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It is not every day that a devoted blog follower has a new book coming out.
And it is definitely not everyday that someone asks me to do a cover reveal!
In fact, this is the very first time anyone has asked me!
I am so honored!
What more wonderful opportunity than to be able to help a fellow hard-working writer and loyal blog follower share her success?
Robin Currie is a talented writer, who has other books published already. She has entered the writing contests I run on this blog. She has faithfully shown up to support the Tuesday Debuts and comment on Perfect Picture Books, and generally be someone who consistently takes the time to show up and support the people whose work is shared here.
So I am overjoyed to be the one to show her new book to you!
You didn’t think it was going to be THAT quick, did you? 😊
So, first, a few words from the author herself!
The Tale of the Cow from Robin Currie
In Story Storm (Thanks, Tara Lazar! Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) | Blog & site of children’s book author Tara Lazar!) of 2023 idea #5 was “stable is just a shed for travelers’ horses and donkeys, the inn keepers’ cow and a few mice – Nothing Happens in a Stable.”
Talking to my agent later that spring he suggested I write 10 pieces about Christmas and see if he could sell some. That produced some winners like “Did the Holy Family Drive a Truck?” and “Why the Kings were Late to Bethlehem.” And one called “Old Hannah.”
The premise was along the lines of “always room for one more” where it gets more and more crowded as more animals escape the cold. That way I incorporated my fluent second language: cow (with a passable knowledge of goat, cat and dog). The twist on the original story is that the last to arrive are a tired couple about to have a baby. The animals quiet down to make room for the newborn king.
I had that outlined early on with the animals asking Old Hanna to let them in, and the cow replying.
BLAAT! Buzzer sound – foul!
The agent told me that in the religious market today animals don’t talk. (And despite the fact that I could name lots of books where animals DID talk – plus the whole “Gift of the talking animals on Christmas Eve” thing – he said it had a better chance of selling if the cattle did not chatter.
And the title should be changed to something about Christmas. OK – “Christmas in the Barn.”
Time for the critique groups – live and online (you know who you are!) – some little stuff, but basically lots of good feedback.
And another title change “Just Enough Room for Christmas.”
So, some tweaking and I sent off the Rate Your Story (Thanks, Lynne Marie! Rate Your Story | LiterallyLynneMarie) where it scored a once in a lifetime “1”!
Obviously, the offers should come rushing in. Crickets. (Churrip-churrip!)
So, I sent it to a couple of contests, mostly for some outside feedback. The manuscript got an honorable mention in the Cascade Writers 2024 and won Silver for Royal Palm Literary Awards 2024 from Florida Writers Association. You have to believe in a Blue Ribbon Cow!
Randomly I sent it to Good Books/Sky Horse Home – Good Books (noting was already an award winner and the animals did NOT talk!) and got an immediate response. Not only YES – but YES in 2025!
You know the cow that jumped over the moon? I was on its back! Mooooo!
And next, the description from the publisher:
In a tiny barn in Bethlehem, Old Hannah the cow lives alone until the cold wind drives other animals to seek shelter. One by one, they squeeze in, but when a tiny mouse stirs up trouble, the barn erupts into chaotic mooing, meowing, and barking. Will there be enough room for a little family to have a silent night?
Just Enough Room for Christmas is written to be read aloud, at home, in preschool classes and church children’s messages, or even Christmas Eve services. Families often get distracted by all the noise of the Christmas season. When we clear away all the clutter and distractions we find, in our homes and hearts, just enough room for the newborn King.
And now. . .
. . . the moment you’ve all been waiting for. . .
. . . THE REVEAL!!!
Isn’t it gorgeous???
And adorable???
Aren’t you just desperate to open that book and see what’s inside?
You can pre-order copies anywhere books are sold! Here is the link for it on Indiebound/Bookshop.org in case you’d like to get right on it 😊 (also the link for Amazon if that is your preference)
And, if you’re very, very lucky, you could WIN a copy, hot of the presses, when it is released September 2nd! Or, if you’re the winner and delayed gratification isn’t your thing 😊, you can have this adorable cow right now!
Cow now, or book in September! Winner’s choice!
If you want to be in the running, leave a comment on this post by Monday March 10th at 3PM Eastern, and if you want to be very extra specially nice, also follow Robin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/currierobin/ and share her book cover on social media. We all know how hard it is to gain visibility, and how important it is so that new books will get some traction and do well, so Robin will be grateful for any help you can give!
Thanks for stopping by to share the excitement and celebration of Robin’s big book cover reveal!
Have a wonderful Tuesday! 😊😊😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
How Now Brown Cow 😂
Congratulations, Robin!
Thanks!
Robin, I am sincerely thrilled for you! I’ve published two Christmas Books and there truly is no better time to meet people and spread a wonderful message!
I am thrilled, too!
That is so cool. Congratulations! The cover is beautiful and the story is perfect. Amazing. Thank you for sharing. ♥️
Artists are amazing!
Oh, Robin, this looks and sounds amazing! Congratulations! I’m so happy to have met you at the Whispering Woods retreat last fall. ☺️
I actually found out that week this book would be published but did not know they meant THIS YEAR!!
Yay, Robin! Great cover. Glad your story found a home!
Submitting does sometimes feel like wandering in the wilderness.
What a wonderful twist about a special night. Sure to be hit!! Congrats!
I think kids will enjoy the animals noise making.
Congratulations on this sweet book! I love how you took a beautiful event and turned it into a story for the world to read.
The art makes a huge difference!
Hooray for Old Hannah and Robin! What a great back story too. I enjoyed hearing about the changes that occurred. Thank you for sharing!
Many published stories have looooooong backstories!
I LOVE the cover! And the story sounds amazing. I can’t wait to read it. I’m so glad you kept at it. And a big CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks – great to be in Word Weavers with you!
Hello,Thanks for this post. The book looks delightful. The link to preorder seems to be broken. -kato Sent from my iPhone
thanks – we’ll get it fixed.
This looks adorable! Congratulations!
Congratulations Robin! Your cover is amazing!
The illustrator is amazing – I have to label my cows…
What a delightful (and creative) twist on the Christmas story! The cover is perfect and I love the idea of all the chaotic animal noise before the peace of the first Christmas descends. I’m excited to read this one to the grandkids.
I hope they enjoy it!
Amazon.com: Just Enough Room for Christmas: 9781680999730: Currie, Robin, Corke, Estelle: Books
Robin, I love this cover and its promise of a sweet story. Congratulations!!
I think even Christmas wigglers will sit still for this one!
The cover is beautiful! Congratulations, Robin!🎉
thanks – the animals I wrote about are suddenly real!
I enjoyed reading how the story evolved; your premise and plot sound lovely. The animals’ sweet expressions make the cover art very engaging. The whole effect practically moos out loud: “pick me up and read me.” Congratulations, Robin!
ooooooo good!
Susannah, thanks for sharing Robin’s story. It’s blogs like this that help writers, with no local writing community, to learn what’s going on.
Thank you, Robin, for sharing your story. It’s interesting to see how the book changes after input from agents and editors and critiques. I love that we all know there was no room at the inn, but nobody has ever considered, until now, that maybe there was no room in the barn, either. A cute premise and I wish you luck with it.
Stories behind stories about stories!
congratulations!!! I cannot wait to read!
It will be released on Sept 2!
What a perfect cover! And what a wonderful story. Congratulations, Robin!
Thanks, Sue! Writing is always a community activity!
Congratulations, Robin! Your book looks and sounds adorable!
I hope it shows up in library collections as well as Sunday school.
This looks like such a sweet story! And what a journey to publication! Congrats!
Every story has a back story!
Robin,
I love the theme of this story – it will make a beautiful Christmas gift!
Adorable, Robin! Congratulations!
Thanks – it was often PALS support that kept me going!
Congratulations! The cover art is adorable and I can’t wait to read your book.
It is a new fun look at the story with lots of animal noises.
Absolutely adorab
Thanks!
This book looks delightful. Congratulations!
Thanks!
Congratulations on your beautiful new book!
It was a long dry spell getting here!
Congratulations, Robin! Thank you for sharing about your book’s journey as well as for the insights on publishing in the religious market. It’s so interesting and inspiring! ~Lauren Simmons
This story looks amazing! Congratulations! You mentioned that your agent had you write ten Christmas stories. Have you ever written that many books on the same topic before?
This book looks fabulous! So excited to check this book out! It will be hot seller for sure. Great concept. Congratulations!
I am very excited to see it with illustrations!
Congratulations Robin!! I’m looking forward to reading this amazing PB! What a great idea for a Christmas book!🌟
Hopefully it will engage even Christmas wigglers!
Congrats, Robin! Such a fun concept, and a truly fantastic cover. Can’t wait to read the story.
Thanks!
that was quite the anticipation you gave, building up for the big reveal 🙂
It’s more fun if it lasts longer 🙂
It was GREAT!
This looks wonderful!!!!
I hope it is fun to read aloud.
This is such a wonderful way to tell the Christmas story! I love hearing about how you developed it idea and the feedback you received along the way. Congratulations!
Wow! This year – such amazing news1 Congratulations!
Congratulations on your new book! It sounds wonderful, and I love the cover!
Congrats Robin! This book looks adorable. What a beautiful gift it will be for a child. And that little Hanna…! I’ll always be a farm girl at heart and am a sucker a sweet little cow. ❤️🐮
Cow is my favorite language!
Congratulations Robin! I love the cover. The animals look so friendly and adorable. The type that you want to invite into your living room for an after noon snack.
Let’s meet in the barn – they are real animals! (no talking!)