Enchanting stories.
Timeless hope.
Lasting light.
Beautifully crafted children’s books that spark wonder, courage, and hope—what’s often missing from today’s shelves.
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Nothing’s as exciting as the beginning of a journey…and that’s where you’re joining us!
Sign up to be the first to know all of our news…including the upcoming release of our debut picture book,
The Lamplighter.
What today’s stories are missing
It’s getting harder to find children’s stories that feel timeless —
stories that grow courage, character, and wonder in a child’s heart.
Books sometimes lack whole-hearted imagination
Stories today are primarily absorbed through screens, in a screen-heavy culture that leaves kids anxious and disconnected
Many parents, teachers, caregivers, and grandparents long for more inspiring, hope-filled stories to offer kids
We understand
what you’re hoping for
As a parent, writer, lover of good stories, and former teacher, I know the ache for books that feel like home. Stories that comfort, strengthen, and glow in a child’s memory for years to come. You’re not alone—I’ve been longing for them too.
Crafted with Care
Books brought to you by storytellers and illustrators who care deeply about readers’ hearts
Commitment to wholesome, high-craft, enduring tales.
Artisan-level stories. In today’s instant-content world, we’re not afraid of the irreplaceable ingredient of time, and every page is a labor of hours of love.
Bringing joy, delight, and enchantment from pages to hearts.
Stories that Light the Way
Imaginative, hope-filled narratives
Timeless aesthetic
Themes that foster resilience, courage, gratitude, curiosity, and imagination
Inspired by classic storytelling, yet fresh for today’s readers
Every Lanternwood story sends out a little more light. We set aside a portion of our proceeds to support child-focused organizations and global missions— some in our communities, some across the world. Our hope is that as Lanternwood grows, so will our ability to give. We’ll always be open about where the light is going.
Where Your
Light Reaches
Because stories should do more than inspire —
they should help
children thrive.
How We Help Your Family Find the Stories You’ve Been Missing
A simple 3-step plan:
Sign Up
…to join the Lanternwood Newsletter
Follow the Journey
…as we bring our inaugural book to life
Bring Home Stories
…that grow with your children
Imagine your child…
:
Feeling safe, inspired, hopeful
Learning courage through imagination + adventure
Seeing beauty, light, and goodness in the world
Creating lifelong memories around reading
This is what stories were meant to do.
And it’s what Lanternwood Press was created for.
“…some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again…” —C.S. Lewis
Who’s behind this, anyway?
A brand new line of children’s books from
bestselling, award-winning author
Amanda Dykes…
…because she believes in your desire
to fill your child’s bookshelves with light.
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As Featured On/In/At...
1,000 Hours Outside Podcast
Read Aloud Revival Podcast
Focus on the Family Broadcast
Family Fiction Magazine
Life: Beautiful magazine
Clubhouse Magazine
The Good and the Beautiful Book List
Shelf Awareness
Columbus Book Festival
and more. -
Credentials Include...
Christy Award Book of the Year Winner
ECPA, Parable Group, and Amazon Bestseller
Starred Reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, Foreword
Inspy Award
Kipp Award
Booklist Top Ten Title
Historical Novels Review Editor’s Choice.
Works translated/adapted into Dutch, Slovak, Romanian, German, Spanish, audiobook, and large print -
Most Importantly...
Amanda believes wonder and imagination are priceless gifts of childhood that can help lead to a life of resilience and hope…and she believes these things are worth fighting to bring back into prevalence in children’s books. At a time when delight, joy, adventure, courage, and inspiration are sometimes sacrificed to other content filling pages…she believes we can work together to once again invite these lasting gifts to flood pages (and hearts!) in abundance. These bright souls deserve it.
Something enchanting is coming...
-Spring 2026-
Stay tuned to the space below for a video sneak peek…coming soon!
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book announcements (including limited special edition order information)
