The Warren & the World is Story Warren’s weekly newsletter, providing a round-up of our favorite things from around the web as well as a review of what was on our site over the past week. We’re glad you’re here!
Around the Web
Dear Little One, Release Your Shame (A Letter from a Father to a Child)
This piece at UnTangled by Kelly Flanagan is a beautiful word from fathers to children.
- Dear Little One,
You have not been perfect. Far from it.
Do you remember the time you crept downstairs while everyone was sleeping and snuck the Kool-Aid from the refrigerator? Do you remember how, when you got caught, you lied and said you didn’t do it? You’ve punished yourself for that transgression for long enough. You are forgiven. Release your shame.
You are not the poor decisions you sometimes make.
Pixar offers free online lessons in storytelling via Khan Academy
The great storytellers over at Pixar are offering lessons in storytelling.
- There are few organizations in the world that can claim more expertise when it comes to storytelling than Pixar. The Disney-owned animation studio is known for its ability to consistently create world-class movies with gripping narrative alongside stunning visuals. Now, Pixar is helping others learn the secrets of great storytelling – for free, in partnership with online education provider Khan Academy.
Are You a Marshmallow Mom?
Joanne Kraft has a piece on the struggle to be disciplined with our small children, but the rewards of that discipline.
- As moms, our love for our children is almost superhuman — unconditional and unending. Yet sometimes this powerhouse of love and affection overwhelms our parenting. Our wisdom and good judgment melt in the face of our children’s desires, and we become marshmallow moms.
This isn’t something to be proud of. Yes, marshmallows moms are sweet. Who doesn’t love sugar? But being overly soft and sweet in our parenting can be detrimental to our kids.
The Jesus Storybook Bible Turns 10: The Story Behind the Bestseller
The JSB is one of our favorite books here at Story Warren, and it’s turning 10 years old this year. Here’s a great piece from The Gospel Coalition by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra that tells some of the story behind the book.
- Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of the bestselling Jesus Storybook Bible, never wanted to write a children’s Bible.
But after a year of struggling to find work as a children’s author, she wasn’t in the financial position to turn down Christian publisher Zondervan when they asked for a new Bible.
“I needed the money,” she said.
So Lloyd-Jones started in on a story Bible that would take three years of work and a mountain of editorial challenges. Gradually, she fell in love with it, and so did everyone else. Over the last decade, The Jesus Storybook Bible has sold 2.5 million copies, been translated into 33 languages, and spun off an audio and video version, a curriculum, and an adult book. The book has picked up multiple awards and has been given 4.9 stars by more than 3,000 Amazon reviewers.
Around the Warren
Imaginations Should Be Exercised
James Witmer reminds us of the importance of our imaginations in love and in faith.
- What is imagination good for? And why do we need imaginative stories?
The real world is full of beauty. Normal lives are full of drama. And beneath it all is Truth; bright, hard, sharp as the point of a spear.
So why make stuff up? Why read (or play at) things that aren’t real?
Because a healthy imagination is necessary for love.
Jim LaMarche Loves Light
Helena Sorensen recommends the books and artwork of Jim LaMarche.
- Jim LaMarche loves light. When bands of slanting afternoon light spill into the kitchen or early morning light causes a blush to fall over a meadow, Mr. LaMarche catches the light and every subtle shade it awakens. He sees the world in quiet tableaus of light and color.
A young boy holds his silver spoon over a bowl of chowder. His hair is copper in the light from the window, and the green ceramic bowl shines in the back of the spoon. Beside the bowl are a pale brown oyster cracker and an apple with so many shades of russet and gold that it might be another sun.
Something to Do with Your Kids
This activity with balloons not only has the prospect of being hilarious, it also is a fun way to explore principles of force and motion.
And Something to Watch
Have you heard of backwards bicycles? Destin at Smarter Every Day tests one out.
Thank you for reading. We’re on your side.
Carolyn Clare Givens is a displaced Northerner exploring the foreign ways of the South. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her literary cat, Lord Peter Wimsey. She's the author of The King's Messenger and Rosefire and in her free time helps run Bandersnatch Books.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
Latest posts by Carolyn Clare Givens (see all)
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- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 23 - June 28, 2025
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