🌊✨A New Children’s Book Project by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan 🌊✨
I’m beyond excited to share a mock cover reveal for my upcoming children’s book, The Hidden Cove! 🥳📖 This story is very special to me, and I can’t wait for you all to meet Marvin the Manatee—a gentle, curious soul who embarks on a journey of purpose, faith, and discovery.
Marvin’s story is special to me because of the loving gift that Sydney crafted for me. In January, she so lovingly painted a beautiful image of Marvin for me as a birthday gift, and that painting became the very inspiration for this story. As I looked at Marvin’s gentle expression in her artwork, I began to personify his journey—his isolation, longing, and ultimate call to leadership. This story grew from that moment, and I am honored that a dear student of mine has contributed such a meaningful and artistic spark to what has now become The Hidden Cove.
Meet Marvin 🦦💙
Marvin is unlike the other manatees in his estuary. While the others stay in large groups, Marvin often drifts alone, wondering why he feels set apart. He doesn’t understand his solitude until one day, in a hidden cove, he hears a gentle, loving voice speaking to his heart.
His Creator tells him that he has a special purpose—one that requires him to trust, listen, and grow in ways he never expected. As he learns to embrace the quiet and follow his Creator’s guidance, Marvin soon finds himself in a position to help the very manatees he once longed to be close to.
When a sudden storm leaves the other manatees lost and afraid, Marvin’s time of solitude proves to be his greatest strength. He leads them to safety using paths he discovered in his season of waiting. It’s in that moment he realizes that what once felt like loneliness was actually preparation—he was never alone.
A New Collaboration! 🎨✨
This project has been such a joy to write, and I am so grateful to be pitching the project to a fantastic local illustrator, Sydney Kinsey, my generous, gifted student! I am eagerly awaiting her decision and creative input, and I can’t wait to see what she will bring Marvin’s world to life with her beautiful artwork. Stay tuned for updates!
💙📖Biblical Themes & Scriptural Connections 📖💙
1. God Has a Purpose for Us
🔹 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
💬 Like Marvin, we may not always understand why we feel different or set apart, but God has already prepared a purpose for us!
2. Seasons of Waiting Are for Growth
🔹 “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
🔹 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
💬 Marvin’s time alone in the cove is not wasted—it is a season of learning, trusting, and growing stronger before he is called to lead.
3. God Speaks to Us in the Quiet Places
🔹 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
🔹 “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore through the mountains… but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
💬 Marvin hears his Creator’s voice in the quietness of the cove, just as Elijah experienced God in a gentle whisper.
4. Leadership Comes from Servanthood
🔹 “The greatest among you will be your servant.” — Matthew 23:11 (NIV)
🔹 “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Mark 10:43 (NIV)
💬 Marvin learns that true leadership isn’t about being at the front—it’s about helping others in their time of need, just as Jesus taught His disciples.
5. God Uses the Least Expected to Do Great Things
🔹 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV)
💬 Marvin, who once felt overlooked, is the one chosen to lead his fellow manatees to safety. God often calls those who feel small to do mighty things!
How This Relates to Marvin’s Story
✅ Marvin’s time of solitude = Preparation & Trusting God’s Timing
✅ Marvin’s hidden cove = A Sacred Place of Learning & Listening
✅ Marvin’s leadership during the storm = God Calls Us to Step Into Our Purpose
✅ The Creator’s voice to Marvin = God’s Personal Love & Guidance
A Prayer for This Project 🙏
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the inspiration behind The Hidden Cove and for guiding this project from its very beginning. I ask for Your continued wisdom and direction as I complete this story. May Your hand be upon every word, every illustration, and every page, ensuring that it reflects Your love, purpose, and truth.
Lord, I lift up every child who will read this book. May Marvin’s journey speak to their hearts, teaching them that even in seasons of solitude, they are never alone. Let them see Your presence in their lives and trust in the plans You have for them. May this book plant seeds of faith, hope, and confidence in Your love.
I also ask a special blessing over Sydney Kinsey as she considers this project. Lord, give her creativity, peace, and joy in her artistic process as she continues to learn, to grow, and to develop her God given talents. May we bring this story to life in a way that glorifies You and speaks to young hearts.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙌
Thank you all for your support and encouragement—I can’t wait to share The Hidden Cove with you! 💙🐋
What do you think of the cover? Let me know in the comments!
📚 #TheHiddenCove #ChildrensBooks #ChristianFiction #NewBook #FaithJourney #MarvinTheManatee #ComingSoon
The Aging English Major 