Is Such a Powerful Discipleship Tool
One of my favorite moments in the conversation was when Gayle explained why fiction is such an effective way to disciple kids.
“When we speak about commandments or precepts, the left brain shuts the door. But when we say the same things through a story, the right brain opens the door and welcomes all that information in,” she said.
Story engages the heart first.
It builds empathy. It lowers defenses. It invites curiosity. It makes truth feel lived-in and real.
This is why Jesus told parables. It’s why Lewis and Tolkien still resonate. And it’s why the Kingswell Kids series works.
What’s Coming Next in the Series?
The Kingswell Kids series is designed around “kid-sized mysteries with God-sized truths.”
Here’s what’s ahead:
Book 2 — Identity & Belonging (Spring 2027)
Set in Luca and Ember’s school, this story centers on a prankster, a mysterious “lone wolf,” and the spiritual theme of identity as God’s children.
Gayle shared a beautiful behind-the-scenes moment: They didn’t plan the fatherhood-of-God theme—it emerged naturally as they wrote. “We hadn’t picked up on it… but as we were rereading, it’s like, no, that’s there. We need to pivot,” she said.
Book 3 — Overcoming Fear
Set in the Grand Canyon (where Gayle has hiked rim-to-rim multiple times!), this book follows the cousins on vacation as they stumble into a growing mystery involving drones, hikers, and suspicious activity.
Book 4 — TBD
They’re currently praying through the theme for this one.
📖 The Books That Shaped Them
When asked about the most impactful books in their lives (besides the Bible), both authors named the same one: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Jen shared that Aslan’s portrayal helped correct misunderstandings she had about God as a child. "There were ways that Jesus was portrayed as Aslan that prompted more curiosity in me,” she said.
Gayle added that Lewis’s ability to “sneak in discipleship” is something she deeply admires—and something they aim to emulate.
Where to Find the Kingswell Kids
You can explore the series, bonus resources, Bible app plans, and more at:
You’ll also find links to Jen and Gayle’s individual websites and ministries.
Final Thoughts
As a mom, a writer, and someone who cares deeply about helping families cultivate a faith-filled reading life, this conversation encouraged me so much. Jen and Gayle are creating stories that don’t just entertain—they equip. They invite. They disciple.
And they do it in a way that feels natural, joyful, and accessible for kids and parents alike.
If you’re looking for books that help your kids walk with God in the everyday moments of life, the Kingswell Kids Detective Series is a gift.
Happy reading, friends.
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