Blog Posts - amyhouts.com

One Perfect Plan by Nancy Tupper Ling

9/17/2025

The 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.

Arty by Penny Schneider

8/5/2025

The 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.

God's Little Oceanographer by Tina Cho

7/10/2025

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!

The Seed's Price: Releasing Treasure for Something Better (The Gold Feather Gardeners) by Erin Greneaux, illustrated by Taisiia Kolisnyk

3/20/2025

Erin and I are in the same writing critique group, so I heard this book read aloud to me when she was writing it. I was enthralled. Erin’s writing is so imaginative, so full of faith and promise, yet so accessible and relevant for tween girls. The Seed’s Price is Book 4 in The Gold Feather Gardeners series. The whole series is wonderful. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis’ Lion, Witch & Wardrobe series. Highly recommended!
• 2025 Golden Scrolls Book Awards Winner-- 2nd Place Youth Book Of The Year
• 2025 Christian Market Book Awards Finalist
• 2025 Christian Indie Book Awards Finalist

Let's Go! Bible Adventures by Valerie Ellis

2/4/2025

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!

Rise: A Child's Guide to Eastertide by Laura Alary

1/14/2025

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.

Faithful Feet by Laura Sassi

1/7/2025

What a fun book! Talking about the Bible and all kinds of feet--including stinky feet!--is a different way to introduce young children to the Bible. The rhyming verse starts out in present day focusing on the feet theme. Then quickly introduces the Bible starting with the comforting story in the Old Testament of Noah (and his hairy feet) keeping God's creatures safe. After a few other OT stories, the book progresses to the New Testament with Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. I love the way the book then brings the reader back to present day: "And ever since that Easter Day, Christ's followers have found a way with faithful feet from place to place to spread God's love and share God's grace." The illustrations represent a number of children so everyone will be able to relate. Faithful Feet offers a new way to connect with the Bible and a great addition to Bible story retellings!

The Compassion Storybook Bible by Crystal Bowman and Sue Schlesman

11/8/2024

If you have young children, The Compassion Storybook Bible is a great introduction to important people in both the Old and New Testaments. I love the adorable illustrations by Sue Schlesman. Author Crystal Bowman’s retellings are engaging and written on a level young children can understand. Each chapter focuses on a Bible character. Lots of value in these 200 pages including “Talk About It” questions, a simple prayer, and Scripture basis. Highly recommended!

A Must For Writers!

10/26/2024

Creating a character arc is a complex process, and StoryJoules is the best resource I've found to successfully understand a character's journey. It's genius! I've been writing for over 40 years and have authored 100+ books. I listened to a free webinar from Jane Friedman where Jule Kucera explained her concept in detail and offered a free PDF. StoryJoules goes through the process with graphics, text, and examples that helped me understand a character's story arc better than any other book I've read--and my shelves are lined with books on how to write. While StoryJoules is best for adult fiction or memoir, the strategies can be applied to any target age group or genre. Highly recommended!

The Christmas Elephant by Maria Antonia

9/25/2024

I gave The Christmas Elephant five stars on Amazon. This unique, delightful retelling of the nativity story feature children performing a Christmas play, but there's a twist. Ellie wants to be an elephant and there were no elephants in the manger when Jesus was born. With gentle conflict and lots of heart, this story will stay with you a long time after you read it, much like the young elephant who never forgets. As you can see the cover, the illustrations by Laura Zarrin are charming. Destined to be added to your cherished collection of Christmas read-alouds. I was given a free copy for helping promote this book. So glad I was! Maria used elements from her own life as a stage manager and perfectionist along with her niece's love of elephants to write this book. A sweet story you will want to read each Christmas. Just released from Paraclete Press, this debut from Maria is a treasure!