Sanctuary Stories
A Faith-Filled Series for Big Feelings & Brave Hearts
Sanctuary Stories is a gentle children’s book series created to help kids name their feelings, process hard moments, and find hope through faith. Each story features a lovable animal character, heartfelt truth, and scripture-inspired encouragement - so children feel seen, loved, and never alone.
A Safe Place for Feelings,
Faith, and Healing
Each Sanctuary Stories book is thoughtfully created to help children process emotions and practice healthy coping skills in a gentle, faith-filled way.
Every Title:
Addresses one core emotional challenge (change, grief, worry, anger, identity, belonging)
Models healthy emotional responses through relatable characters
Teaches tangible coping strategies children can use outside the story
Includes or connects to companion workbooks with hands-on activities
Grounds emotional growth in scripture, prayer, and hope
Through storytelling, reflection, movement, drawing, and prayer, children learn how to calm their bodies, express feelings safely, and build emotional resilience.
share hope nurture faith spark connection shine light
Available Now
Wren’s Wish
A Story About Grief, Prayer
& Hope
Wren’s Wish is a tender, comforting story for children who miss someone they love. Through quiet reflection and prayer, Wren learns that love continues, prayers are heard, and God is always near.
Skills supported:
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Processing grief and longing
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Expressing emotions through prayer
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Finding comfort and hope
Pair the Book with:
My Sharing Journal
SOON!
Choose Your Favorite Formats
Coming Soon -
More Stories in The Sanctuary
More Sanctuary Stories are on the way, each created to support children through a specific emotional challenge with compassion, faith, and practical tools.
Peck's Loud Knock
Anger & Self Control
Peck learns healthy ways to release his storms without hurting others.
Robin's Broken Wing
Forgiveness & Trust
Robin learns that forgiveness isn’t forgetting - it’s finding freedom.
Lark’s Shaky Song
Anxiety & Worry
Lark discovers peace through stillness, prayer, and remembering God’s care.
Finn’s Different Song
Identity & Belonging
Finn discovers that God delights in his unique song.
Hope Has Wings
Grief & Healing
When grief feels heavy, hope teaches her to fly again.
Three More Titles...
Coming Soon
Faith-filled stories designed to help children feel seen, supported, and secure through life’s challenges.
More Than Stories -
Tools Kids Can Actually Use
Sanctuary Stories is designed to go beyond reading. Each book connects to companion workbooks and activity journals that reinforce the emotional lessons through hands-on practice.
Children are guided to:
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Name and understand their emotions
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Calm their bodies during overwhelming moments
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Express feelings through drawing, movement, and writing
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Practice prayer as a coping and connection tool
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Build confidence and emotional resilience
These skills are introduced gently, making emotional learning feel safe, natural, and empowering.
Perfect for Families, Classrooms,
& Caring Helpers
Sanctuary Stories is trusted by families and professionals as a supportive resource for emotional growth and faith-based encouragement.
Ideal for:
Parents and caregivers supporting emotional development
Adoptive and foster families
Children navigating change, grief, worry, anger, or belonging
Counselors, therapists, teachers, and children’s ministry leaders
Join the Sanctuary Stories Family
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Oh hey!
My name is Alex
Hi! I’m Alex - an author, illustrator, and designer who believes stories can spark hope and help little hearts feel seen and supported.
I created the Sanctuary Stories series to help children navigate big emotions with faith, compassion, and practical tools they can carry into everyday life. Each story is inspired by a deep belief that children’s hearts matter, their feelings are valid, and God’s presence is steady through every season.
Through gentle storytelling, meaningful illustration, and companion workbooks that teach real emotional coping skills, Sanctuary Stories is designed to support families, caregivers, and professionals as they help children grow with confidence, resilience, and hope.
Author & Illustrator of the Sanctuary Stories series
Sanctuary Stories is a faith-filled children’s book series by author and illustrator Alex Parsley. The series combines gentle storytelling with practical emotional coping skills to help children navigate change, grief, worry, anger, identity, and belonging through hope, scripture, and compassion.