I was talking with some coworkers today about how this January it has been particularly challenging to get back into the swing of things. We all gave each other grace in it—but found it was more of a struggle to give grace to ourselves. May you be gracious to everyone in your circles this week—including you.

Around the Web
Back to (Home)School: Tips for Preparing for Spring
In which Kelly Keller tells us all to curl up under blankets for the rest of the month (or something like that).
- Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! For homeschooling parents, this is a time for a return to routine, while still trying to have fresh eyes for the spring semester ahead. Maybe you’re approaching this “restarting” time with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I can relate! Here are a few tips to start off 2024 in your homeschool:
Start Slow: January is usually when families begin a long stretch of uninterrupted schooling with no break on the near horizon.
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The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith
Janie at Redeemed Reader reviews this novel for upper middle grade.
- A 12-year-old works through grief in The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale.
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The Irreplaceable Encouragement of Intergenerational Relationships
Amanda Duvall reminds us that we are meant to have relationships across generations.
- I took a seat at my assigned table for my first Bible study at our new church and was surprised to see a number of gray and white heads dotted among the tables. I wondered, what would it be like to study alongside women who were 20, 30, or more years older than I? Up until this point, my close friendships consisted of almost exclusively people in or near my stage of life.
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How to Read a Thunderstorm
Seth Porch meditates on some of the minor prophets and God’s words through a storm.
- In sub-Saharan West Africa, the dry season slowly tightens its deathlike grip until that first thunderstorm. It begins as a speck on the horizon. The breeze stills; the furnace-like heat threatens to consume all in its oven. Dark clouds pile upon each other in the distance, as if in a mad race to block out the sun.
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Around the Warren
Navigating Loss in Children’s Literature
Paul McKinley considers the hard things in children’s books.
- “Don’t worry, he’s the main character so nothing bad will happen to him,” my seven-year-old assures my five-year-old with a matter-of-factness that only a young child can muster. The author reinforces his belief, guiding the protagonist through every battle and hardship with ease.
Do bad things happen to good characters? Do heroes ever fail their mission? Do protagonists ever die?
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GIGGLES: Theater Prompt Ideas to Complete the Creative Prompt Trilogy
One more creativity prompt from Rebecca Levake!
- A squiggle is a quick and easy art prompt. A wiggle is an equally quick and easy writing prompt. When James, from Story Warren, made plans to publish my articles about squiggles and wiggles, he quipped that a trilogy would be fun and wondered if I had any idea what a giggle might be. A trilogy would be cool, I thought, but I don’t know what a gig–wait! I do know what a giggle is!…kind of… I didn’t have the details worked out, but I knew at that moment what was missing from this collection of quick and easy creative prompts – a theater prompt.
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Something to Do with Your Kids
There are a goodly number of places where my friends live that have snow right now (I’m not jealous. I’m not jealous.), and that means that it’s an excellent time to share this guide on how to paint snow!
Something to Watch
CGP Grey wanders in the forest of all knowledge to discuss the Northern Irish flag.

Thanks for reading. We’re on your side.
–The Story Warren Team
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 5 - February 15, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 4 - February 1, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 3 - January 25, 2025
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