Timeless Tales: Illustrated Children's Books by Sarah Woodard
Stories about animals, Nature, friendship, kindness, belonging, and the choices we make.
Welcome to my collection of illustrated stories!
I write books that children can enjoy and adults can appreciate, too. Each story introduces characters facing situations that invite readers to consider compassion, relationships, the natural world, or the experiences of others.
Some are funny. Some are tender. Others address subjects that can be difficult to discuss with children, from grief and animal welfare to discrimination and environmental responsibility.
I call them Timeless Tales because I love stories that remain meaningful beyond the first reading and that adults love, too.
Introduction: Stories for Children and the Adults Who Read With Them
I have always loved children's literature that respects its readers.
Books like The Little Prince and Where the Wild Things Are are wonderful examples of stories that children and adults can experience differently. A child might enjoy the characters and adventure, while an adult notices questions about friendship, loneliness, imagination, or growing up.
That's the spirit behind my Timeless Tales.
They're illustrated stories designed for reading aloud, independent reading where appropriate, and conversations between children and the people who care about them.
They're also of interest to some older readers who enjoy illustrated stories with meaningful themes.
You don't have to agree with every perspective in every book. Stories give us opportunities to encounter different experiences, ask questions, and consider what we think.
The Problem: Finding Stories About Subjects That Matter to You
Sometimes you're looking for more than a book that fills ten minutes before bedtime.
Maybe your child has started asking questions about why people are treated differently.
Perhaps you're helping a young reader understand the death of a beloved companion animal.
You might want a story that reflects your family's values around animals, or one that introduces environmental concerns in language children can understand.
Or maybe you want a book with a memorable character and an interesting adventure.
Finding stories by subject can be frustrating when a large catalog is presented as one long collection of covers.
That's why I've organized my Timeless Tales by topic. You can start with the subject that interests you rather than scrolling through dozens of titles without knowing what each one explores.
The Solution: Timeless Tales by Topic
Find a story that speaks to the subject you're exploring.
My children's books cover a wide range of experiences, from animal companionship and wildlife to friendship, family, identity, and caring for the environment.
Browse the categories below and click a book cover to visit its purchase page.
Companion Animals 🐈
Stories about the animals who share our homes and lives, including friendship, rescue, loss, and the bonds we form with them.
Wildlife 🦌
Stories featuring wild animals and their experiences, including the challenges they face and the relationships humans have with them.
Diversity 🔯
Stories exploring identity, difference, family, culture, and the importance of treating people with dignity and respect.
Veganism/Animal Rights 🌱
Stories about farmed animals, compassion, animal welfare, and the choices people make about how animals are treated.
LGBTQIA+ 🏳️🌈
Stories featuring identity, family, and acceptance.
Environment/Sustainability 🌳
Stories about the natural world, environmental responsibility, and the relationships between people, plants, and animals.
Friendship 👭
Stories about friendship, connection, kindness, and finding people who appreciate us.
More Timeless Tales 🌎
Stories about growing up, family relationships, patience, change, courage, and being yourself.
Adri’s Big Dream (staying true to yourself)
Gabby’s Special Day (patience)
Amber’s Sick Day (growing up/dealing with change)
Carlos Makes a Discovery (dealing with change)
Monica’s School Day (school, valuing teachers)
Jemma’s Grandpa (family)
Kateryna’s Trip (refugees, war)
The Loud Night (fireworks, wildlife, companion animals, PTSD)
Silla’s Slippers (starting a trend, being yourself)
Little Bunny Meets Mr. Fox (kindness, compassion)
How It Works: Choose a Story
Finding a book is simple.
Choose a topic. Start with the subject you're interested in exploring.
Browse the covers. Look through the titles in that category.
Click a book. Follow its link to learn more and see the available purchase options.
If you're choosing a book for a child, consider their interests, reading experience, and comfort with the subject.
Some Timeless Tales address loss, discrimination, animal suffering, or other challenging experiences. Those stories may be especially useful when an adult is available to read alongside the child and discuss their questions.
You can also explore my personal favorites and award-winning titles further down the page.
Benefits: What Makes Timeless Tales Different?
I write these stories because I believe children's literature can make room for subjects that are sometimes overlooked.
Across the collection, you'll find:
Illustrated stories with distinctive characters and situations.
A wide range of subjects, including Nature, animals, friendship, family, and identity.
Stories for shared reading, where children and adults can respond to the same book in different ways.
Opportunities for conversation about questions that don't always have easy answers.
Independent titles, so you can choose the subjects that interest you without following a series in order.
Each book has its own characters and focus. Some are playful, while others address more serious subjects.
I hope you enjoy discovering them.
Three of My Favorites
I love every book I write, and I feel an emotional connection to all my characters.
Choosing just three favorites wasn't easy!
I picked these because I relate to their characters and experiences, at least at this particular moment in my life. Ask me again in a few years and I might choose differently. 🙂
Emily Jane loves walking in the woods and finds comfort among the trees.
One day, she hears a loud noise that changes everything.
Join Emily Jane on a Nature walk in a story about actions and consequences.
Click the book to get your copy.
Little Bear is learning how to find food and stay safe.
Then something frightening happens while he's out with his mother.
Through an imagined animal perspective, this story introduces the subject of bear hounding and encourages consideration of how humans and wildlife can happily coexist.
Click the book to get your copy.
Valentine is a bright red bear who loves exploring, but his unusual color sometimes makes him feel different from everyone else.
One day, he meets new friends and discovers that he can be appreciated exactly as he is.
This story was inspired by a real adventure I had with my own red bear named Valentine.
Click the book to get your copy.
Award-Winning Timeless Tales
I'm thrilled that several of my children's books have received recognition through the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.
Ellie grows up in the forest, surrounded by the animals and plants she considers family.
She learns ways of living in relationship with the natural world, including shamanic healing practices and ceremonies. Eventually, she leaves the woods to share what she has learned.
The story introduces these spiritual practices in a form intended to be accessible to younger readers.
First Place, General, 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Click the book to get your copy.
Bitsy becomes confused while pollinating flowers, and Timmy helps her find her way home.
Along the way, readers learn about bees and some of the challenges pollinators face.
The story encourages organic and chemical-free gardening practices.
Honorable Mention, Green Books/Environmental, 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Click the book to get your copy.
Leila wakes to something upsetting and decides to act.
With help from her fairy friends, she works toward a positive environmental change.
The story introduces eco-friendly living and the idea that even small actions matter.
Honorable Mention, Green Books/Environmental, 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Click the book to get your copy.
Jemma has a special relationship with her grandfather.
After he dies, she comes to appreciate their time together in a different way.
This story is a tribute to my own grandfather and the love I have for him.
Honorable Mention, Family Matters, 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Click the book to get your copy.