I See An Elephant Trunk.

What Do You See?

Ever since I started doing nature photography at the age of 16, I’ve wanted to publish a book of my photos. I resisted doing this for 50 years.

Recently I showed one of my photos of a fern to my five-year-old granddaughter and she said “It looks like an elephant trunk.”

And I thought “Children can enjoy quality nature photography too.”

I proceeded to go on nature hikes with Paisley and have her tell me what she saw when she looked at little things in nature. I love the photo of lichens where she said “It looks like music.”

I also went for nature walks with other children, who see tiny things in nature I wouldn't have noticed. They, obviously are closer to the ground, so I often get on my knees to see the things they have excitedly found.

This is a book I would have enjoyed reading to my son when he was growing up. That’s what I think about when writing children’s books. I read stories to him every night at bedtime, and still have many of the favorite books. These lifetime books are a blessing and I now enjoy reading them to my grandchildren.

I hope you will enjoy reading this book to children and letting their imagination fly as they tell us things we wouldn’t have imagined ourselves. Then go outside for a nature hike and ask a child “What do you see?” Have fun.

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Arya The Protector is a story of overcoming fear, and how a wonderful sheep dog protects a flock of sheep, much like God protects us as His sheep.

Recommended by the Englewood Book Review as one of the top three children's books of 2020 to help start spiritual conversations.

In the book a grandfather has a discussion with his grandson about fear. The grandfather relates a story about how the sheep on their farm have no fear because of Arya, the shepherd dog. As a co-shepherd on the farm, Arya lives with the sheep and provides a presence that makes the sheep feel secure and protected.

The rich photographs of the farm tell the story about how Arya protects the sheep in all situations and weather conditions. The photographs of Arya growing up from a puppy and as an adult watching over lambs are sure to keep the attention of children.

In the end, the young boy understands he can feel he's living a life of safety and is more confident because God is protecting him, just as Arya protects the sheep. In this time children are experiencing fear because they have had their lives turned upside down. Their school life and social lives have changed. Many family vacations and birthday parties have been cancelled. Burton hopes that Arya The Protector will gently encourage important conversations about God's protection.

I love how simple the story is, and yet how powerful that we can be peaceful like the sheep, because we know God is protecting us, just like Arya. I read this story the other night as I was going to sleep and I felt so peaceful after reading it! Your photos totally make this story come alive.

-Melanie Blake, former church youth worker

God's care becomes concrete and easier to understand thanks to a faithful farm dog's story and Burton Laine's photographs in Arya: The Protector. The simple book is profound and beautiful, and will be a useful conversation starter about how God protects God's children.

-Erin Wasinger, writer, speaker and kid's books advocate

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