Why ‘Ivie’s Journey Home’ Deserves a Place in Your Home

Pistis Group’s debut picture book, released under our children’s imprint PistisKIDZ, is authored by Faith Enogieru and illustrated by Alina Shabelnyk, will delight readers of all ages

I’ve always wanted to write a story about my life. But despite this authorial dream, I was plagued by doubt and fear. Many around me saw my potential as an author, but I often dismissed their encouragement as mere flattery. Writing a book was just too daunting for me!

While working at Harper Collins, I gained invaluable publishing experience that inspired me and pushed me towards authorship. Yet, God had different plans for me. During the pandemic, the entire world was reassessing life and purpose; I re-evaluated my role at Harper Collins as well. An unexpected encounter changed the course of my life.

I found myself in a challenging interaction with a renowned author. This encounter, though initially unfortunate, ended with an unexpected twist. During our dispute, the author imparted advice on writing books that had contributed to their success.

This seasoned writer recognized a potential in me that I had not seen in myself, which propelled me forward.

I delved deep into my soul. That time of introspection led me to develop what has become, Ivie’s Journey Home. I’d love to share a little about it.

The Importance of Family

My traditional Nigerian Christian home superbly modeled the concept of family for me. My family is large. My grandmother’s nine children—my aunts and uncles—consistently demonstrated their mutual love and support. This close-knit family has deeply influenced my perspective on life.

Because this strong foundation of family has been a cornerstone in my life, I knew I needed my book to hinge on that kind of love.

The story, which follows Ivie, a young Nigerian girl, focuses heavily on familial love. Ivie’s life in Lagos is one of simple pleasures and intense beauty. She lives with her Uncle Smart, but longs to be reunited with her mother and father.

Through the course of the book, she learns a great deal about the support and unconditional love that makes a family work.

The Difficulty and Beauty of Change

Like many people, I find the complexities of change both daunting and exhilarating. Change demands faith in God, yes, but also a heightened awareness of God’s faithfulness to us.

In my own life, a myriad of changes have brought challenges and lessons.

One significant shift has been authoring this book. Navigating the intricate and often unpredictable waters of writing and publishing has tested my resolve, creativity, and faith. But as a result, I’ve experienced a whole new world of expression and connection.

Each change proves that relying on God is essential. Through that lens, I view change not as a challenge, but as an opportunity for growth and deeper faith. Ultimately, change is a necessary component of growth, and I couldn’t wait to weave that into my book.

As you read Ivie’s story, you will see that she is no stranger to difficult change and unexpected disappointments. With the help of her loving family, she must learn to navigate those trials without losing hope. Through the book, Ivie grows and begins to understand that change, while sometimes scary, can also lead to wonderful things.

The Resiliency of Hope

We all face challenging situations and periods of adversity. For me the pandemic was a time of career obstacles and discerning God’s calling. Such moments present a critical choice: to lean on God for strength or to let resentment grow.

The decisions we make in hard times determine who we really are. Relying on God’s grace and mercy is the only way to learn the true essence of resilience and hope.

Hope, I’ve realized, is not just a fleeting emotion but a conscious decision to persevere. My faith, as well as the support of my family and friends, gives me strength and fills my heart with God’s peace.

This journey of discovering hope during hardship has deeply influenced the character of Ivie in ‘Ivie’s Journey Home.‘ Ivie, like me, faces moments where despair seems overwhelming. Yet, it is her faith in God that enables her to pull through. Throughout her story, Ivie develops a resilience that is rooted in a deep, enduring hope.

Join the Journey with Me

Publishing a book has been a huge endeavor. While the road has been winding and, at times, tumultuous, the lessons I’ve learned along the way have been invaluable. The best part, though, is knowing that families who read the book will have the chance to learn some of those lessons through Ivie’s experiences. This journey is not just mine; it’s something we can all be part of. I’d love to have you with us.