Abigail and the Waterfall
Written by Sandra L. Richter
Illustrated by Michael Corsini
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: IVP Kids (2025) | ISBN: 978-1514008928
Publisher’s Book Summary: Explore the wonders of creation with Abigail and learn to care for God’s good earth!
Abigail loves Saturdays—especially when her family goes hiking! Follow Abigail and her family as they hike through the lush landscapes of Appalachia, encounter fascinating animals, and marvel at a big, beautiful waterfall. On their adventure, Abigail learns about caring for creation — about loving and stewarding the world God created.
Written by parent and university professor Sandra Richter and brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Michael Corsini, Abigail and the Waterfall is more than just a storybook—it’s an invitation for families to discuss what the Bible says about caring for the environment, animals, and the beautiful world around us.
Why families will love Abigail and the Waterfall:
A captivating story about faith, nature, and stewardship
Thought-provoking themes to help kids learn to love the environment
A special note from the author to encourage meaningful conversations about creation care
Give your young readers a story filled with wonder and discovery. With Abigail and the Waterfall, families can experience the joy of exploring and protecting the world God has entrusted to us. Teach children to love all of God’s good earth and get your copy today!
Available for purchase on: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org and IVP Kids.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra L. Richter (PhD, Harvard University) is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, a member of the Committee on Biblical Translation for the NIV, and widely recognized for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic history. She is best known in the church for The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament, the video courses that have grown from that project, and Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters. Her newest project, Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God’s Good Earth, is a children’s book about stewarding the gifts of God’s creation.
For more information, visit sandyrichter.org or https://www.instagram.com/sandralynrichter.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Michael Corsini is an artist and illustrator with a BFA in illustration from Ringling School of Art and Design and an MTS from the John Paul II Institute in Washington, DC. His mission as an artist is to renew the church with works of beauty and music, and he has illustrated several children’s books including The Night the Saints Saved Christmas. Michael lives with his wife and their five children in northeast Pennsylvania where they are growing a small family homestead.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called -What inspired you to write this story?
Sandra L. Richter - I love this question! As an Old Testament scholar, I have written a number of technical articles, book chapters, and a book on environmental stewardship. And I have presented on the topic in dozens and dozens of settings. So when IVP decided they wanted to start engaging the topic with children they reached out to me. What IVP didn’t know, however, is that writing children’s books had always been on my bucket list. A bucket list I did not think I would get to until I retired from my “day job” as a professor. So IVP’s inquiry was my chance to bump that item up to the top of the bucket list! So now you’re asking “Why would someone with a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations want to write children’s books?” And the answer is that I’m a Mom. And raising my kids has been the greatest adventure and privilege of my life. So the chance to take some of my adventures with my girls and put them into a story for others, and at the same time engage this topic that is so important to me—I said “yes” before they had finished asking!
Life Is What It's Called - Why is the message of the story important for readers?
Sandra L. Richter - There are so many answers to this question. But the primary one is because the message of this book is important to the message of the Bible. God commands Adam and Eve to “tend and defend” the Garden in Genesis 2:15. In fact, humanity’s proper stewarding of the earth is part of our creation “in his image” (Gen 1:26-27). Israel is commanded to care for their land and the wild and domestic animal as a part of honoring him. Because of who we are (made in his image), children see and hear God through his creation. They intuitively want to care for the creatures God has entrusted to us. Families grow stronger through shared adventures in creation. This book celebrates and encourages those truths in the lives of Moms and Dads and Uncles and Aunts and Grandmas and Grandpas, and most importantly, in the lives of the children they are raising.
Life Is What It's Called - How do you see this book being used in a classroom or home setting?
Sandra L. Richter - In the home this book is a delightful read that will encourage the whole family to get out there and find a “special place” of their own. In the classroom, it will help the teacher articulate the biblical theology of creation care and the benefits of an adventure in the great outdoors. In the church, it will reinforce all of those messages as well as help those visiting the Church to see that the people of God are taking the care of this planet and its creatures seriously.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?
Sandra L. Richter - I want readers to know that they can trust me with their children. So readers will be interested to know that I started my professional journey in ministry and continue to serve the Church in any way I can. (They likely would be entertained to hear my stories of running “Toddler Church” at St. Pat’s Anglican in Lexington KY!). My academic credentials are strong—Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Harvard University. I’ve served as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, Wheaton College, and Westmont College. So I am deeply committed to good theology and good pedagogy. But perhaps most important, I am a parent. I treasure my children and am profoundly aware of the influence I have in their lives. What I teach them matters.
And my prayer is that this book will help to teach your children about the character of a God who loves his creation.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on?
Sandra L. Richter - I am working on several projects right now. I am writing the second edition of The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament with IVP. I am writing a textbook—an Introduction to Old Testament with Tremper Longman and Nancy Erickson with Zondervan. I am finishing up a new Bible study curriculum in “The Epic of Eden” series with HarperCollins. And I’m working on a commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans. I’ve also just released a video lecture on “Women in Ministry” with Seedbed and I’m working with several organizations and local pastors to address the complex issues of environmental degradation in Appalachia due to mountain-top removal coal mining. Readers can find me through my web site SandyRichter.org or my public- facing Facebook page Sandra L. Richter.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one of five copies of Abigail and the Waterfall! Plus, one grand prize winner will receive a special Book Lover’s Bundle—complete with a Starbucks gift card and the opportunity to select a book of their choice from Amazon.com.
Abigail and the Waterfall: Book Giveaway
Sandra L. Richter - I love this question! As an Old Testament scholar, I have written a number of technical articles, book chapters, and a book on environmental stewardship. And I have presented on the topic in dozens and dozens of settings. So when IVP decided they wanted to start engaging the topic with children they reached out to me. What IVP didn’t know, however, is that writing children’s books had always been on my bucket list. A bucket list I did not think I would get to until I retired from my “day job” as a professor. So IVP’s inquiry was my chance to bump that item up to the top of the bucket list! So now you’re asking “Why would someone with a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations want to write children’s books?” And the answer is that I’m a Mom. And raising my kids has been the greatest adventure and privilege of my life. So the chance to take some of my adventures with my girls and put them into a story for others, and at the same time engage this topic that is so important to me—I said “yes” before they had finished asking!
Life Is What It's Called - Why is the message of the story important for readers?
Sandra L. Richter - There are so many answers to this question. But the primary one is because the message of this book is important to the message of the Bible. God commands Adam and Eve to “tend and defend” the Garden in Genesis 2:15. In fact, humanity’s proper stewarding of the earth is part of our creation “in his image” (Gen 1:26-27). Israel is commanded to care for their land and the wild and domestic animal as a part of honoring him. Because of who we are (made in his image), children see and hear God through his creation. They intuitively want to care for the creatures God has entrusted to us. Families grow stronger through shared adventures in creation. This book celebrates and encourages those truths in the lives of Moms and Dads and Uncles and Aunts and Grandmas and Grandpas, and most importantly, in the lives of the children they are raising.
Life Is What It's Called - How do you see this book being used in a classroom or home setting?
Sandra L. Richter - In the home this book is a delightful read that will encourage the whole family to get out there and find a “special place” of their own. In the classroom, it will help the teacher articulate the biblical theology of creation care and the benefits of an adventure in the great outdoors. In the church, it will reinforce all of those messages as well as help those visiting the Church to see that the people of God are taking the care of this planet and its creatures seriously.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?
Sandra L. Richter - I want readers to know that they can trust me with their children. So readers will be interested to know that I started my professional journey in ministry and continue to serve the Church in any way I can. (They likely would be entertained to hear my stories of running “Toddler Church” at St. Pat’s Anglican in Lexington KY!). My academic credentials are strong—Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Harvard University. I’ve served as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, Wheaton College, and Westmont College. So I am deeply committed to good theology and good pedagogy. But perhaps most important, I am a parent. I treasure my children and am profoundly aware of the influence I have in their lives. What I teach them matters.
And my prayer is that this book will help to teach your children about the character of a God who loves his creation.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on?
Sandra L. Richter - I am working on several projects right now. I am writing the second edition of The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament with IVP. I am writing a textbook—an Introduction to Old Testament with Tremper Longman and Nancy Erickson with Zondervan. I am finishing up a new Bible study curriculum in “The Epic of Eden” series with HarperCollins. And I’m working on a commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans. I’ve also just released a video lecture on “Women in Ministry” with Seedbed and I’m working with several organizations and local pastors to address the complex issues of environmental degradation in Appalachia due to mountain-top removal coal mining. Readers can find me through my web site SandyRichter.org or my public- facing Facebook page Sandra L. Richter.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one of five copies of Abigail and the Waterfall! Plus, one grand prize winner will receive a special Book Lover’s Bundle—complete with a Starbucks gift card and the opportunity to select a book of their choice from Amazon.com.
Abigail and the Waterfall: Book Giveaway
This post is sponsored by Sandra L. Richter. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
