Janette Oke facts for kids

Janette Oke (born February 18, 1935) is a Canadian writer. She writes inspiring stories, often about brave women living in pioneer times. Her first book, Love Comes Softly, came out in 1979. Since then, she has written over 75 books. One of her books, When Calls the Heart, from 1983, inspired the popular TV show of the same name.

About Janette Oke

Janette Steeves was born in Champion, Alberta, Canada. Her parents, Fred and Amy Steeves, were farmers. She grew up during a tough time called the Great Depression.

Janette went to Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta. There, she met Edward Oke, who later became her husband. They have four children: three sons and one daughter. Janette's daughter has even written some books with her mother. Janette Oke is a Christian and has written many books about her faith.

Awards and Recognition

Janette Oke has received several important awards for her writing. In 1992, she won the President's Award. This award was for her big impact on Christian fiction. She also received the CBA Life Impact Award in 1999. She won the Gold Medallion Award for her fiction books too.

Janette Oke's Books

Janette Oke has written many popular book series and standalone novels.

The Love Comes Softly Series

This series is published by Bethany House. It tells stories about love and life in pioneer times.

• Love Comes Softly, 1979
• Love's Enduring Promise, 1980
• Love's Long Journey, 1982
• Love's Abiding Joy, 1983
• Love's Unending Legacy, 1984
• Love's Unfolding Dream, 1987
• Love Takes Wing, 1988
• Love Finds a Home, 1989

These books have also been sold in special box sets. New versions with updated covers were released in 2003 and 2004. Some of these books were made into movies for the Hallmark Channel. These movies starred actors like Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff. The films do not always follow the books exactly.

There are also three prequel books that tell stories from before the main series:

• Love Begins (2011)
• Love's Everlasting Courage (2011)
• Love's Christmas Journey (2012)

A Prairie Legacy Series

This series is also published by Bethany House. It continues the stories from the Love Comes Softly series.

• The Tender Years, 1997
• A Searching Heart, 1998
• A Quiet Strength, 1999
• Like Gold Refined, 2000

Seasons of the Heart Series

This series is published by Bethany House. It is about a young boy named Josh Jones. He tries to find his way in life with his unique family.

• Once Upon a Summer, 1981
• The Winds of Autumn, 1987
• Winter Is Not Forever, 1988
• Spring's Gentle Promise, 1989

New editions of this series with updated covers came out in 2002.

Canadian West Series

This series is published by Bethany House. The first four books focus on the main characters. The last two books came out much later and are about the children in the series. In 2015, all six books were released together as an ebook.

• When Calls the Heart, 1983
• When Comes the Spring, 1985
• When Breaks the Dawn, 1985
• When Hope Springs New, 1986
• Beyond the Gathering Storm, 1999
• When Tomorrow Comes, 2000

Return to the Canadian West Series

This series is published by Bethany House. Janette Oke wrote these books with her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan.

• Where Courage Calls, 2014
• Where Trust Lies, 2015
• Where Hope Prevails, 2016

When Hope Calls Series

This series is also co-written with Laurel Oke Logan.

• Unyielding Hope, 2020
• Sustaining Faith, 2021
• Unfailing Love, 2022

Song of Acadia Series

Janette Oke wrote this series with T. Davis Bunn. It is published by Bethany House.

• The Meeting Place, 1999
• The Sacred Shore, 2000
• The Birthright, 2001
• The Distant Beacon, 2002
• The Beloved Land, 2002

This series is continued by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn in a follow-up series called Heirs of Acadia.

Acts of Faith Series

This series was also co-written with T. Davis Bunn and published by Bethany House.

• The Centurion's Wife, 2009
• The Hidden Flame, January 2010
• The Damascus Way, 2011

Other Standalone Books

Janette Oke has written several other books on her own or with co-authors.

• Return to Harmony, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
• Another Homecoming, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
• Tomorrow's Dream, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
• Dana's Valley, co-written with Laurel Oke Logan

Women of the West Books

These are standalone novels about different women living in the American West. You can read them in any order.

• The Calling of Emily Evans, 1990
• Julia's Last Hope, 1990
• Roses for Mama, 1990
• A Woman Named Dâmaris, 1991
• They Called Her Mrs. Doc, 1992
• The Measure of a Heart, 1992
• A Bride for Donnigan, 1993
• Heart of the Wilderness, 1993
• Too Long a Stranger, 1994
• The Bluebird and the Sparrow, 1995
• A Gown of Spanish Lace, 1995
• Drums of Change, 1995

Youth Books

Janette Oke has also written books for younger readers.

• I Wonder… Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb? (picture book)

Janette Oke's Animal Friends Series

This series features stories about different animals.

• The Impatient Turtle
• The Prodigal Cat
• Spunky's Diary
• This Little Pig
• New Kid in Town
• Ducktails
• Prairie Dog Town
• Trouble in a Fur Coat
• Maury Had a Little Lamb
• Pordy's Prickly Problem
• A Cote of Many Colors
• Who's New at the Zoo?
• Janette Oke's Animal Friends Pack, vols. 1–6
• Janette Oke's Animal Friends Pack, vols. 7–12

Other Works by Janette Oke

Besides her novels, Janette Oke has created other inspiring items.

• Celebrating the Inner Beauty of Women Dec 1997
• Father Who Calls: Devotional insights for Daily Meditations
• Hunger of Your Heart: Finding Fulfillment Through a Closer Walk With God
• Janette Oke Engagement Diary
• Janette Oke 2001 Engagement Diary (Calendar)
• Janette Oke's Reflections on the Christmas Story
• Making Memories by Janette Oke and Cheri Bladholm
• My favorite recipes: Featuring devotional & selected recipes
• My Favorite Verse
• The Father of Love
• The Loving Heart-Calendar
• What Does Love Look Like by Janette Oke and Cheri Bladholm
• Nana's Gift (novella) 2011