Kathy Urban Tales

CREATING MEANINGFUL CHILDREN’S STORIES

that entertain, educate & inspire actions toward a kinder world

I'm thrilled to share the news about my latest picture book, A Tree for Everyone, arriving this autumn—just as the oak leaves begin to turn.

This story has lived quietly inside me for years, rooted in memories of a childhood filled with climbing trees, playing with friends, and learning to navigate disagreements. What unfolds in the pages of this book isn’t exactly how things happened though …

It's how I wish they had. It’s the story I needed then, and one I’m proud to pass on now to young readers (and their grown-ups).

A big shoutout to the incredibly talented Rosie Butcher, whose artwork on the book absolutely took my breath away. The illustrations are magical and I hope they will give you the same butterflies they gave me when I saw them.

I can’t wait to share this story with you and your families. Kathy x

Turning Strangers into Friends

Pre-Order on Amazon

Order on Waterstones

For the Love of Stories

What a Book Launch

Sep. 27 at the Courtyard Playhouse

I always loved stories, then and now, and the best ones I found in books. How proud that little bookworm would be if she had known that one day she’d begin a writing career, entertaining children with stories of her own.

This weekend I had the joy of sharing my latest book, A Tree for Everyone, with a full house at Dubai’s Courtyard Playhouse. It’s a story about friendship, collaboration, how things can go wrong, and why play is so essential in helping us find our way back to each other.

We laughed, we imagined, stacked boxes, and joined the silly actors in pretend games of pirates, flowers, and wriggly worms making their way up the apple tree.

We celebrated storytelling in its most magical form—with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and one special highlight that saw our littlest audience members decorate one BIG cardboard tree with their handprints.

That tree will be traveling with me as I continue sharing this book and hopefully see many more handprints added to it.

A huge thanks to everyone at the Courtyard who worked so hard to make this event a success. And thank you, Team Bookworm for your continued support (if you missed the event, my books are available at both the Meadows and Umm Suqeim branches).

Tonight, I feel deeply grateful for so many things: the childhood that shaped me, the stories that continue to grow from it, and everyone—big and small—who comes out to listen to them.

Thank you.

A Tree For Everyone

Set around an old oak tree, two groups of children find themselves at odds with each other. As angry words halt their play, can the children find a way forward to share their special place and turn strangers into friends?

A heartwarming story about the value of teamwork, second chances and the healing power of a meaningful apology.

A Tree for Everyone publishes October 9, 2025, with Little Steps Publishing, and will be available in the UK, Australia and other territories. An audiovisual version will also be available on Emirates’ ICE entertainment channel.

Hello my name is Kathy Urban and I love making up stories. I love writing them too. To share with you and your little one. Have a look. I hope there's something for you.

Hop Lola Hop - A Magical Christmas Adventure

Hello! My name is Kathy Urban …

… and I love making up stories.

Many many moons ago, it was my dad who told me about the adventures of baby giraffe and her life in the African Savannah at bedtime. The little girl that I was back then absolutely loved listening to them, which by the way did not come from a book – my dad made them up.

It is these memories that have stayed with me all those years and eventually lead me on the path of making up my own stories as a children’s writer. Read on ..

Just to let you know …

NEW BOOK coming this Autumn

Did you know that oak trees live for hundreds of years—some more than 1,000— they’re home to hundreds of species. Its strength comes from its deep roots and, moreover, from the rich web of life it supports—and is supported by.

There’s a beautiful truth we can learn from trees: they grow, they thrive through connection. Giving. Taking. Sharing.

I felt compelled to write something new, something that’s rooted in my own childhood. It’s one that keeps resurfacing time and time again these days, as if it wanted me to share it. This story is one about friendship, old and new ones, of second chances and the healing power of a meaningful apology.

Coming this autumn, when the oak tree will be changing colours once again - A Tree for Everyone.

I can’t wait to share it with you.
NOW AVAILABLE IN LEBANON

We’re thrilled to announce that Kind Little Hands, the heartwarming children’s book celebrating empathy and kindness, is now available at all Antoine bookstore branches across Lebanon!
For more information, visit: www.antoineonline.com
Lola & Bee now available in store at Paperworks, Cyprus

Even more exciting—Paperworks in Cyprus has become the first EU bookshop to stock all of my titles! It’s such an incredible milestone for me, and I’m deeply grateful to Paperworks for making my books accessible to more readers across borders.
Thank you for all the continued love and support.
Paperworks in Cyprus
Kind Little Hands Featured on Autumn Reads Podcast

Kind Little Hands is now exclusively featured on the Autumn Reads podcast on Spotify—perfect for bedtime, cozy moments, or even in the car with your little ones.
I also had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely host, Autumn, about the inspiration behind the book, the journey of creating it, and so much more. And psst… there's a little treat in there for anyone who enjoys raw poetry and a behind-the-scenes peek into my writing process.
Tune in now on Spotify—just search Autumn Reads or follow the link HERE
We are in Australia too!

for readers in Australia and New Zealand — my titles are available both online and in store! Whether you prefer browsing the shelves or shopping from your screen, you can find my books near you.
👉 Head to the Stockist section to see which shops and libraries carry them — and happy reading!
Say Hello to ‘لولو’

Thrilled to announce that Lola’s publishing journey is entering a new chapter!
Please say hello to ‘لولو’ or ‘Lulu’ who is about to hop! hop! hop! on to her Arabic publishing adventure!
UAE Authors

We’ve been around for a while and it’s time to let you all know…
Here’s a my new blog post how the UAE Authors Group for children’s writers started out.
Get yourself a cup of tea (or coffee) - this post goes beyond 20 seconds.
Sharing toy bunny love on Dubai Eye103.8

Christmas is very nearly here … time for the cosy jumpers to come out and share a little more toy bunny love ❤️ .
Thanks so much to Helen and producer Milanie for inviting me on the programme this week to talk about my new book - Hop Lola Hop - A Magical Christmas Adventure 🎄🐰
Not sure if I ever get used to the idea of answering questions rather than asking them but Helen made it all feel so easy. Thank you !
Chatting toy bunnies, writing for little humans, publishing tips and more details about our upcoming “Lola mini movie”🎥 this coming Friday.
Signed copies available at The Little Bookshop

Support your local indie this Christmas.
Signed copies of Lola’s Christmas Adventure are now available at the Little Bookshop in Cookham, Berkshire.
We have a growing list of independent bookshops that carry our titles. If you are a bookseller and interested to find out more about the Hop Lola Hop series, do get in touch.
Our books are available via Gardners and BookSource in the UK.
In Australia, our titles are distributed by Woodslane.
For stocking inquiries in the UAE and Middle East, feel free to get in touch directly or reach out to our local distributor CIEL.
Available at Wimbledon Books

Our former local bookshops in Wimbledon Villages continues to support the Hop Lola Hop series.
Support your local indie this Christmas.
Why not visits your favorite bookshop today (they love to see you) and ask about my books.
Featured in Time & Leisure Magazine

Lola’s Christmas Adventure features in the December issue of Wimbledon Time & Leisure Magazine
Signed by the Author At Kinokuniya Dubai Mall

Signed copies of Lola’s Magical Christmas Adventure now available at Books Kinokuniya Dubai Mall.
Purchase your copy online or visit the shop in Dubai Mall
Kirkus Featured: Indies Worth Discovering

November 2023 -Hop Lola Hop features in Kirkus Reviews Magazine ‘Indies Worth Discovering’ Annual Booklist
“Time to go home, little bunny.”

Every story has a home and so does our little toy bunny series.
This Christmas we are thrilled to see Lola and her friend Ella return to the place that provided many happy memories for our young family.
Hop Lola Hop in PW!

September 2023 - Hop Lola Hops features in Publishers Weekly Indie Spotlight
A special mention of second our toy bunny adventure in the September edition of Publishers Weekly Spotlifght
Expatwoman Magazine Interview

Read my interview with Expatwoman, where I talk expat life and the reason I chose to swap a busy newsroom career for the world of children’s books.
Hop Lola Hop at the Emirates LitFest

There’s always time and room for stories wherever you go.
My experience of the 2023 Emirates LitFest has been one filled with memories of many firsts !!!
Being invited as an author … at a literature festival …well, that was a first for me.
Now available at Waterstones Wimbledon & Ealing branches!

We’re thrilled to see Hop Lola Hop has made it on the shelves of Waterstones Ealing and Wimbledon branches.
Signed Copies available at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon

Pick up your signed copy of Hop Lola Hop at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon.
…

Hop Lola Hop

at the Courtyard Playhouse

Hop Lola Hop brought a whirlwind of imagination and laughter to The Courtyard Playhouse, Dubai’s beloved improv theatre! Curious how our toy bunny adventure stole the show? Click HERE to explore the full photo gallery and more moments from stage!!

School Visits

Kathy offers readings, presentations and creative writing workshops for primary school classes. Her visits are fun and interactive and will help stimulate students imagination and develop their creative writing skills and confidence in becoming authors themselves.

For more info, contact: kathyurbantales@gmail.com

“Storytime with Lola & Friends” on Emirates ICE Entertainment

‘Storytime Fun with Lola and Friends’, a brand-new children’s entertainment channel, featuring all of my children’s books, is now available exclusively on Emirates Airlines award-winning ICE entertainment system!

From Page to Stage

Hop Lola Hop at the Emirates LitFest 2023