One of my favorite movies when I was a child was The Wizard of Oz. To me it was magic. In my very own pair of red ruby slippers, I would dance around the house singing, “We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.” I would hide under the blankets for safety when the flying monkeys took flight and I would stare in amazement as the four travelers found out who was actually behind the curtain. Isn’t it funny how we still want to know who’s behind the curtain?

Especially when dealing with children’s products, we want to know who it is creating, producing, manufacturing and marketing these products. Today we’re going to take a peek behind the curtain to meet the brains of the operation, the wizards of the Land of Tommy. I can say in full confidence that the people behind the curtain here at Tommy are some of the best in the land! I have learned so much for this crew as I came in as an intern and now work beside them every day. So without further ado, let me introduce…

Laura Minchew

When it comes to Children’s publishing, we think this woman is the queen. Laura has been working in inspirational children’s publishing for over 23 years and has been an integral part of launching the International Children’s Bible, WordKids and now Tommy Nelson. Laura was drawn to children’s books because, “more than any other genre, children’s books allow for creativity, dreams and promote a sense of wonder.”

• Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas- which I affectionately refer to as “God’s Country.”
• Favorite Kids Book: I’ve been blessed to work with amazing authors on truly life-changing books for kids. I love each and every one of our children’s books! My favorite books that I have not published are Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, and Koala Lou by Mem Fox.
• Favorite Kids Movie: The Princess Bride
• Favorite Vacation spot: Navarre Beach, Florida
• Do you have kids? Ages? 2 awesome kids – Kate (junior in college) and Grant (just started his freshman year)
• Where did you meet your spouse? We met at college, but didn’t get to know each other well. After we graduated, we met again at church in Fort Worth, Texas. That time it stuck. 26 years so far!
• If you could be a character from a kids book or movie, who would you be? I love the Precocious Lily, from Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse.
• Tell us about your greatest adventure! While vacationing in Mexico, my husband and I met students from an animal conservation group and went with them on an unforgettable adventure to save giant sea turtles. We met at 11 p.m., piled in the back of a pickup and went around the beaches of Cozumel saving giant sea turtles from poachers. It was dangerous and worthwhile and unforgettable.
• What’s one piece of advice your mom gave you that you never forgot? You have to be able to laugh at yourself. A good sense of humor is essential for a happy life.
• What kid-food do you still love to eat? CANDY!!!
• What’s your favorite story in the Bible? I love the story of Jesus’ resurrection! It is the basis of our hope and the possibility of our future.
• What’s your favorite verse in the Bible? I love Psalm 139

Laura does not have twitter and is dead set on never sending a tweet in her life despite our pleas, although we may be able to talk her into a guest blog! We will be circulating a petition shortly to get Laura on twitter.

Dan Lynch

Long title I know, but around here he’s known as part of the Toy Boys or DVD Dan. Dan joined the Tommy Nelson team as Vice President of Marketing in 1996 shortly after the launch of the division. Dan’s passion for reaching children and youth with the Gospel dates back to years spent as a youth director and CCM concert promoter and is something he continues to fulfill by working with the authors and brands at Tommy. “We’re always looking for new ways to reach children through great books, DVDs, and other products. This allows us to achieve our mission of inspiring kids.”

• Hometown: Amarillo, TX
• Favorite Kids Book: Uncle Wiggly
• Favorite Kids Movie: The Jungle Book
• Favorite Vacation spot: Disney World/Universal Studios
• Do you have kids? Ages? Yes. 16, 19 and 22
• Where did you meet your spouse? High School in Choir Class
• If you could be a character from a kids book or movie, who would you be? Santa Claus
• Tell us about your greatest adventure! I’m a bit of a rock hound and also facet gemstones as a hobby. While I don’t have one “greatest adventure” I love getting out with my daughter Sarah and digging for minerals, gemstones, etc. We’ve been across the country collecting quartz crystals, fire opal, tourmaline, sapphires, Sunstones and more.
• What kid-food do you still love to eat? Weinerschnitzel Chili Cheese Dogs! I think this may have been my first solid food!
• What’s your favorite story in the Bible? Jesus raising Lazarus from the Dead. Can’t you just imagine the expressions on those around?
• What’s your favorite verse in the Bible? Genesis 1 – In the Beginning God

Follow Dan on twitter and check out his new blog!

AnnJanette Toth

If you know about Tommy Nelson, it’s probably because of AnnJanette. She is a Marketing Whiz and a Multi-tasking Master. She hardly sits down, so getting her to answer these questions was quite a challenge. It’s always worth it though, to get to pick AnnJanette’s brain, for her ideas are always bigger and better than you’d have imagined. Here she is . . .

• Hometown: Saginaw, MI
• Favorite Kids Book: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss when I was little and then when I was in grade school, I loved the Little House on the Prairie books.
• Favorite Kids Movie: The Neverending Story
• Favorite Vacation spot: The Caribbean
• Where did you meet your spouse? At a concert in Nashville, TN
• What kid-food do you still love to eat? Strawberry Fruit Roll ups!
• What’s your favorite story in the Bible? Esther
• What’s your favorite verse in the Bible? II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!”

Follow AnnJanette on twitter and check out her new blog

This blog was written by Tommy Nelson Children’s Publicist Jacklyn Johnston.