"When we include God in our day, God shows us amazing things," said author Krista Snyder. Krista, who lives in Elizabethtown, has published a book with this message. "Basil's Blessings: My Special Day With God" is geared toward children ages 4 to 7. It tells the story of Basil, a little inchworm, and the adventures he encounters with a bluebird named BB.

Although the book was published in December 2021, the story was much longer in the making, Krista said. "This was a 20-year project for me," she remarked. "When God wants something to happen, He makes it happen in His time."

Krista's original story wasn't religious, although it was full of positive messages. Over the years, she kept coming back to the draft, tweaking and changing it. Teaching 4-year-olds at her church, St. Peter Catholic Church in Elizabethtown, helped Krista change the scope of her story. "God helped me to develop this story," she stated. "Everything in my story, God helped me to write."

During the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Krista reached out to Caracyn Publishing, a Grantville-based publisher, about her story. The finished product, illustrated by Nancy Landis, is a book that features multiple themes. "One of the themes is from 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 'pray without ceasing,'" said Krista, who works as a purchasing agent for G.E. Richards Graphic Supplies in Landisville. "My job is stressful, and I pray my way through my day. My book shows kids how easy it is in every moment of the day to talk to God. My inchworm talks to God and includes God in his day."

Another theme in the book comes from Isaiah 6:3, "The whole earth is full of His glory," and the book also stresses the importance of loving your enemies and talking to others about God. The story also teaches a lesson about the power of God. "Who would think a bluebird and an inchworm would become friends?" Krista said. "But with God, anything is possible."

Krista included three songs she wrote the lyrics for in the book as well as activity pages and facts about inchworms and dandelions. On her website, http://www.kristasnyderbooks.com, readers may download several lesson plans she wrote that are connected to the book as well.

When she's not writing, Krista enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Buffy. A portion of the proceeds of each book sold will benefit Brittany's Hope, an Elizabethtown-based organization that supports adoption of children with special needs.

Krista said she has ideas for more books, and she'd love to turn Basil's story into a series. She hopes that anyone who picks up "Basil's Blessings" will read it and come away with a renewed relationship with God. "I truly believe if a child learns to talk to God when he or she is young, they will turn into an amazing individual when they grow up," she said.

"Basil's Blessings: My Special Day With God" is available for purchase at Trellis Marketplace, 153 E. High St., Elizabethtown; Vintage & Co., 3545 Marietta Ave., Lancaster; Weinhold Chiropractic, 535 Farmview Lane, Mount Joy; and http://www.kristasnyderbooks.com. Krista will sell and sign copies of her book at an Art, Craft and Yard Sale at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry St., Columbia, on Saturday, June 3.