<![CDATA[amyhouts.com - Amy\'s Book Bag]]>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:34:26 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[This Isn't Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 22:55:31 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/this-isnt-shakespeare-by-stephanie-cardel
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This Isn’t Shakespeare is a YA romance novel that asks the most important questions in a teenage girl’s life related to her career, future husband, and relationship with God. There are no easy answers for the 17-year-old main character, Madison, who longs to dance in a professional ballet company, but whose mother wants her to be a teacher. Author Stephanie Cardel deftly navigates these issues but doesn’t shy away from them. You’ll find witty dialogue, dreamy Shakespeare quotes, and inspiring Scripture throughout. The plot twists and turns will tug at your heartstrings with Madison’s bad choices, but you will root for this strong heroine as she tries to find her happy ending. YA Christian romance at its best!  Highly recommended!
]]><![CDATA[The World's BEST Christmas Light by Chelsea Tornetto]]>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/the-worlds-best-christmas-light-by-chelsea-tornettoThe World’s Best Christmas Light: A fun family tradition written in rhyme ends with a sweet Christian message of Jesus being the light of the world. Fun novelty element of a light, the star, that turns on will enthrall kids and drive home the message. Even though it’s a board book, target age group is 3 and up (not the usually 0-3 years). So much fun!
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]]><![CDATA[God’s Great Love: Bedtime Blessings series by Glenys Nellist]]>Sat, 22 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/gods-great-love-bedtime-blessings-series-by-glenys-nellist
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What a sweet book! Based on Ephesians 3:18, it shows children how wide, long, high, and deep God's love is for them.  The gentle rhymes read like a reassuring hug. Charming illustrations of zebras, dolphins, pandas and other adorable animals with their young emphasize the parent-child bond. The last page includes additional Scripture verses, encouraging parents to say a blessing for their child. Looking forward to seeing the other books in the series. I read a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 
]]><![CDATA[The Christmas That Almost Wasn't]]>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 22:20:41 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/the-christmas-that-almost-wasnt
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What happens when there's an ice storm before Christmas? Find out in this gentle book. Aiden is excited about Grandma and Grandpa visiting and playing the star in the Christmas play. Even though there are disappointments, there are blessings, too. The world changes inside and out. Everything sparkles. The community comes together in an unexpected way, and Aiden gains insight into how he is connected to the Christmas story in the "marvelous, mysterious mix." Laura Alary's lyrical language evokes a mood and a message, one of hope where God is present even in the darkness. Thank you to Beaming Books for the complimentary copy of this book.
]]><![CDATA[Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle by Laura Sassi]]>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/pumpkin-day-for-boo-and-belle-by-laura-sassiPicture
In this sweet autumn story of two animal friends, Boo and Belle, a mix-up almost spoils their friendship. Belle is cleaning and baking treats for her annual Pumpkin Day tea. Boo thinks Belle didn’t invite him this year. He doesn’t know the invitation got lost in the mail. The book ends happily when Belle goes looking for Boo and they realize what happened. Plus, there’s twist, but I don’t want to give it away. Thankfulness is the theme of the Bible verses that begin and end the book. Thank you to Paraclete Press for the complimentary copy of this book.
]]><![CDATA[One Perfect Plan by Nancy Tupper Ling]]>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/one-perfect-plan-by-nancy-tupper-lingThe name says it all! One Perfect Plan is the perfect way to introduce young children to the Bible. It touches upon important Bible stories repeating the word “one.” The book opens with one word, one garden, one serpent, and one God. Rhyming couplets summarize the Bible’s big stories. Scripture references point to passages to read more. It’s an amazing overview! The illustrations by Alina Chau capture the Bible’s wonder and majesty. Thanks to the author, Nancy Tupper Ling, for the complimentary copy of this book.
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]]><![CDATA[Arty by Penny Schneider]]>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/arty-by-penny-schneiderThe whole time I read the graphic novel Arty I was smiling. It’s full of humor and heart. Arty is a lonely fish who wants a friend. But Arty is also a Betta fish, and Betta fish are not supposed to have friends; they are supposed to fight. This 102-page book can be enjoyed on several levels. Young children will enjoy swimming with Arty to find the wise snail to ask about friendship. Older children will get the jokes. Along the way, Arty meets a slug who becomes his friend, although it takes Arty a little while to realize it. The artwork by author-illustrator Penny Schneider was full of expression and movement and fun! Back matter includes "bloopers" and fun facts about both Betta fish and slugs. Thank you Monarch Educational Services for the digital copy of this book.]]><![CDATA[God's Little Oceanographer by Tina Cho]]>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/gods-little-oceanographer-by-tina-choPicture
I love the way this book inspires and teaches not only about the ocean but about God's love as well as our responsibility to care of the ocean. The book is made of three parts, the story, information, and Bible verse. All three fit together perfectly. The illustrations by Marta Alvarez Miguens are charming. So glad I received a review copy. Highly recommended!
]]><![CDATA[Let's Go! Bible Adventures by Valerie Ellis]]>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/lets-go-bible-adventures-by-valerie-ellis
We have twin grandsons who loved transportation vehicles when they were little. They would have loved Let's Go! Bible Stories! What a creative way to get kids interested in the Bible. I love the comparison from ancient ways of transportation to modern day. I love the format indicating the Scripture reference, rhyming verse, question, and "What Else?" I love framing a child's walk with God as an "adventure." This is a great introduction to the Bible!
]]><![CDATA[Rise: A Child's Guide to Eastertide by Laura Alary]]>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.amyhouts.com/amys-book-bag/rise-a-childs-guide-to-eastertide-by-laura-alaryPicture
Rise: A Child’s Guide to Eastertide by Laura Alary was a joy to read. Written in lyrical prose, it explores two realities, the Easter Story that happened when Jesus died and the Easter Story we live today. She gives the reader space to look and learn and wonder. The book is separated into five chapters: In the Garden, At the Table, One the Beach, In Everything, and Easter People. Each one explores the theme in a way that is both profound and easily understood. Her book is gentle, like a hug, but it’s powerful, too. It gives the big picture of Easter by comparing Bible stories to modern scenes. The illustrations are beautiful, soft, almost dreamlike. What a wonderful addition to the Circle of Wonder series. I am thankful and honored I was given a free digital copy of this book to write a review. ​
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