Local Resident Writes and Illustrates Children’s Book

Horicon, Wis. — With a love for her grandchildren and the hand of God as her
guide, Margaret Marshall of Horicon, Wisconsin began writing and illustrating
Nina and Xavier Meet Jesus, a book aimed to teach children about Jesus.

The concept of the book began six years ago when Marshall was diagnosed with
Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While undergoing chemotherapy, she began putting her
thoughts onto paper. “I seem to solve my problems through writing, ” Marshall
explains. “It fills an empty space in my life and brings me closer to the Lord. I
hope this book helps others by reading and learning about God.”

Nina and Xavier Meet Jesus is focused around the experiences of two fictional
characters… a donkey named Nina, and a dove named Xavier. The two animals,
who are named after two of Marshall’s six grandchildren, enjoy talking about how
they met Jesus and what they learned from him. The story takes you back to the
Holy Land and is set in the time when Jesus walked on earth, just prior to His
Crucifixion. Parts of the story are taken from the Bible while other parts are
fictional. “I wanted to make the story interesting and thought provoking to get
children emotionally involved. I believe the story will bring children closer to the
Lord by asking themselves what they can do to make the world a better place,”
Marshall states.

Though the story was written, Marshall now had the challenge of illustrating the
book. She worked with two separate artists but was not completely satisfied. “I
now had to make a choice… either illustrate the book myself or delay my book
publishing.” Marshall decided to contact the Apple store for recommendations
regarding drawing programs and purchased a Corel Painter Sketch Pad.
Marshall began to draw free-hand, day and night during this past January. “I
could not draw anything well except for a tree without leaves. With the
sketch pad, I still have to draw, but I can erase all I want,” she explains. “Now,
as I drew the dove, with the Lord’s help, I thought about how I know the Lord
guides us if we let him. I thought about the saying I learned in Alanon, a support
group for people who have been affected by someone else’s alcohol abuse, ‘Let
go and let God.’ I decided to let Him take care of my concerns. I questioned…
Why, when things are going well, we realize He is guiding us; Why, when things
are not going well, we don’t rely on Him to take care of matters? I made the
decision to trust the Lord to take care of matters, not forgetting that I need to
glorify the Lord with my words and actions.”

Nina and Xavier Meet Jesus is available in Christian bookstores and online at
MargaretAMarshall.com. Marshall is also available for classroom visits and
would be happy to read her book for children and other religious groups. Please  
send Marshall an email: lighttomylamp@live.com. “We are responsible for the
souls of the young,” reflects Marshall. ”That’s why it is so important to share
God's word with others so they, too, may be touched by His hand.”
     Order your copy of
Nina and Xavier Meet Jesus
Lighttomylamp@live.com
$21.99
(price includes shipping and handling)
Contact Margaret: