Crista Stewart, 37, became inspired to write her first book “The Little Frog” while composing imaginative stories in her head and reciting them to her four young children. One day last spring while she was teaching Sunday school at her local church, a co-worker began enlightening the students that FROG was an acronym for Fully Rely On God and that they would now never be able to look at a frog the same way again. This concept sparked an idea in Crista and she went home that very night and wrote “The Little Frog,” a children’s book that teaches that God has a purpose for all of us and loves us despite what we perceive as our own flaws. “I know God was involved in prompting me to write this book” explained Stewart, “because when I sat down that night to write it the words just came pouring out.”
Stewart’s mission in writing “The Little Frog” is her hope to make a difference in a child’s or in a family’s life by allowing them to realize that we are all beautiful in God’s eyes. Through an endearing little green creature named Little Frog, Crista gives us a lesson in faith, love and self-acceptance all rolled into one. The little frog in Crista’s book, which is written for pre-schoolers through elementary age, thinks God doesn’t love him because he doesn’t look like everyone else. He is small, isn’t the right shade of green and is missing a leg and, for these reasons, feels insignificant. He soon realizes, however, that God has a special purpose in mind for him. “It’
As the news spreads throughout the Christian community about Stewart’s book and its message, lead singer from the popular Christian pop band, Jars of Clay, Dan Haseltine, had this to say " Little Frog is a welcomed new character in the stories of children with disabilities who wonder why they are made differently, and every child who is searching for love and acceptance in a big world." - Dan Haseltine, Lead singer of Jars of Clay, and author of "The One, The Only Magnificent Me!"
Although Crista admits she did not have a particularly religious upbringing, in adulthood she began surrounding herself with folks who followed Christ’s teachings simply because she liked the way she felt when she was around them. “My friends who knew the Lord just seemed so happy and at peace,” reflects Stewart. Deciding she wanted the same contentment for her own life she began going to church in 2004 and has never looked back. Crista’
Crista attended Edinboro college (where she also met her husband) and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development. She later went to The University of Pittsburgh where she received her graduate degree in Special Education. She worked in the field for 3 years before starting her family in 2000. A stay-at-home Mom, Crista currently resides in McMurry, PA with her husband, Eric, and their four children, Makenzie (8), Irelynd (6), Haley (4) and Gage (2). Crista feels blessed that she has been in a position to raise her children to know God and that she has been committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for her family including exercise and nutritious cooking. Crista plans to continue writing and hopes to someday make The Little Frog book into a series.
