Taking Stories Outside

Good morning dear friends. I apologize for my long silence — the past six months have been crazy, chock full of hard times, but also abounding in blessings.

I’m now contributing monthly to Story Warren. For those not familiar, it’s a site started a decade ago by S.D. Smith (of Green Ember fame) that focuses on “holy imagination,” i.e., inspiring kids’ imaginations through story, play, and art in ways that point them to the greatest Story — our hope and salvation in Christ. If you’ve not visited the site before, please do check it out! It has ample resources and reflections bound to encourage. As the content is relevant to many who frequent this blog, I’ll be posting links here whenever one of my Story Warren articles goes live. Here’s the first: Taking Stories Outside

In other news, the first TWO books of The Dream Keeper Saga, my middle grade fantasy series with Christian themes, will be published in just a few months!

The Dragon and the Stone lands May 10th;

and the sequel, The Prince and the Blight, will be released just six months later, on August 2nd!

This series has been a labor of love, and I hope it will help inspire families to conversations about God’s goodness, and our hope that endures even in the darkness. Cover images and early reviews appear below.

Blessings to you all, and may the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness spur you on daily.

“I could not put this book down! Butler brings creative imagination and spiritual depth together in a way that keeps children engaged and curious. The larger-than-life storyline of The Dragon and the Stone is worth daydreaming about at your desk and discussing with your family around the table. Be prepared for your kids to initiate creative projects after reading!”
―Gloria Furman, author, Labor with Hope and A Tale of Two Kings

“The Dragon and the Stone displays all the imagination a book about the realm of dreams should have. The stakes are high―in that realm, and this―but it’s worth braving the dangers.”
―James D. Witmer, Managing Editor, StoryWarren.com; author, A Year in the Big Old Garden, Beside the Pond, and The Strange New Dog

“The Dragon and the Stone invites young readers to make an exciting journey into the realm of dreams with Lily McKinley and her eccentric companions. With a great deal of inventiveness and a touch of whimsy, Kathryn Butler takes the reader on a perilous ride that they won’t want to end. I was gripped from the first chapter, and I expect families will soon be clamoring for the next book in The Dream Keeper Saga!”
―Betsy Childs Howard, Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author, Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up and Polly and the Screen Time Overload

“Interesting characters and exciting action, vivid locations, and important lessons. This is just the kind of book my children loved to read―and the kind of book I loved to read to them.”
―Tim Challies, blogger, Challies.com

“In The Dragon and the Stone, Kathryn Butler has created a place of belonging for the uniquely creative among us―the girl who finds herself lost in daydreams or the boy who wishes his imaginary creations were real. But it’s not a realm for them alone; it’s a world that calls us all to realize the gifts of creativity we’ve been given and to employ them in serving God and others. Readers inspired by the journey of The Fellowship of the Ring, the redemption of Eustace Scrubb, and the loyalty of Ron and Hermione will find a new story to capture their imaginations and their hearts. Read it with a child, read it by yourself―just read it.”
―Catherine Parks, author, Empowered and Strong

“The Dragon and the Stone is a captivating story with undeniable Christian themes, making it a literary treasure that adults and children of all ages will enjoy. In it, Kathryn Butler enlivens the imagination through vivid storytelling while pointing to hope and redemption that only Christ can offer. I cannot wait to read this wonderful tale with my family!”
―Hunter Beless, Founder and Host, Journeywomen podcast; author, Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It: Knowing and Loving the Bible