About Us
Our history
The Riley Family
Did you know?
Lydia's little children (Cherith, David, Bethany, and Hebron) grew up with these endearing tales and loved hearing a new story about Holly, Molly, Polly, Dolly, and Jolley nearly every day!
Late one night, once her little ones were asleep, it was as if the Lord spoke to her heart that she must get up and write a series of children's boo
Lydia's little children (Cherith, David, Bethany, and Hebron) grew up with these endearing tales and loved hearing a new story about Holly, Molly, Polly, Dolly, and Jolley nearly every day!
Late one night, once her little ones were asleep, it was as if the Lord spoke to her heart that she must get up and write a series of children's books about this mouse family that she used so often to help her children grow in needed Biblical character traits. She could not go back to sleep until the entire series was written -- this was 20 years ago.
Try as she might through the years of busy motherhood, homeschooling, and running a large MLM business, Lydia could never seem to connect with an illustrator. In 2021, through a series of events and providential conversations, God miraculously led her to award-winning Artist and Illustrator -- Lynda Slattery!
Lynda is also a mother and was able to capture the very characters, as if pulling them from Lydia's heart, and sketch them into existence. Lynda's watercolors are heart-touching with their sweet and innocent charm. Lynda and Lydia are faithfully working together to get all six delightful children's stories fully illustrated and published.
In 2022, Lydia entered a unique partnership with Antioch Printing Ministry with Jolley's Tail, A Lesson In Obedience. This first book was published in story card format for churches, schools, teachers, home-school moms, missionaries, etc and is being used in countries around the world as a free ministry resource.
Holly's Hobby, A Lesson in Kindness was published in 2023 by Seasons of Life Publications, along with Jolley's Tail, A Lesson in Obedience and both are now available for purchase in paperback format. Lydia's original Dream has come true with seeing the recent printing of the beautiful Large Hardback Legacy Edition - now available for your family!
In early 2023, just days after the unexpected loss of her huge MLM business of over 20 years, a pastor's wife confronted Lydia about turning Jolley Tales into an actual business. She challenged Lydia to expand into a business mindset (while keeping the ministry mindset for foreign missions) to provide an array of wholesome materials for children -- using the characters and artwork of the beloved books! Thus, the idea was born.
This seed idea rang true in Lydia's heart with the confirmation "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The Riley Family met to discuss the proposition, and with unanimous approval, Jolley Tales, Inc. was born!
The Riley's know that the Lord loves to use little things to show just how BIG He is ... they can hardly wait to see how He will use these Character Building Stories and products to hopefully bless YOUR family!
Did you know?
The Riley Family
Did you know?
When Lydia first wrote these delightful children's stories, each of her children were associated to a mouse in the family ...
Jolley was David,
Holly and Molly were a mix of Cherith,
Polly and Dolly were a mix of Bethany.
The baby Lolly, who was added to the family miraculously later on, was Hebron.
She would use these characters to relate
When Lydia first wrote these delightful children's stories, each of her children were associated to a mouse in the family ...
Jolley was David,
Holly and Molly were a mix of Cherith,
Polly and Dolly were a mix of Bethany.
The baby Lolly, who was added to the family miraculously later on, was Hebron.
She would use these characters to relate to their everyday lives and issues of the heart needing to be dealt with throughout each day.
As little children, Jolley's family seemed almost real! It was as if they lived in the tree out by their creek, creeping in to visit each night and listen in on the stories about their own little family adventures!
These were such special days of motherhood and Lydia considers it a true joy to share these characters and stories with you and your little children!
It is her desire that Jolley and his family, through your child's imagination, become a vivid and special part of your sons and daughters' childhood as well -- all while instilling moral and character values in these sweet formative years! Please enjoy and share our character building stories and products with everyone you know!
The Riley Family
The Riley Family
The Riley Family
We are a very close-knit family and consider ourselves very blessed. We have experienced so many miracles and milestones along this amazing journey of life together. The struggles and devastating losses have made us stronger and closer and have allowed us to see the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father in a very distinct way. The Lord h
We are a very close-knit family and consider ourselves very blessed. We have experienced so many miracles and milestones along this amazing journey of life together. The struggles and devastating losses have made us stronger and closer and have allowed us to see the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father in a very distinct way. The Lord has also uniquely led us to this path of Jolley Tales, Inc and we are so excited to see His plans unfold! We hope to bless your family with these unique Character building stories and products!
My adult children are faithful, dedicated, and respected for their godly character. Now it is time to reach out a hand to the little ones coming up behind them, and give the same type of resources and character-building lessons and delightful children's stories that they were privileged to have as little children. We wish to provide materials that are wholesome and pure for families seeking to develop the next generation with Biblical character traits. We wish to leave a legacy.
~ Lydia Riley,
Founder Jolley Tales, Inc.
Note: Lydia homeschooled her children for 9 year before they entered into private education and has been involved in teaching and young children's ministries for over 30 years.
Cherith, her oldest daughter is a 3rd generation Christian School Teacher.
They know the need for high-quality moral resources in today's market and wish to fulfill that niche, especially with pre-school and early elementary children.