Why has a professor of church history started to write children’s stories?
Michael Haykin is author of our newly released children’s series: The Siamese Kittens, which are illustrated by Chris Iliff and have been described by prominent blogger Korrie Johnson at Good Book Mom as ‘an adorable delight for newly independent readers’. Born in England of Irish & Kurdish parents, Michael serves as professor of church history & biblical spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
10ofThose: Hi Michael, it’s great to talk to you about your new series of children’s books.
MH: Thanks for having me.
10: I think the question on everyone’s lips is: as a professor of church history and biblical spirituality, why did you decide to start writing children’s books?
MH: Well, it started during Covid. I was in Canada with lots of time to write, and I realised that there was a side to my life that I have kept in the background for many years.
10: A hidden side of yourself?
MH: Yes, the side of being a teller of tales. Obviously, I am a historian and so have always been involved in narrative in some fashion – in fact, I see being a historian much like being an artist or artisan – but it was these Siamese Kitten stories that allowed me to give full vent to it.
I have often wanted to write some fiction but I always struggled with how to go about it (I first tried some forty years ago when I first became a Christian—a Lewisian/Tolkienian take-off—but never finished it).
10: And what are your books exactly?
They're three simple stories about the adventures of Siamese Kittens: Java, Ko-Ko and Siam when they join the Quinn household in Ireland. The teacher in me couldn’t help but include a didactic element in the trilogy, though it’s not as explicit as some might want.
10: Yes, I’m curious about your approach to Christian fiction. People do it in lots of different ways, and you describe yours as subtly didactic?
MH: Yes, I don’t include any explicit mentions of God. Instead, I use the wonder and majesty of the world to draw out his attributes. The stories are just simple stories, but the Bible verse at the end may trigger a spiritual reflection for a young reader. For example, the Breadcrumbs book points to God’s provision, the Snow Leopard book his awesomeness and the Christmas Hedgehog book his welcome. Those messages are implicitly woven throughout.
"I use the wonder and majesty of the world to draw out God's attributes. The stories are just simple stories, but the Bible verse at the end may trigger a spiritual reflection for a young reader."
I knew that by choosing this approach there would be some who would disagree with it. But, to be honest, I think this is an excellent way of talking about God with children.
10: Where did this view come from?
MH: I’ve actually taken a lot from my exposure to the catholicity of the church in history. I’ve taken note of the way that traditions other than my own evangelical tradition (which can be narrow in its appreciation of the world) have appreciated and savoured life in Christ.
10: I have to ask – why Siamese cats?
MH: I love them. My wife Alison and I have had Siamese cats now for about 25 years and they are remarkable animals, very intelligent. One of our three can play catch.
10: A catch-playing cat!
MH: Yes, he’s much like a dog in the way he pays attention to us. Many of their antics inspired the stories in these books.
10: Out of your fictional kittens Java, Ko-ko and Siam, do you have a favourite?
MH: I love them all!
10: And what do you hope readers will gain from your three tales?
MH: Firstly, I hope any five to eight-year-old who picks up my books will enjoy themselves. That’s my main goal in writing. But one thing I love about my books is that they can be good at helping parents talk about God to their children in a very natural way.
