Blanka Ježková is editor-in-chief of Hisland, a children’s publishing house she founded in 2020. She sees children’s ministry and inviting children’s participation in creating content as essential. This story is part of the Journeys in Christian Publishing: Stories from LittWorld series.
In what ways have books played a part in your faith and in your spiritual growth?
Art means a lot to me, and that’s why I want the things that present God to be really nice. I think that God deserves it. We should do our best. Books themselves are very important for me because of that special feature that while you’re reading, you spend time. Even the gaps which you have in between reading are good for self-reflection, which is really beautiful and can help you to absorb the topic. Books have definitely played an important part in my life.
Please tell us about your ministry.
I started a children’s publishing house called Hisland. I am convinced that children’s ministry is essential for churches and society in general. Hisland’s vision is to present Christ to children of the Czech Republic in an understandable way as Someone worth living for. We create books for children, and we are also trying to think beyond books. Hisland is HIS land. I need to do everything I can to be in a place where God can move this ministry forward.
One challenge I see in our local churches is low attendance and low ministry engagement, and one of the things we do is conduct workshops and seminars. For me, Hisland is a platform where teachers and parents can go and get inspiration. It’s also a place for artists and creative people, so that they have somewhere to go where they can use their skills to glorify God, which I think is missing in the Czech Republic right now.
Are there any books or products that you’re particularly excited about at the moment?
We have four books so far, WiFi to Heaven, Survival, Flashlight and A Speck of Dust. Survival is for boys, and WiFi to Heaven is an activity book for girls. Flashlight, or The Torch, is a book for small children. It’s very interactive. You have plastic foil, and you put it on the page, and some illustrations disappear, and some stand out…You must come and see it! A Speck of Dust comes with a free downloadable family board game.
I collaborated on these books with my oldest daughter, who is 21. That’s one of the elements I like about our production the most: the participation of children, and that generation in general. I think that it’s important that children’s programs can be created by children or by younger generations. They know what’s “in” and how to engage the audience.
What are some things the Lord has taught you in your publishing journey so far?
Definitely the first one is that ministry is not a boring thing! As I started Hisland, I see all these adventures that are coming and happening. It’s so challenging, it’s an adventure—and I would say a ride—with God.
The other thing I’m still learning is not to be afraid to ask for help. We do not have the ability to cover everything, so we should be brave enough to share it and say, “I really need this, I’m not able to do this.”
And third, being patient because God’s timing is different. This is a challenge for me.
In what ways have you been blessed by MAI’s ministry?
MAI is really a blessing and helped me so much. This is my second LittWorld, and I came to Hungary in 2022. Before that, I was two years along in my ministry, really the only one. And then I came to LittWorld and I met a person who asked me and invited me to join his publishing house, which was huge for me. It was a game changer.
I’m able to share my vision, people are looking at our books, and licensing our books – it actually was sold through LittWorld as well – so that’s a really big encouragement.
Definitely for me MAI is like a family. There are people who I can really be in touch with, and I am using the training and webinars. It’s so nice to see people and their faces actually here in the person. And I’m looking forward to the next one!
How can we pray for you?
I need wisdom, because publishing is still very challenging. There are so many things you could do, people you can partner with. I’m praying that I really keep the direction that God wants me to do in the Czech Republic… It’s difficult, but it’s cool that God is in control.
