Brownlow Gifts’ new “St. Charles Inspirational Plaques,” made of a wooden base topped with a resin stone-like appliqué, feature a meaningful sentiment and ornate carved design.

Inspired by the architectural elements found in St. Charles, Ill., the plaques measure 7 by 7 inches and almost 1 inch thick.

When the idea was first presented to the item development team, there were some concerns about joining two very different materials. But Brownlow recognizes that retailers need to be equipped with creative items that have a strong shelf presence.

Angel Train

Gilbert Morris

B&H Books (B&H Publishing Group)

softcover, 336 pages, $14.99

978-0-805-44729-3

Angel Train tells the story of Charity Morgan, who lives with her father and sisters in a small Pennsylvania coal-mining town in the mid-1800s. Here, she and her family are part of a religious group called the Pilgrim Way, a very simplistic and Puritan-type people who are very committed to God and to one another.

After her own experience with cancer, artist and video producer Nancy Hamilton Myers decided to gather stories from others who, like her, had faced the disease, anchored by their Christian faith.

Among those who spoke about their experiences were a NASA space engineer, a sports champion, successful career men and women, parents, children and homemakers, moms and dads.

A simple sermon illustration that became an Internet sensation long before the YouTube era, touching countless lives around the world, is being offered in enhanced format to mark its 10th anniversary.

Released last month, the special DVD and CD set of Father’s Love Letter (6-22306-01559-7, $18.99, Father Heart Communications), subtitled “An Intimate Message From God to You,” is a selection of paraphrased Bible verses in the form of a love letter.

A fairytale-like story of selfish royalty aims to teach children about generosity in The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts of Christmas (978-1-593-17378-4, $15.99, Warner Press), releasing Aug. 3.

Based on Acts 20:35, the new hardcover storybook by Jennie Bishop—author of the best-selling The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity and The Squire and the Scroll: A Tale of the Rewards of a Pure Heart (both Warner Press)—illustrates the importance of giving.

A retired teacher and homeschooling mother, Donita K. Paul returns to familiar ground on her mission to provide family-friendly fiction to young readers.

The Vanishing Sculptor (978-1-400-07339-9, $13.99) takes place in the same world as Paul’s popular “DragonKeeper Chronicles” series, but the main characters live on a different continent.

The “DragonKeeper Chronicles” series (WaterBrook Press) has sold more than a quarter-million copies since the first of its five installments was released in 2004.