God's Protection Covers Me
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The Story Behind the Story of God's Protection Covers Me
This story behind the story starts long ago, when I was a child. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Christmas was my way in, was my introduction to Jesus. My Jewish family celebrated Hannukah and Christmas. We decorated a Christmas tree and listened to carols sung by Harry Belafonte. But it wasn’t until I was in college that I believed the nativity story was true.
After getting married, I started writing. While at home watching my baby girl, Emily, it felt natural to write about another baby, Jesus. I wrote a poem, “The Five Senses of Christmas.” The St. Louis-based magazine, Alive! for Young Teens, published it in 1985 and paid me $5. I couldn’t have been happier. Someone else (besides my parents) thought my work was worth publishing.
Eight years later another dream came true. My first picture book—you guessed it! A Christmas-themed book--An A*B*C Christmas, was published by Standard Publishing. My editor at Standard, Diane Stortz, suggested a topic for my next book, “God’s Big Umbrella.” I loved that image! Comparing an umbrella keeping off the rain was the perfect symbol to explain to a child (and to myself) how God’s protection worked. I tried, but it didn’t come together. Off and on over the years, I tried to develop the concept of God’s big umbrella covering us from the rainstorms of life, but it didn’t work. Not until 2016.
By then, my “baby” Emily had a family of her own, twin boys and a girl on the way. I process things by writing them down. I felt so much love for my grandchildren. Living hours away from them (with no plans to move closer) was cause for concern. I longed to feel calmer, and again, tried working on the idea Diane had suggested, God’s umbrella of protection. It gave me lots of comfort. But, as it turned out, it wasn’t the image of an umbrella that inspired me. As I listened to the rain beating on the roof as I sat warm and cozy inside the house, I knew how to begin my book.
Like a roof protects a house,
Or a crawl space for a mouse,
I am safe and worry-free.
God’s protection covers me.
The story built from there following a little boy as he discovers animal homes on a farm and in nature, comparing them to God’s protection. Of course, I had to include the umbrella! It’s starts raining and the boy’s mother comes out to protect him from the rain. I have to smile describing that line. My husband grew up on a farm, did chores in the rain, and told me, “My mother never brought out an umbrella!”
In 2017, I received a contract from Sparkhouse Family (now Beaming Books). My insightful editor, Naomi Krueger, suggested the narrative center around the boy making his way home. I loved her idea. So the roof was moved to the end. We start with “Like a barn protects a cow...” And because my husband was a hog farmer, I rhymed the first line with, “…Or a Quonset for a sow.”
I was so honored that Mandy Arioto, President and CEO, MOPS International endorsed my book: “A charming book filled with truth that every kid needs to hear. This is my top children’s book pick of the year.”
(Note: MOPS stands for "Mother's of Preschoolers." See www.mops.org.)
The book was released in 2019, but was especially in 2020. Looking to God for strength, knowing that He protects us, heart and soul and spirit, still gives me comfort, especially during that difficult year due to COVID-19. My hope is that readers take away the feeling of safety, peace, and joy that is offered by God’s protective care.
After getting married, I started writing. While at home watching my baby girl, Emily, it felt natural to write about another baby, Jesus. I wrote a poem, “The Five Senses of Christmas.” The St. Louis-based magazine, Alive! for Young Teens, published it in 1985 and paid me $5. I couldn’t have been happier. Someone else (besides my parents) thought my work was worth publishing.
Eight years later another dream came true. My first picture book—you guessed it! A Christmas-themed book--An A*B*C Christmas, was published by Standard Publishing. My editor at Standard, Diane Stortz, suggested a topic for my next book, “God’s Big Umbrella.” I loved that image! Comparing an umbrella keeping off the rain was the perfect symbol to explain to a child (and to myself) how God’s protection worked. I tried, but it didn’t come together. Off and on over the years, I tried to develop the concept of God’s big umbrella covering us from the rainstorms of life, but it didn’t work. Not until 2016.
By then, my “baby” Emily had a family of her own, twin boys and a girl on the way. I process things by writing them down. I felt so much love for my grandchildren. Living hours away from them (with no plans to move closer) was cause for concern. I longed to feel calmer, and again, tried working on the idea Diane had suggested, God’s umbrella of protection. It gave me lots of comfort. But, as it turned out, it wasn’t the image of an umbrella that inspired me. As I listened to the rain beating on the roof as I sat warm and cozy inside the house, I knew how to begin my book.
Like a roof protects a house,
Or a crawl space for a mouse,
I am safe and worry-free.
God’s protection covers me.
The story built from there following a little boy as he discovers animal homes on a farm and in nature, comparing them to God’s protection. Of course, I had to include the umbrella! It’s starts raining and the boy’s mother comes out to protect him from the rain. I have to smile describing that line. My husband grew up on a farm, did chores in the rain, and told me, “My mother never brought out an umbrella!”
In 2017, I received a contract from Sparkhouse Family (now Beaming Books). My insightful editor, Naomi Krueger, suggested the narrative center around the boy making his way home. I loved her idea. So the roof was moved to the end. We start with “Like a barn protects a cow...” And because my husband was a hog farmer, I rhymed the first line with, “…Or a Quonset for a sow.”
I was so honored that Mandy Arioto, President and CEO, MOPS International endorsed my book: “A charming book filled with truth that every kid needs to hear. This is my top children’s book pick of the year.”
(Note: MOPS stands for "Mother's of Preschoolers." See www.mops.org.)
The book was released in 2019, but was especially in 2020. Looking to God for strength, knowing that He protects us, heart and soul and spirit, still gives me comfort, especially during that difficult year due to COVID-19. My hope is that readers take away the feeling of safety, peace, and joy that is offered by God’s protective care.
What People Are Saying about God's Protection Covers Me
“A charming book filled with truth that every kid needs to hear. This is my top children’s book pick of the year.”
-- Mandy Arioto, President and CEO, MOPS International
(MOPS stands for "Mother's of Preschoolers." See www.mops.org.)
To Purchase, click on any of these online retailers or order from your local bookstore.
Beaming Books, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, ChristianBook, Amazon
"Amy Houts’s gentle poetry soothes and reassures and is the perfect sit-in-your-lap snuggle-up story. The colorful, textured illustrations invite us into homes from burrow to nest and enhance the mood from sunny sun-up to rainy day coziness."
-- Susan Eaddy, Author of Poppy’s Best Paper and Poppy’s Best Babies (Charlesbridge- illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet)
"The rhyming text and colorful illustrations beautifully support the simple faith-based message of trusting that God’s protection always surrounds us."
-- Kristi Holl, author of Finding God in Tough Times (Zonderkidz)
"With fun vibrant images, clever rhymes and evident imagination, Amy Houts has written an essential book for young readers and adults alike providing a fresh reminder and encouraging truth of God’s protection. A must-have for parents dedicated to teaching their children the simple and powerful truths of God’s daily love and protection."
-- Bradley Williams, Executive Minister, Forum Christian Church, Columbia, Missouri
Click here for a FREE Activity Packet with two matching games, two coloring pages, a recipe, and more!
"Amy has done it again by creating a treasured family classic my kids always come back to again and again. I find myself reaching for this book when my kids (or myself for that matter) need that simple sweet reminder of God’s constant promises and provision."
--Kate Williams, Family Physician and mom of three
"Gentle rhymes & delightful artwork -- God’s love and care for allof creation –big and small -- come shining through! This book is like a warm hug from God."
-- Michele Moon, Pastor’s spouse, 1st United Methodist Church, Spiritual Director, and grandmother of eight
"What a sweet story of God's protection for all creatures. This book will encourage young readers to know that God delights in caring for all of God's creation, and they might even learn some new words along the way too! Most of all, God's desire for children to feel safe and loved is clear through Amy's storytelling."
-- Rev. Emily L. Stirewalt (serving Methodist churches in La Monte and Green Ridge, Missouri)
“A charming book filled with truth that every kid needs to hear. This is my top children’s book pick of the year.”
-- Mandy Arioto, President and CEO, MOPS International
(MOPS stands for "Mother's of Preschoolers." See www.mops.org.)
To Purchase, click on any of these online retailers or order from your local bookstore.
Beaming Books, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, ChristianBook, Amazon
"Amy Houts’s gentle poetry soothes and reassures and is the perfect sit-in-your-lap snuggle-up story. The colorful, textured illustrations invite us into homes from burrow to nest and enhance the mood from sunny sun-up to rainy day coziness."
-- Susan Eaddy, Author of Poppy’s Best Paper and Poppy’s Best Babies (Charlesbridge- illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet)
"The rhyming text and colorful illustrations beautifully support the simple faith-based message of trusting that God’s protection always surrounds us."
-- Kristi Holl, author of Finding God in Tough Times (Zonderkidz)
"With fun vibrant images, clever rhymes and evident imagination, Amy Houts has written an essential book for young readers and adults alike providing a fresh reminder and encouraging truth of God’s protection. A must-have for parents dedicated to teaching their children the simple and powerful truths of God’s daily love and protection."
-- Bradley Williams, Executive Minister, Forum Christian Church, Columbia, Missouri
Click here for a FREE Activity Packet with two matching games, two coloring pages, a recipe, and more!
"Amy has done it again by creating a treasured family classic my kids always come back to again and again. I find myself reaching for this book when my kids (or myself for that matter) need that simple sweet reminder of God’s constant promises and provision."
--Kate Williams, Family Physician and mom of three
"Gentle rhymes & delightful artwork -- God’s love and care for allof creation –big and small -- come shining through! This book is like a warm hug from God."
-- Michele Moon, Pastor’s spouse, 1st United Methodist Church, Spiritual Director, and grandmother of eight
"What a sweet story of God's protection for all creatures. This book will encourage young readers to know that God delights in caring for all of God's creation, and they might even learn some new words along the way too! Most of all, God's desire for children to feel safe and loved is clear through Amy's storytelling."
-- Rev. Emily L. Stirewalt (serving Methodist churches in La Monte and Green Ridge, Missouri)
Links to Amy's Author Interviews, Book Reviews, and More
Laura Sassi Tales
The Gingham Apron
Mindy Baker Books
Amy's Blog (with guest blogger Susan Eaddy)
Amazon listing
Barnes & Noble
ChristianBook
Target