Author Q&A: Amish Mom Delilah Byler
Today’s Q-and-A is a bit different from most previous editions, for two reasons. First, the author is Amish mom Delilah Byler. Delilah kindly answered some questions about her book and family for us today.
Second, the book is called Where Are Aldo’s Treasures?, and it is a children’s book.
Delilah created this search-and-find book from her own experience as a mother of eight children. I believe this is the first children’s picture book we’ve featured here.
The concept is simple and fun: Aldo the Owl is the guide and the children’s task is to find the “hidden” objects in the two-page picture spreads.
Thanks to the JPV team for coordinating getting the questions answered with Delilah, since she’s not online.
Q&A with Where Are Aldo’s Treasures Author Delilah Byler
I asked Delilah some questions about this book and her experience below. I hope you enjoy.
Amish America: How did you get the idea for this book?
Delilah Byler: I was always looking for ways to keep my children occupied while I was busy cooking, etc. so I came up with this idea.
I have had a list of page ideas for a long time. Every time I had an idea I would write it down. You should see my list now. 🙂
How did you come up with the character Aldo?
Delilah: The team at my publisher came up with the idea.
How long did it take you to create it? How did it work putting it together with the photos, design, etc.?
Delilah: It took a while, several hours to set up; my daughters helped me. We set everything up on tables the way we wanted each spread to look. Landon, the photographer, took the photos, and the publisher did the rest of the layout.
It worked well putting everything together. We just had a mess to clean up when we were done. The publisher and I are working on the details to do book two.
How many in your family?
We have 8 children. 4 boys and 4 girls. Billy=25, Karen (married to Norman), Rhoda (married to Enos), Marlin (married to Susie), Betty=19, Ruthie=17, David=11, Paul=4. And we have one grandson, Danny, and another grandbaby on the way.
Can you tell us about your background? Are you a full-time mom? Any other jobs or hobbies?
I grew up in PA, moved to NY, and then after we were married about a year we moved to Ohio. I am a full time mom. I love to curl up on the couch and read a good book.
What kind of feedback and response have you gotten about the book?
Everyone thinks it’s really neat. Children spend lots of time looking at it. They can’t wait for the next one.
By your impression is the book more popular with Amish families or non-Amish?
Both equally.
What do you think children like about the book? What about parents?
Children like the challenge. Parents like it because it keeps children occupied and entertained. A bonus is good clean content.
What do you think are the most important lessons parents should teach their children?
Teach them about God, and to be respectful to their elders.
You can get a copy of Where Are Aldo’s Treasures? at JPV Press and other places.
What a blessing
I would love to have this book.
I’d love to have this for my grandchildren.
What a nest giveaway. As a mom I am always happy to find wholesome books for my kids. This one looks like it would be good to use with both independent readers and little ones sitting on a parents lap. Also good for longer trips and times when one has to dig and wait like drs offices or a restaurant. Thanks for the chance to win.
Aldo
My wife and I have visited Amish Country several times and it is so freshing
to see that a childs book combines the realities of life with the nature of God.
Aldo's Treasures Winner
Thanks to all who entered! I just posted the winner here: https://amishamerica.com/where-are-aldos-treasures-winner/
I don’t get how to enter.
Teacher would love this.
I am a 5th Grade teacher at a Tribal School and I think this would give them an insight of another culture.
New book.
Beautiful!