Exploring the Heartfelt Journey of Dr. Anne Worth: A Conversation on "Tessie's Tears"

Understanding Children's Literature and Grief

Valerie - Welcome to the Bookworthy Podcast! Today, we explore Kidlet, literature that nurtures kids' hearts and souls. Kidlet spans from birth to teens, so there's much to discuss. We have Dr. Anne Worth here to talk about her three-book series, Tessie's Tears. Dr. Worth has been a counselor for 40 years and recently began writing for children. Her first book addresses young children's toughest questions about difficult life events. Welcome to Bookworthy, Ann!

Anne - Thank you so much for having me.

Valerie - I'm thrilled to have you here! To kick things off, what is the most unique place you have traveled to?

Anne - It would have to be Russia. I met a young man aging out of an orphanage, and I became his mama. I've returned to Russia many times. In fact, I'm meeting my son in Mexico next month after not seeing him for five years due to the war.

Valerie - Oh my goodness, that's a beautiful story! If we don't get to discuss it today, perhaps we can talk about it another time. Can you tell us a little about your three-book series?

The Heart of "Tessie's Tears"

Anne - Yes! During the pandemic, I pondered how children processed the overwhelming number of deaths. My adult mind struggled to comprehend it. Parents tried to shield their kids, but children overheard conversations about death. My first book features Grampy, who goes to the hospital and does not return home but goes to be with Jesus. Tessie, very sad because she loved her grandfather, finds comfort when her grandmother explains heaven. She learns that Grampy is young and happy there, and she can remember all their moments together.

The second book tells the story of a little girl who loses her best friend. The friend doesn’t die; she moves away. The children can't play together anymore, which makes the little girl feel alone. However, twins move in next door, love Jesus, and remind her that they have a friend who will never move away—His name is Jesus. All the books tackle tough issues, teaching children that difficulties are temporary and that God has a plan, working behind the scenes to bring good into our lives.

Valerie - I love that! It's inspiring how such a challenging time in our world motivated you to use your counseling background to help children. How has your counseling experience influenced your writing?

Anne - I hope my books provide parents with a way to help their children. Sometimes, parents don't know what to say. It's crucial for children to ask questions and talk about their feelings. While I'm not a child psychologist, I aim to guide parents on how to support their kids.

Valerie - That's so important! Discussing topics like death and friends moving away can be tough. In my childhood, we didn't talk about the emotional side of these experiences. We just moved on. Kids today are not equipped to handle these feelings without guidance.

Anne - Exactly! Parents often deal with their grief and fear that discussing it will upset their children. Many adults have read my book and wished someone had shared it with them when they were young because they lacked that support.

Valerie - Death and loss are uncomfortable topics, as they are not part of God's original plan. They are meant to feel difficult because they are. Communicating about these emotions is essential, even if it’s not where we want to spend our time.

Anne - These experiences will happen. My books are not just for those who have faced loss; they are for everyone.

Valerie - That's true! Everyone encounters loss in some form, whether it's through death or the changing nature of friendships. One day, a friend is there, and the next, they are not. We all seek meaning in these experiences. Now, the third book is about a rescue puppy, right?

Lessons from a Rescue Puppy

Anne - Yes, it's about a rescue puppy! God loves everything He created, including animals. One of our earlier conversations touched on a favorite book of mine. When I read Black Beauty at age ten, it changed my life and sparked my passion for animals. To this day, I still foster dogs. This book tells the story of a rescue puppy that gets lost and found. Tessie's family sees her despair and starts a dog rescue, inspired by the puppy's journey.

Valerie - That's so sweet! Animals hold a special place in our hearts. They teach us compassion and love. Losing a beloved pet can be just as painful as losing a person. My oldest son grew up with a dog until he was six. When we had to put her down, he still misses her.

Anne - We don’t have time to discuss it today, but you probably know about the Rainbow Bridge, where animals await us. It’s not biblical, but I believe God loves animals too. I hope they are in heaven with us.

Valerie - I once wrote an article on whether pets go to heaven, and it sparked many interesting responses. People have different viewpoints, but we know that God loves all of His creation. We are made in His image, but all creation is precious. The love animals have for us reflects God's love.

RECOMMENDED READING: Does the Bible Say Animals Go to Heaven

Anne - Have you ever heard the saying that God is dog spelled backward? I don’t mean it irreverently, but it’s a sweet thought.

Valerie - Yes! I heard that dogs have shorter lifespans because they are born knowing love, while we must learn it over time. Their unconditional love is a beautiful reflection of God's love.

Anne - My books target children aged four to eight, but they are illustrated beautifully. Even toddlers can create their own stories from the pictures. The illustrators, a young couple from the Philippines, use vibrant colors that appeal to both children and adults.

Valerie - C.S. Lewis once said that if a children's book is only enjoyed by children, it’s not a very good book. It's wonderful to see how children's literature can impact both young and old hearts. With your focus on difficult topics, what other messages do you hope to convey through your books?

Themes of Hope and Faith

Anne - In the second book, I share that I didn’t become a Christian until I was 55. The two little girls in the story love Jesus deeply. Tessie experiences the joy of inviting Jesus into her heart. These books also convey messages of salvation and the importance of family. They present the spiritual journey, allowing children who don’t know Jesus to meet Him through the stories.

Valerie - That’s fantastic! Most Christian authors desire to point readers back to the salvation story. We can have hope in our losses and hardships. Jesus promised us that we would face trouble in this world.

Anne - All my books have happy endings. They indicate that, generally, most hardships are temporary. I’m 81, and while there are end-of-life issues, I believe that even better things await us after this life. Hope and faith are central themes in my books.

Valerie - It's crucial to work through our emotions rather than getting stuck in them. I tell my boys that it's okay to feel mad, sad, or frustrated, but we need to process those feelings.

Anne - We must learn to express our emotions appropriately. Use your inside voice, as I used to tell my grandchildren.

Valerie - Yes, boys have unique ways of expressing themselves! Are you prioritizing your brother over the toy you're upset about?

Anne - Exactly! When did your writing journey begin?

Anne - I've always journaled. As a professional, I've spoken on many topics, including addiction. People began asking me to contribute chapters or stories to newspapers. I realized I could write. I never thought I could be an author until a woman I met encouraged me. During the pandemic, she called and asked about my writing. I told her I could finish my memoir, and she offered to publish it. That led to my children's books.

Valerie - It's amazing to see how God guided you in this direction.

Anne - We had a silent retreat where we could talk enough to make connections.

Valerie - A woman's silent retreat must be quite different from a man's! Now, tell us about how you got into counseling.

Anne - I had a difficult childhood, which drove my interest in psychology. Many people become therapists to understand their struggles. I’ve always had a heart for those without a voice—animals, children, and the disenfranchised. I wanted to help those who needed it because I didn’t receive the help I needed.

Valerie - When you lack support, it creates a desire to provide it for others. I have friends in foster care, and it's heartbreaking to see the struggles children face.

Anne - Yes, it’s a beautiful miracle. My experiences shaped my determination to provide for others what I didn’t receive. I didn’t realize that only God could fill that void until I was 55. When I met Him, everything changed.

Valerie - That’s incredible! I’d love to hear more about your journey to Christ. What was that process like?

Anne - It’s in my memoir, Call Me Worthy. My name is Worth, but I couldn’t give myself worth. I found it through Jesus. When I read the story of the prodigal son, I felt that Jesus is waiting for everyone who doesn’t know Him. He longs for that relationship.

Valerie - Praise the Lord for your journey!

Anne - Yes, I was lost and then found, and Jesus was the bridge.

Valerie - I love that line from The Chosen. Jesus is the pivot that changes everything. Worthiness is a theme in your name, your book, and this podcast. It’s a reminder that we are worthy of good books and good things. What is your favorite book?

Anne - I would say the Bible, of course. I recently discovered a beautiful translation called the Passion Translation. I’ve always loved the Message version for its contemporary language. I also enjoy fiction, like The Secret Life of Bees, The Color Purple, and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Every book I love features an underdog and miraculous changes, just like Black Beauty.

Valerie - It’s beautiful how classic books continue to impact lives. I read an abridged version of Black Beauty to my kids, and they wanted me to keep reading despite its complexity.

Anne - Yes, some mean characters exist in stories. Yet, even Black Beauty has a happy ending.

Valerie - I cry every time! What can we expect next from you?

Anne - I have a book in my head about a little Korean orphan named Mae Lee, who will be adopted by a couple on Tessie Street. I also plan to write about divorce, addressing issues like alcoholism and how addicts are not bad people but individuals in pain. These are challenging topics for children to understand.

Valerie - Writing about these issues in an understandable, honest, and encouraging way is a beautiful gift. You take your counseling knowledge and distill it into what our hearts need to hear. Many adults appreciate your books because we often seek simple truths in difficult situations. God is good, and He can turn hard times into greater blessings. I look forward to hearing more about your upcoming books. Where can people find out more about you and your work?

Anne - My books are available on Amazon in hard copy and ebook formats. My memoir is also on Audible. You can visit my website, www.dranneworthauthor.com, or my Facebook page. You’ll know it’s me if I’m wearing my big red glasses. I’m happy to donate books to schools or churches. I love reading to children or getting my books into their hands.

Valerie - That sounds like a wonderful opportunity! I hope people reach out to you to share these important topics with children. Thank you for being here today.

Anne - Thank you for the invitation!

Valerie - It’s my pleasure. Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast. Check the show notes for any books or links we discussed. In the comments, let us know the most unique place you’ve ever traveled. Be sure to like and subscribe so we can discover more great books together.

Happy reading!