Lions Park in Waco, Texas circa Summer 2013

Her son’s Soccer Senior Recognition Day. Dad was head coach, Molly goalie coach, and sister on the girls team!

Short Bio

Molly Frye Wilmington creates unique picture books using humor, animals, and suspense to explore more complex ideas of courage, faith, suffering, and love. Molly studied English and children’s literature at Baylor, ethics at Notre Dame’s Vita Institute, and theology at Duke. Originally from Texas, Molly now lives in Montana with her husband, David who is a theologian and musician, their two children, Luke and Anna Grace, Oliver the shepherd-lab, Sadie the Goldendoodle (Oliver's best friend and now adopted sister), and Ranger the bearded dragon. The family enjoys soccer, hiking, music, and cracking up over each other’s clever stories.

More: Montana and Family

After living in Texas and North Carolina, Molly and her family now call Montana home with Yellowstone National Park just a short drive away. Molly and her husband David have two children who also dabble in creative writing. Molly’s favorite memories include her son cackling about his stories of Sir Oblivious, Flergle Plop, or Rocket-Powered Submarines, and her daughter spinning the tale of Sir Pupsalot of the Ground Beef Table (also known as Oliver and Sir Prancelot) and his continuing battle with the tyrannical squirrel, Mr. Nutsobrain. The family also includes Oliver, a Shepherd-Lab, and Ranger, a Bearded Dragon.

Education and Experience

Molly works for a Christian non-profit and previously spent 22 years in the academic world. She studied English at Baylor University, Theology at Duke University, and Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame’s Vita Institute. She worked on the staff at Baylor’s Truett Seminary, Honors College, and Business School and Duke’s English Department. She supported her husband David in his Master of Theological Studies at Duke and his Doctorate in Religion at Baylor. She stayed home full or part-time teaching their children for 9 years and volunteers teaching children at church, serving families in need, and coaching kids on the soccer field and basketball court.

Molly still loves playing make believe with children. One night Molly and her daughter watched Disney’s Freaky Friday where the mother and her daughter magically switch bodies for a day. As soon as the movie ended, Molly and her daughter switched bodies, too!

What led to writing children's books?

Working on our cousins’ farm with my older brothers, John, Steve, and Eric, and the farmdog, Josh. It was always fun for us city kids!

I created my first book at the age of ten as a birthday present for my mom. Inside a blank-paged and full-sized bound book, I compiled my poems, illustrations, songs, photographs, and most notably, a short story about Why the Cow Jumped Over the Moon, which takes place at my Cousins Ann’s and Phil’s 80-acre farm in the Hill Country of Texas and will be the setting of my Cookie and Cowbird Go to the Farm.

With the younger cousins.

After years of making up bedtime stories for my younger cousins, Katrina and Chris, I read How to Write a Children’s Book and Get it Published by Barbara Seuling and took a Children’s Literature course at Baylor University. Then, I tested all this knowledge reading to my kids and the kids at church.

Why did you write a biography?

Reading my favorite biography. Our 7-year-old friend emphatically chose this book and pushed the others aside!

Once I started reading to my own children, I discovered the joy of reading children’s biographies, especially ones with humor and stories that appeal to children. When I searched for picture book biographies about two of my favorite leaders Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce, I found none existed. I tried telling my young son and daughter about them but that held their attention for about 30 seconds. All I could do was give an overview of their lives. So I decided to take what I knew about children’s literature, search for interesting stories on Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer, and create fun and engaging books.”

How did you begin writing about Bonhoeffer?

When my friend in the publishing world asked me if I had any children’s books ideas, I thought, “this could be my green light to publish.” So I researched children’s books on William Wilberforce and decided to “throw Bonhoeffer in as well.” I confirmed there were no picture books or early readers about either of them. I also discovered enough interesting and humorous stories about Bonhoeffer but not a single story about Wilberforce. So, I switched to writing on Bonhoeffer. I wove these stories together, pitched my idea, and got a thumbs up to keep going. To fill out my story, I read more of Bonhoeffer’s writings and poured over many adult biographies, including the original by Eberhard Bethge and A Life in Pictures by Renate Bethge and Christian Gremmels. Long story short, and with many family and friends cheering me on, here we are today.

What is your hope for this book?

Jesus the Good Shepherd

I hope children will be encouraged by how Bonhoeffer followed God, loved others, and found courage and peace in the midst of persecution.

My greatest hope is to share about our loving Lord Jesus Christ. The Good Shepherd theme is the heart of this book. Bonhoeffer was like an obedient sheepdog who followed Jesus the Good Shepherd and stood firm against the evil wolf Hitler. Children will remember that our loving Lord Jesus empowers, protects, and calls them to follow Him now on Earth and evermore in Heaven.

Which books/authors influenced your writing style?

Two children’s biographies/writers stand out the most. The more recent one is the bestselling Random House Step Into Reading book, George Washington and the General’s Dog (posted 2 pictures above here) written by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Richard Walz. This biography of Washington's life is centered around his love of animals and the story of the British general’s dog ending up in George Washington's camp. Washington raises the white flag, and the dog is returned to the general. In my book, I first focus on Bonhoffer's love of teaching children and his sense of humor, which most people don't know. And then the rest of the book centers on him becoming a spy and sacrificing his own life for the love of others and for following God.

My other favorite writer/illustrator comes from my childhood, Robert Quackenbush. He is most famous for his accident prone Henry the Duck who lives in a bush, which he wrote so his son would like their last name. He also wrote creative and fun biographies that I discovered later when reading with my children. My favorite is Quit Pulling My Leg: A Story of Davy Crockett, where Davy wears a live raccoon hat while spinning his tall tales. Plus, the two raccoons make wisecracks at the bottom of each illustration. I created my Bonhoeffer book narrator to be like the raccoons. Shep the sheepdog puppy adds humor and keeps the tone light. He also helps the children understand the more complex ideas of suffering, freedom, and courage found in the book. Shep shows how Bonhoeffer was like him, a sheepdog who follows the shepherd, protects the sheep, likes to dig holes to bury important things (like Bonhoffer's letters), and will stand firm and be obedient even unto death.

What else are you writing?

Mom, Can I Have a Monkey?

Anna Grace really wants pets. After years of asking for the usual pets like a dog or bird, Anna Grace surprises her mom when she asks for a monkey! Her mom thinks Anna Grace must know this is ridiculous. So what does her mom say? She looks her straight in the eyes and says, “Anna Grace, if you can ask for a monkey with a straight face, you can have a monkey!”

“Momma’s Little Ladybug”

Experience the wonder of life and growing in the womb! Join the endearing conversation in this 32-page picture book as Momma explains to her daughter how she grew in her belly and keeps growing everyday. The book ends with a good night blessing, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Be at peace and grow well my child.” Sign up for my newsletter to learn more.

Any advice for other writers wanting to get published?

Use the Christians Writers Market Guide, join the Christian Writers Institute led by Steve Laube, President, and follow Thomas Umstattd Jr, CEO of Novel Marketing. Two years ago my friend Kathy Tyers answered my plea for help and pulled the Christian Writers Market Guide from her shelf. Within a year, I had a new agent and a contract with B&H Publishing. Another piece of advice, join a writers group. Kathy started one a month later for several of us fledgling writers. We’ve learned so much from one another and had fun doing it!