Lisa Shoemaker of Fraser recently published the inspirational children¹s story ³Mantis and Pillar: A Journey in the Garden.² Source photo by Debra Kaszubski

“I was inspired by God,” she said. “I poured myself into the scriptures and I applied what I learned to my life. It has given me peace and let me deal with anything. I hope this story will inspire others also.”

The book, the first of up to 10 that Shoemaker would like to publish, tells the story of Mantis and Pillar, two creatures whose lives and garden homes are uprooted after a terrible storm. As things take a turn for the worse, Pillar begins to question whether things will ever return to normal in the garden while Mantis seems to have the answers. Shoemaker chose a mantis as the main character because the insect looks as if it’s praying. The book is an easy read and is geared for elementary school-age children.

“It’s a fun, light story, but the underlying message is about God,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker also illustrated the book, which is filled with black and white drawings of the main characters and their lush garden. Both illustrating and writing the book proved to be a challenge for Shoemaker, who took up to 10 hours to complete one illustration. When Shoemaker was faced with a challenge in the development of the book, she would ask God for help.

“I would come up with the basic idea, and before I would sit down and type, I would pray,” Shoemaker said. “I believe that God was guiding me through.”

Shoemaker, who has sold 250 copies since the book’s April 8 release, has helped promote the story by sending letters to area Christian schools. She hopes to read to a class one day, and has already arranged for book signings at Barnes and Noble in Grosse Pointe on July 12 and at Borders in Troy on July 19.

A graduate of Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, Shoemaker says she was raised in a religious home. She has always believed in God, but only in her adult life did she become more of a devout Christian. She has shared her beliefs with her own children and hopes this story will inspire others.

“When all is said and done, I hope that anyone who hears the story will have a better understanding of how to have a relationship with God so that one day they will be in the kingdom of heaven with Him,” Shoemaker said.

“Mantis and Pillar: A Journey in the Garden” costs $7.99 and is available at most bookstores. It can be ordered through the publisher at orders@tatepublishing.com, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or target.com. Audio versions are also available.