Simonetta Carr's Blog

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Cleopatra is certainly an odd presence in my list of book titles. Normally, I have been writing about great men and women of the Christian church. So, why Cleopatra? It all goes back to the beginning of 2016. Having thoroughly enjoyed writing about Michelangelo for Chicago Review Press, I decided to embark on a new

I am now writing a new column, “Cloud of Witnesses,” at Place For Truth (A Voice of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals). It will be a place to explore our Christian past and the people who lived it. This year, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, I […]

Here are some letters from students at Logos School, Surabaya, Indonesia. I will rewrite the third one because the print is small: “Dear Mrs. Simonetta Carr, my name is Eileen. I am a student in Logos school in Grade 3 in this year 2016. I was born in December 21st, 2006. […]

In my recent article on Challies, I paraphased some comments from Cia Ming Cu, one of the editors at Momentum Christian Literature, about the popularity of my books in Indonesia. I have decided to include his full letter here, with his permission: It was in 2008 that we at Momentum Christian […]

During a Podcast interview with Mortification of Spin, Carl Trueman surprised me with the question: “Why should we teach our children to appreciate art and beauty?” I was surprised because I always considered the answer obvious. Art and beauty are are so incredibly uplifting (sometimes troubling but always moving) that it seems only […]

  Published in Modern Reformation, Vol. 23, N. 4, July-August 2014, posted with permission. (See also White Horse Inn WHI-1213)   We all have days we will never forget. On top of my list is the day when my 19-year old son Jonathan revealed a new perception of reality. He had […]

  In a recent visit to a local public school, I was able to teach a class of eight-graders some lesser known aspects of Michelangelo’s life, such as his poetry and his sense of humor. We also discussed Michelangelo’s ability to wear many hats as architect, sculptor, building contractor, accountant, and art […]

I met Nancy Sanders, a talented children’s author, two years ago, through the popular 32 Authors Online Scavenger Hunt. We have since become friends and she has been a source of advice and even comfort in the difficult times of my life. At that time, I noticed she had written several […]

I met Nancy Sanders, a talented children’s author, two years ago, through the popular 32 Authors Online Scavenger Hunt. We have since become friends and she has been a source of advice and even comfort in the difficult times of my life. At that time, I noticed she had written several interesting books for Chicago Review Press. Two titles were for their “For Kids” series of biographies, whose format seemed very similar to that of my Christian Biographies for Young Readers. 

I contacted the editors to see if they were interested in a title. Originally, I wanted to write a book on the Protestant Reformation, in view of the 2017 anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses. They didn’t accept my proposal, but told me they had been looking for someone willing to write a book on Michelangelo.


Immediately, I saw many advantages in writing such a book. Michelangelo was Italian (so I could read his original writings), he lived during a time period I have researched in depth, and his works have an amazing depth that can enrich the lives of children. Also, I had a burning desire to present the Protestant Reformation and Roman Catholic response with clarity and accuracy.

On the other hand, I had to take many factors into consideration. First of all, art books require many images which are normally very expensive. Second, I have normally been writing for Christian families who may in some cases object to images of God and Christ, or to images of the naked body (like the David). On the other hand, you can’t talk about Michelangelo without showing those images.

I sought counsel from my pastors (Rev. Michael Brown and Dr. Rev. Michael Horton), who encouraged me to pursue this project, especially since it practically fell on my lap. You can’t teach children art history without incurring in images of God and Christ, or occasional nudes. Parents can avoid this subject altogether, or use judgment and wisdom in guiding the children in this field of learning.

Overall, I think this book will be useful to many children and families.