Why I Wrote The Little Jesus Mission (And What It Has to Do with a Tiny Figurine)

If you've followed The Mouse in the Hammock for any time at all, you know the whole point of these books is simple: put a little more Jesus into the everyday moments of childhood — a "Pop of Jesus," as my husband Josh and I say. A little more kindness at Christmas. A little more forgiveness at Easter. A little more gratitude at Thanksgiving.

But Mouse is seasonal. He shows up for the holidays, does his thing, and then goes back to his hammock until the next one rolls around.

I kept thinking — what about the other 300 days of the year?

That question is what became The Little Jesus Mission.

How the Idea Was Born

I didn't come up with the concept of hiding little Jesus figurines — I started noticing them everywhere. In stores, in unexpected places, quietly tucked where someone would find them and smile. I kept thinking: there needs to be a book that goes with this. A story that helps children understand what the little Jesus is about and how they can participate.

So I wrote one.

The little girl in the story is actually me — or at least, that's how our illustrator Marcin Piwowarski drew her. And the family dog? That's Maggie. If you look at the book jacket, the "About the Author" illustration is me and Maggie, drawn in Marcin's signature style. It made the whole thing feel personal in a way I hadn't expected.

The Idea Behind the Book

The story follows a little girl on a very specific mission: to hide a tiny Jesus figure somewhere — quietly, secretly — wherever she goes. At school. At the grocery store. At a neighbor's house. Each little placement is an act of faith. A reminder. A tiny spark of love left behind.

It's a hide-and-seek story at heart, but underneath there's a bigger message: that even the smallest hands can do something meaningful for Jesus. That faith doesn't wait until you're grown up. That you don't have to be a missionary or a pastor or even a particularly brave person to share God's love. You just have to be willing to leave a little of it behind wherever you go.

Hide a little Jesus here, hide a little Jesus there — a tiny act of kindness shows just how much you care.

Why This One Feels Different

I've written five Mouse books, and this sixth title feels different because it's connected to something real happening right now in the world. Every copy of The Little Jesus Mission sold supports an incredible mission organization — and a family I trust completely. I only tie my name to organizations I can look my readers in the eye about. That matters to me more than anything else.

The same way Mouse has always pointed back to the Haiti orphanage we've supported for years, this book has a heartbeat behind it. Real people. A real mission. Your purchase does something.

What's Coming Next

The paperback is available now on Amazon — illustrated by the brilliant Marcin Piwowarski, the same artist behind every Mouse book. But this is just the beginning.

This summer we're launching the hardback edition bundled with our own miniature Jesus figurines. It turns the book into an experience — a tradition your family can actually live out, not just read about. In the meantime, you can find Jesus figurines on Amazon to get started. A free printable activity book with mini Jesuses to color, cut, and share is also coming soon — I'll announce it here when it's ready.

And one more thing: The Mouse in the Hammock: A Birthday Tale is coming later this summer 2026. More on that soon.

If you've ever wanted a Christian children's book that works any time of year, for any age from 3 to 8, and gives kids something to do with their faith — this is it.

The Little Jesus Mission is available now in paperback on Amazon. Subscribe below to be the first to hear about the hardback bundle, the activity book, and the Birthday Tale.