Danbury Catholic teacher writes children's book about prayer

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

A Danbury Catholic schoolteacher recently released a children’s book designed to help young ones not only pray but build excitement for reading.

Prayer Everyone, Anywhere is the name of the book penned by Cameron Brenner. The target age group is for children in preschool through second grade.

“When I was a young reader myself, as a first grader, I struggled with reading and I wanted to send out the message that prayer is for everyone, anywhere at a young age,” she said. “I felt that if I designed a book that would be good for early learners and early readers that it would help them - not only incorporate that message but develop their reading skills.”

Brenner mentioned she wrote the book last March and after submitting the manuscript, a week later she received confirmation through Christian Faith Publishing that her book would be published.
This is Brenner’s second year teaching at Danbury Catholic. She is the fifth- and sixth-grade teacher and this year music was added to her charge.

Born and raised in Mapleton, a cradle Catholic who attended St. Mary Church, she mentioned the book could be relevant to all Christians but it does have a special Catholic focus.

“I do use rhymes throughout the book and one of the rhymes includes Mass,” said Brenner.

The Danbury Catholic teacher incorporated rhyming because she not only thought it would be fun but she thought it would help early learners.

“I've learned as an educator that when they develop their fluency and phonics skills, when you tend to rhyme words, it helps them understand and learn how to decode more fluently,” she said.
The author pointed out she had volunteered as a catechist while a college student in Ames. 

During those classes, she realized that many “kiddos thought that prayer was only for the classroom,” while in church or other specific times. That is what gave her the idea to focus on “everyone, anywhere.”

The book was illustrated by an artist arranged through Christian Faith Publishing based on Brenner’s vision and concept. The illustrator wishes to remain anonymous.

While the 40-page came together fairly quickly for her, she noted she has always wanted to be a writer and thought it would be a great side job to teaching. However, teaching was not always on her radar.

It was the previous principal at Danbury Catholic, Deidre Drees, and Father Bill McCarthy who had approached Brenner about teaching at the school. Brenner’s undergraduate degree is in psychology and knowing she was going to seek a master’s degree; they spoke to her about seeking a Master of Arts in teaching to be able to work at the school.

Cameron Brenner's fifth- and sixth-grade students at Danbury Catholic partner with younger students to read her book.

Having received so much support from them, Brenner dedicated Prayer Everyone, Anywhere to Drees, Father McCarthy, Danbury Catholic School and her fifth and sixth grade class.
“I have absolutely love working at Danbury Catholic and getting to know the families and navigating working as an educator,” said Brenner, who believes the Holy Spirit had a hand in switching her career path to teaching. “I am extremely grateful for what I’m going to call my vocation.”

Prayer Everyone, Anywhere is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble as well as BAM Books a Million. The book is available as hardcover, paperback and as an audiobook.

“I’ll be very excited to see where the book goes and where God would like it to spread,” she said.

This book will not be her last; it’s the start of what the author hopes will be many. She is presently working on a novel for the fifth- and sixth-grade age group. Brenner is hopeful to submit that manuscript by this August.