God's Protection Covers Me

by Amy Houts, David Creighton-Pester (Illustrator)

This lively picture book follows a young boy around a farm as he observes different animals and compares their protective shelters to God's protection. The rhyming text is accompanied by bold, playful illustrations that tell their own story of God's protection as a rain storm causes the boy to seek shelter of his own. A charming book for young children that demonstrates God's constant care.

Genres: Childrens, Christian, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2019

About the author

Amy is the author of 100+ books for children. She writes for both faith-based and general market publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include bath books, Noah's Ark and The Creation, God's Earth is Something to Fight For (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), Christian Q&A Book for Kids (Rockridge Press), and God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics, 2020. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers for Highlights were also released in 2020.

Amy won first place in the Best Children's Picture Book, category from The Missouri Writers' Guild. Sponsored by The Missouri Association of School Librarians in 2024. She won two awards in 2020 for her picture book, God's Protection Covers Me, the Christian Market Children’s Book of the Year, second place, and the Angel Book Award, second place. Her books, activities, and poetry have won the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product Award, Missouri Writers’ Guild Walter William Major Work Award, Creative Child Magazine “Seal of Excellence” Award, and more. As a longtime member of the Missouri Writers Guild (MWG) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Amy enjoys its online community and regional conferences.

Observing young children when Amy taught preschool at Head Start and as a graduate assistant in the Early Childhood Department of Northwest Missouri State University helps her to write authentically. For seven years, Amy taught the course, “Writing for Children & Teenagers,” through the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Amy and her husband, Steve, live in rural Northwest Missouri, an hour from Steve’s family farm. Amy and Steve are the parents of two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Natalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simple rhyming couplets in this book gently reassure little ones of God’s protection, and bright illustrations feature a variety of animals and their homes. Older children will enjoy seeing how many other animal/home combinations they can come up with. This book is one you won’t mind your children asking for again and again, and would make a great baby shower gift!

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Important Message for Little Children

Through simple words about animals on a farm, author Amy Houts helps small children understand GOD’S PROTECTION COVERS ME. Using lyrical rhyming words and vivid illustrations from David Creighton-Pester, children will love this book and parents will love the overall message.

Here’s an example of the rhyming words, “Like a warren for a hare, Or a stable for a mare.” This well-crafted book combines simple words with colorful illustrations. It is a perfect book for young children and something parents can read over and over. I highly recommend GOD’S PROTECTION COVERS ME.

W. Terry Whalin is an editor & the author of more than 60 books.
Straight Talk From the Editor

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

With charming illustrations and lovely rhyming text, this sweet picture book takes children on a walk through the farm where they meet different animals, learn about their habitats, and are reminded of God's care for each of us.
" Like a roof protects a house/ Or a crawl space hides a mouse/ I am safe and worry-free/ God's protection covers me." What a wonderful message for us all!

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! From the illustrations to the message, this is a very special book. I look forward to sharing with our grandson.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in rhyming cuplets, this book reassures children of God's protection for all his creatures, including the reader. Set on a farm with a nature theme, the illustrations are friendly and bright. Animals are shown in nurturing situtations used as similes for God's protection over us.

GOD'S PROTECTION COVERS ME is appropriate for children of all faiths. (The name "Jesus" is never used.)

[June Smalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a simple message about faith for the little ones and is perfect for letting a child know they are loved. In addition, the story takes you around a farm and names the structures, both man made and nature made, that house and protect the animals. The illustrations are bright and full of texture that is really just a joy. Great book all around.

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hout’s adorable nonfiction rhyming picture book shows children in a relatable way how God’s protection covers them. Cute farm and forest animals are shown in their comfy homes of protection just as God’s protection covers us. Not only do kids learn to be worry-free, but they also learn the names of animal homes like a warren or a quonset! This book is a much needed story, especially during the pandemic.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable story and reminder of God’s protection! Easy for kids to learn and relate to the animals and their homes in comparison to God and his love and protection surrounding us. My daughter loved the pictures especially!

[Kristin Lim Storyteller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard about this book through an online interview of the writer Amy Houts with Marketers on a Mission, and I was so intrigued how the story would end. When I finally got to read it, I really loved it. My daughter enjoyed it so much, too. The illustrations are adorable, but the message really brings home the assurance that no matter where we are, God's protection covers us. Although it's for young children's book, it definitely spoke to the child in me, too. Definitely recommend this book!

[Amanda Eastep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a precious book with a reassuring message for children. A farm is the perfect setting to deliver this message, which is told in a simple and comforting rhyme.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, comforting story with fun, bright illustrations! Kids can easily follow along the rhyming text, and anticipate and repeat the refrain with the adult reading.

[Crystal Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and adorable book that children will love. The message is so relevant to today since we are living with much uncertainty. As children visit a variety of farm animals, they learn how God protects and cares for the animals. The comforting message is that God covers us and protects us too. Security is one of a child's basic needs, and this book will help children feel more secure knowing that God loves and protects them.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful message of God’s protection, full of memorable rhymes and colorful illustrations that are sure to capture the attention of reader and listener! It’s one of those books that children will want to listen to over and over again because they’ll be able to read along, filling in the rhyming text, with the help of the great picture clues, giving children confidence as they begin to read.

[Laura Sassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book for my personal collection and to use at Sunday School etc. With spot-on rhyme, Amy Houts does a wonderful job of exploring the concept of God’s protection over us using similes with concrete examples. The illustrations are colorful and just right for littlest ones. Paired with a simple craft, or even just some block building time, this book makes for a great faith-inspired story time.

[Jennifer Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet. I love the illustrations as well as the simple, playful text. (If I were reading this to my kids when they were young, I would have loved being able to pause and talk about some new vocabulary words, like Quonset.) Gender-neutral references to God, a loving message, and very timely in this uncertain time.

[Melissa Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The message behind this book is truly essential for children (and adults) in our world today—in knowing that no matter where you are, God’s protection covers you! This book compares animals and their homes to God’s protection— “Like a roof protects a house or a crawl space hides a mouse, I am safe and worry free...” I would highly recommend this book!

[Brock Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The illustrations are fun and my kids enjoyed hearing this story!

[Lisa Molinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's Protection Covers Me by Amy Houts is one of those children's books that becomes dog-eared over time from reading it to your kids over and over. As you turn the page, your child can read the simple, sweet rhymes. The illustrations may look uncomplicated on first glance but each page has lots of little background items to point out to your children -- frogs, horses, flowers, and other farm scenes -- perfect for practicing words and making each page last. Every parent should have this book in their home library because its beautiful messages that "you are safe" and "God protects you" would put even the most worried child at ease. The perfect bedtime story!

[Peggy Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as their own shelters protect the animals in this book from outside elements, God protects us is the theme of this book. Click the link to hear author, Amy Houts, read her picture book. Like the tone of her book, her voice is soft and re-assuring. Beautiful colorful illustrations add to that feeling. In addition to the warm cozy feeling, readers will also learn about different animal shelters. After reading, go to the author’s website to find activities related to her book. Wonderful book for young children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqeC...
www.AmyHouts.com

[Mindy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to help your pre-school child learn to depend on God’s loving protection? I recommend the latest book by author Amy Houts entitled God’s Protection Covers Me. Released on May 21, it is illustrated by David Creighton Pester, and published by Beaming Books. With darling rhyme, Amy takes readers on a tour through the farm. Children will delight meeting each new animal friend and learning about its home. By using a simple metaphor that children can understand, Amy shows young readers that they can depend on God to protect them from harm.

[Kim Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed gifting this book and reading it to my grandson. This is such a sweet book to share with young children, to share that God is in all things and is our place of security. Well written and well illustrated. This book should be in all daycare, Sunday school, and nursery libraries. Amy Houts has a gift.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Houts and David Creighton-Pester have produced is age-appropriate story that gives concrete examples to help a child (or grown-up) understand God's protection in their lives. The text is simple and has a beautiful cadence, plus Creighton-Pester's illustrations have a wealth of vibrant details for little readers to explore. It's a comforting reminder for all ages to enjoy and appreciate.

[Ruth Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and very needed book for today’s little ones! Well crafted rhymes and cute illustrations show all kinds of homes and shelters in nature and translate easily to our homes - and even umbrellas - making it clear how God does the same for each of us. Love this book!!
In such anxious times this is PERFECT for little ones.

- Ruth E Harper, illustrator of The Kissing Hand

[Kate Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 3

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I loved this book! The author did a beautiful job of connecting the abstract concept of God's protection to something familiar like animal's shelter and a parent's protection. We also learned about some animals and their homes throughout the book. And the illustrations are wonderful!

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super sweet book, a perfect introduction to the concept of God as our protector. The bold, colorful illustrations have a textured appearance and are the perfect complement to this charming rhyming text.

[MaryFran Stransky · Rating 5 out of 5]

'God's Protection Covers Me' is an absolutely adorable book! The story written by Amy Houts and illustrated by David Creighton-Pester is a fun read and so sweet to share with children. I have purchased two of these books, one for my own bookshelves and one as a Baptism gift. a one-word review would be "Precious!"