Fulton County author Donna Frisinger is shown with her newest book, “Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit.” It’s a children’s book dealing with death from a Christian perspective. Photo provided.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — There’s a shortage of children’s picture books available addressing the topic of death written from a Christian perspective, said Donna Frisinger.

It’s why the Fulton County author opted to publish such a book, “Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit.”

Frisinger will sign copies of the book, published in 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Mustard Seed Mercantile, 602 Main St., Rochester.

In the foreword to “Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit,” Frisinger dedicates the story to her three grandnephews, Matty, Sammy and Wiley. Matty actually inspired the book, said Frisinger.

She mentioned Matty “is really close” to her husband, Barry, and just asked Barry one time, three years ago, if Barry was “going to die.”

“So, Barry got to lead him to Jesus as a result,” she said.

“I started looking online trying to find children’s books written from a Christian worldview … to help explain what death is,” she said.

She noted she couldn’t find any and actually many books simply dealt with “losing pets.”

“This is the most important question in life and children need to know, and sometimes they lose a little friend even and don’t even know what happened,” she said.

She noted the book is for ages 4 and up, but “it’s really ageless.” She put a Bible verse on each page.

“So the kids may not get that, but as the adults are reading to them, I hope they (see the Bible verses),” said Donna.

“Honestly, I think anybody that has lost somebody that they’re really close to, whether they’re a child, a teen or a senior citizen or anything in between, this will be a comfort to them,” she added. “I hope it will take away the fear of death and get them to face their own mortality because any moment our life could be taken from us and we don’t have to fear it if we love Jesus.”

“Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit” recently won an Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Golden Scroll Award.

“They give yearly awards for the best new Christian books on the market,” said Donna.

Due to a friend funding a number of the books, Donna has some to give away for free to churches, funeral homes and the like. People may purchase the book at Mustard Seed Mercantile or on Amazon.

“Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit” is her fifth book, with the others including those in the Bink and Slinky series and “A Transistor Christmas.”

She’s currently working on other books, including two “Chicken Soup For the Soul”-type nonfiction books.

The first is called “One Chance … One Dance: Don’t Miss the Moments of Your Life” and should be out next spring. It includes stories by Donna and other authors regarding “missed opportunities” or ones that people did take advantage of, she said.

“It’s missed opportunities you wish you could redo,” she said. “It’s an encouragement to live life to the fullest.”

“You might miss something that God wants you to do because you’re so intent on (other things),” said Donna. “So don’t miss the moments of your life.”

The second book, set to come out around Christmas 2024, is “Heaven’s Kiss: Hugs and Tugs For the Christmas Season.” It’s also an anthology of stories by Donna and other authors.

“It’s all just encouraging stories to live your life. Don’t miss it, and I think so many people don’t do that,” she said.

Donna is also working on a patriotic children’s book called “Why We Stand,” which refers to why people stand for the national anthem, and a book called “Monkey in the Middle.”

The latter tells of three girls being brought together by an “ornery capuchin monkey,” she said.

A look inside “Bye-Bye Earthsuit – Hello Heavensuit.” InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.