If you’ve wondered how Kingdom Cubs got started, you’re not alone. The honest answer: It started with a dream and a prayer. And somewhere in the middle of those two was a problem.
The Problem
As a mom, I’ve always been selective about the books my kids read. That’s why I understand the struggle many parents face in finding children’s books rooted in Scripture.
The kind of books that help kids not only become familiar with Bible verses but actually understand the values behind them. The kind of relatable stories that make following God exciting to young readers.
Narratives where character traits woven seamlessly into the story teach them how to live out their Christian faith. Like hope. Courage. Patience. Kindness. Humility.
The Prayer
The prayer that started Kingdom Cubs came during a time of worship at a women’s conference in 2024. It was a simple prayer: “Lord, use me.” And I felt God calling me to a new season. I felt Him urging me to bring back a dream from decades ago.
As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
The Dream
When I was a teen and young adult, I loved writing. I’d write poems, short stories, etc. Some for school and some just because. Then in 2003 or so, I started a writing course specifically for writing children’s books.
That dream stayed on the back burner though, while I worked in different fields, started a family, and eventually built a real estate career. Until God’s nudge at the women’s conference in 2024 set the birth of Kingdom Cubs in motion.
The First Story
I’m not going to pretend I sat down and wrote a perfect book on the first try. The early drafts were rough. But the core idea was there from the beginning: one book, one value, one Bible verse. A story that kids would actually want to hear again, with a truth woven into the adventure so naturally that it didn’t feel like medicine.
I wanted kids to see themselves in the characters. And since kids love animals, the Kingdom Cubs were born: a group of young animal characters navigating real-kid problems with faith as their foundation.
The Vision: 52 Books
I quickly realized though that one story wasn’t enough. There are so many values I want to explore, so many verses I want to bring to life. The vision grew into something much bigger: 52 Kingdom Cubs books. One for every week of the year. A complete library of faith-building stories that families can return to again and again.
We’re starting with three series: Hope, Courage, and Good Attitudes. Each series explores a different area of character and faith through multiple stories. And this is just the beginning.
Why It Matters
Every time a parent tells me their child asked to read a Kingdom Cubs book “one more time,” I know this is working. Not because I’m a great writer, but because stories are powerful. They always have been. But even more powerful is God’s Word. When you pair a great story with God’s Word, something happens in a child’s heart that lectures and worksheets could never achieve.
That’s why I keep writing. That’s why Kingdom Cubs exists. And that’s why I’m so grateful you’re here.
Thank you for trusting us with your family’s reading time. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
With love and faith,
Jealene Friesen
Founder, JWP Publishing
