Stories that take hold and stay. We publish picture books with the depth parents are looking for — books written to be read together, returned to, and passed down.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
— Philippians 4:8
The idea of creating books that hold deeper meaning came to me shortly after my first daughter was born. While preparing for a deployment, I wrote her a small poem in the airport — to help her understand the reasons for my absence. That poem became my first book, and Stone & Oak Publishing was born.
My desire to teach traditional Catholic and Christian values to my children — rooted in a Christ-centered foundation and an objective moral ethic — has propelled me on this journey. I want to write children's books that are entertaining but carry serious meaning. Books that help children understand the world around them.
As the great children's author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis once wrote:
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker."
I pray these books are a meaningful addition to your family's bedtime — the one quiet hour of the evening when the world is still, and we are able to reflect on our children, ourselves, our place in the world, and our faith.
That is where I hope these books find you.
— Joe Quintero Founder, Stone & Oak Publishing
Each title is available in hardcover and paperback through major retailers worldwide.
Penned anonymously by a service member during a brief layover before deployment, I'll Love You Near, I'll Love You Far bridges the distance for children whose mom or dad has to go away — for duty, for service, for the call that can't wait.
The book honors every branch of the U.S. military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard — alongside the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and healthcare professionals who work long hours away from the families who love them.
A timely tribute to the families behind every uniform as our nation marks 250 years of independence.
The final pages include built-in postcards and writing space — for notes, photos, and drawings that grow into a family record.
Scroll → A glimpse inside the book
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Told in lyrical verse across the seasons of a single oak, a father walks his child through the questions every Christian household will face — the First Cause, the order of creation, why we suffer, what makes us more than matter, and what awaits us.
Written for the parent who wants to give their child real answers to life's greatest questions — drawn from the classical arguments of Christian apologetics, the wisdom of the saints, and the great thinkers who shaped history. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Beautifully written and illustrated for a young child faced with a service member's deployment. A youngster rarely understands why Mommy or Daddy has to leave — but this book helps tremendously.— Verified Amazon Reader · ★★★★★
For schools, libraries, military commands, faith communities, fire and police departments, and the organizations that put books in the hands of the families they serve.
Single copies? Order through Amazon — they ship faster and worldwide. Bulk orders ship via IngramSpark's print network, typically 10–14 business days.
Custom dedications and organizational logos available on orders of 100+.
Rooted in the Catholic tradition. Books that take faith seriously — content parents can trust before they hand it over.
Impactful illustrations. Verses that are meaningful. Hardcovers built to survive a thousand bedtimes.
Books worth keeping. Worth wrapping. Worth handing down when the time comes.
A portion of every book sold contributes to organizations that care for the families behind the uniform — the parents who serve, the children who wait, and the families who lose someone in service.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
— John 1:5
