Happy New Year! Have you ever read a book, and there is a quote that stands out to you? It really captivates you with the words on it!

I have to tell you about this book I read back in 2025. It was in the summer where I had taken a sabbatical after my dad passed away, and I had gotten this book from a friend called *The Well Watered Woman. At the beginning of the book, after a couple pages, this is what is says, "You don't have to be blooming to be growing." I immediately paused and thought, Oh my goodness, I needed to hear that today. Maybe you need to hear it too.

This week on the podcast, I will share some of my favorite truths from this book, *The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles. The book has so many great takeaways and words of wisdom that I know will encourage you as you start this new year, 2026. If you are looking for a great book to read too, I highly recommend this one.

Depth Podcast Episode links and Book Recommendations to Grow your Roots Deep:

• *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon. What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth?
• *Thrive by Mark Hall
• Depth Podcast Episode 114: I talk with Banning Liebscher about his book, *Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Wants to Develop You. He says that God wants to grow you on the inside before he ever grows you on the outside. This hidden growth is so important.
• Depth Podcast Episode 115: I share practically how to grow deeper roots!
• Depth Podcast Episode 210 with Angie Baughman on the 5 Step Bible Study Method.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Did you grow up in a house that talked about their emotions? Are you talking with your kids about their emotions? Emotional Literacy is so important, and I am so passionate about giving tools to others to help them in their parenting.

Last week, I shared 5 books that I read with my kids that helped them grow deeper in their faith (Depth Podcast Episode 244). This week, I want to share 5 books that I did not have when my kids were young; they had not been written yet. They are all about emotional literacy, and they are phenomenal. I cannot wait to share them with you, and I hope you will add them to your library at home.

1. Any Day Emotions by Debra Fileta

2. *What Am I Feeling by Dr. Josh & Christi Straub

3. *God, I Feel Sad by Michelle Nietert & Tama Fortner

Note: In the Series, they also have *God, I Feel Scared.

4. *Managing Your Emojis by Michelle Nietert & Lynn Cowell

To hear more about this amazing book, check out my interview with Michelle back in 2023. Link to Depth Podcast Episode 180

5. *The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Lastly, I teach an emotional literacy tool when I speak to mom's groups that I would love to share with you. Check out my post titled: How to Help Your Children Name Their Feelings?

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you like to read to your kids or grandkids? Do you like to find Christian books with strong messages in them? Maybe it is about their identity in Christ? Maybe it is about worry and anxiety because I know that is a struggle for so many kids? Or maybe it is about helping them walk through hard circumstances?

I am so excited to share with you five of my favorite children's books that I read with my own kids! These books all have strong Christian themes and will help your kids grow deeper in their faith. This is actually Part 1 of a two-part episode, so I cannot wait to give you some great children's book recommendations for the Holidays.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Max Lucado's book: *You Are Special. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/m2d8v73/you-are-special-book-giveaway

I go into detail about each book on the episode, but I wanted to share a quick list of them below!

1. *You Are Special by Max Lucado

2. *Your Special Gift by Max Lucado

3. *It Will Be Okay by Lysa Terkeurst

4. *Win or Lose I Love You! by Lysa Terkeurst

5. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!