Kathryn Butler's Blog

Some exciting news! The Last Keeper, the finale to The Dream Keeper Saga, is a finalist for the 2026 Audie Award in the faith-based category! The Audies are the official audiobook awards sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA). You can read more about them here.

I’m deeply grateful to Crossway for shepherding this audiobook, especially the leadership of Josh Klos. Additionally, many thanks to Shannon McManus, whose expertise in narration brought Lily’s story to life!

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today marks the official release of the boxed set of The Dream Keeper Saga! All five books in a single package, with a beautifully-illustrated case. Now available at Crossway, Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes and Noble, Westminster Books (half off, only $34!), and other booksellers.

Writing is a joy. Truly. How delightful is it to dive into your imagination, weave a story, and then share it with others?! Every time I have another project I feel like a kid stepping wide-eyed into a candy store. Or more accurately, a Roald Dahl-esque chocolate extravaganza! I’m so grateful and blessed to be on this journey.

Those feelings of wonder and gratitude are especially prominent with my newest forthcoming release. I’m thrilled to announce that The Hunt for the Kraken — the first in the Lamplight Series of decide-as-you-go adventure books — will release from Crossway in January 2026!

In these interactive and fast-paced books, your young reader is the main character of the story. The Lamplight Series is specifically geared toward Christian families; a relevant verse from Scripture will greet your kids at every decision point to illustrate how God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps. 119:105). In this first installment, young readers will journey to the North Sea where they’ll face a greedy pirate, intriguing legends, terrifying sea monsters, and a mysterious blue light that beckons them onward.

Details below!

Kids Choose the Course of This Fast-Paced Sea Voyage, the First Interactive Novel from Kathryn Butler’s The Lamplight Series

One minute you’re fishing on a lazy day in Massachusetts. Suddenly, it’s the 18th century and you find yourself aboard the whaleship Valiant, manned by a greedy pirate named Blackviper and his crew. Their quest: find the mysterious sea monster, the kraken. Where the story goes next is up to you.

In this immersive novel, the reader is the protagonist. Each suspenseful chapter ends with two or three courses of action, and kids choose one and see where the story takes them. Bible verses throughout reassure readers that, whether the outcome of their decision is good or bad, God is with them. As kids have fun steering the crew through raging storms, cannon fire, and giant sea creatures, they’ll also learn how to apply biblical wisdom and rely on God’s grace.

The Hunt for the Kraken is the first book in the Lamplight series, written by Kathryn Butler. Each immersive novel teaches kids how to make choices inspired by the truth of Scripture. With a variety of story combinations, children will love reading and rereading this unique book.

Interactive Story Format: Told from the second-person point of view, this decide-as-you-go adventure puts the reader in the middle of the actionEducational and Scripture-Based: The story and related Bible verses teach kids to navigate decisions around obeying parents, helping others, resolving conflict, and moreFun Book for Ages 8–12: Perfect for lower middle-grade readers and their families to enjoy togetherBook 1 of the Lamplight Series: Written by Kathryn Butler, creator of the Dream Keeper Saga

Have you ever noticed how your heart thrills when you hear a good story?

J.R.R. Tolkien argued that this pulse of joy and wonder arises because all the best stories reflect the truth of the One, Great Story — the Story of how God sent a Savior to save mankind from inescapable peril.

Reflecting this idea, The Storyteller’s Bible offers kids the story of redemption in a book intended as a read-aloud. I’ve been honored to work on many book projects over the years, but this one was a special labor of love. My goal was to capture for kids the tremendous gift of the gospel as revealed throughout the entire biblical narrative, in a storybook that is at once engaging, theologically rich, and faithful to the biblical text. The talents of 32 illustrators from across the world bring the stories to life. I’m so grateful to B&H Kids for their partnership in this project!

The Storyteller’s Bible is now available on Amazon, Christian Book, Westminster Books, and elsewhere.

A world being created from nothing. A boy facing a giant on the battlefield. A Savior giving all for the people He loves. The Bible is full of incredible true stories that not only enthrall listeners but also connect them to the original Storyteller—God.  
This unique Bible storybook helps you excel as a storyteller too, by offering:  

Thirty-five engaging stories written specifically for reading aloud  Illustrations from more than thirty visual storytellers from around the world  Mid-story and follow-up questions to engage your listeners  Extra content and tips on how to be a better storyteller  

Each story takes about five minutes to read aloud, perfect for sharing at the end of class or at the end of a long day. Together, the stories offer a cohesive retelling of the gospel, pointing children’s hearts and minds to the greatest Storyteller of all.  

I’m delighted to share that The Quest for the Guardians is an ECPA Christian Book Awards finalist for 2025!

Thank you to all you amazing readers and friends who’ve helped these stories come alive. I’m grateful for all of you!

Soli Deo Gloria.

I was delighted to partner with Crossway and TGC on Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever, part of the TGC Kids series and releasing TODAY!

My own experiences with my kids inspired this one. I hope it start a conversation with the youngest ones in your life about the worth — not in their accomplishments, not in the height of their tallest block towers, but in Christ!

Sonia is available at Amazon, Crossway, Christian Book, and from other booksellers.

This TGC Kids Book Teaches Children That Their True Worth and Identity Are Found Only in Christ

Sonia dreams of being just as talented as the other kids in her class. Hoping to impress her teacher, she constructs a tower using blocks. As she imagines it growing taller and taller, she eventually incorporates books, a fire truck, boxes of crayons, and even a golden hamster! When she snaps back to reality, she is disappointed to find that her tower is not nearly as impressive as she had imagined. 

We all long to feel special. We seek recognition for our efforts and validation for who we are. This easy-to-understand story, with winsome language and colorful pictures, helps kids ages 3–7 understand that their value doesn’t come from the approval of others or the success of their actions but from the unconditional love of God in Christ. A TGC Kids book. 

Written for Kids Ages 3–7: Accessible story accompanied by colorful illustrations to keep kids engaged Teaches Kids an Important Life Lesson: Helps little ones understand their worth is not found in the approval of others but in the love of God in ChristIncludes a “Note to Kids” from the Author: Kathryn Butler helps young readers connect Sonia’s story and the message of the gospel to their own livesTGC Kids Series: Teaches kids biblical truths while engaging their hearts and imaginations

After a five-year journey, I am honored and thrilled to announce that The Last Keeper releases today! I am so grateful for all the love and support readers have shown over the course of this series’ development. Your words and your smiles are a balm to my weary heart and inspiration to my pen.

The Last Keeper Concludes the Dream Keeper Saga, an Adventure for Middle-Grade Readers Steeped in Magic, Mystery, and Glimmers of Hope

After a worldwide quest to save the planet from Eymah and his nightmares, Lily is now racing to escape the dark caverns of the Realm. Joined by Keisha, Adam, and their magical friends, she fights Eymah’s monsters in an unrelenting battle of ice and fire. When she meets an elder centaur along the way, Lily learns about an ancient scroll that foretells the last keeper―one who prepares the way for the arrival of the prince. Could it really be her? In her final fight to defend the earth and the Realm, Lily relies on her faith in Pax’s promise: that he will return and make all things new.

The thrilling conclusion to the Dream Keeper Saga takes middle-grade readers on an adventure filled with talking dragons, monsters, wizards, and more. Mixing fantasy with Christian themes, this novel invites families to reflect on and discuss God’s story of redemption.

Available wherever books are sold!

Amazon

Christianbook

Crossway

I was delighted to chat with Matt Tully again on the Crossway Podcast, this time about The Last Keeper (releasing tomorrow)!

You can find the audio and transcript here.

I was delighted to chat with Amy Sloan from Humility and Doxology on homeschooling, suffering, depression, and God’s grace throughout. Amy’s website and podcast are wonderful resources for homeschool families and for followers of Christ. I’d highly recommend checking them out!

Here’s the podcast web page: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/homeschool-conversations/

My episode with her also appears at the following:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/v2eJ3rrAioY

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeschool-conversations-with-humility-and-doxology/id1526734966

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mQU03E32WvopIKchAsA3V

Podcast Addict: https://www.podcastaddict.com/podcast/3063509

Transcript and Notes here: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/navigating-suffering-finding-hope/

This past year was a very busy one on the writing front! I’m delighted to announce that Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever will release in April 2025 as part of the TGC Kids series! Now available for preorder.

Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever

By Kathryn Butler, MD,  Illustrated by Samara Hardy

This TGC Kids Book Teaches Children That Their True Worth and Identity Are Found Only in Christ

Sonia dreams of being just as talented as the other kids in her class. Hoping to impress her teacher, she constructs a tower using blocks. As she imagines it growing taller and taller, she eventually incorporates books, a fire truck, boxes of crayons, and even a golden hamster! When she snaps back to reality, she is disappointed to find that her tower is not nearly as impressive as she had imagined. 

We all long to feel special. We seek recognition for our efforts and validation for who we are. This easy-to-understand story, with winsome language and colorful pictures, helps kids ages 3–7 understand that their value doesn’t come from the approval of others or the success of their actions but from the unconditional love of God in Christ. A TGC Kids book. 

Written for Kids Ages 3–7: Accessible story accompanied by colorful illustrations to keep kids engaged Teaches Kids an Important Life Lesson: Helps little ones understand their worth is not found in the approval of others but in the love of God in ChristIncludes a “Note to Kids” from the Author: Kathryn Butler helps young readers connect Sonia’s story and the message of the gospel to their own livesTGC Kids Series: Teaches kids biblical truths while engaging their hearts and imaginations