Penny Preaches - by Amy Dixon & Rob Dixon (Hardcover)

About the Book

Penny loves the sermon on Sunday because she loves to think about big things. But when preaching from the front porch to her friends doesn't turn out quite as she expected, Penny wonders if she was wrong to want to teach others about God. Written by Amy and Rob Dixon, Penny's story reminds us that God gives good gifts to everyone!

Book Synopsis

2025 American Fiction Awards Finalist - Children's Religious

2025 Independent Press Awards - Childrens: Christian Fiction

2025 Illumination Award Gold Medal

Celebrating God's Gifts for Everyone

Penny began to wonder, "Could I tell stories that help people think about big things? Could I teach God's words to others?"

Penny loves Sundays. Her favorite part? The sermon! Captivated by the idea of speaking God's words, Penny is inspired to preach herself. But when preaching from the front porch to her friends doesn't turn out quite as she expected, Penny wonders if she was wrong to want to teach others about God.

Penny receives a heartwarming reminder that God's gifts are for everyone, and she learns valuable lessons about sharing God's message--and what it means to use the gifts He has given her. This story invites children into a vision of a church where everyone's gifts can shine.

What Makes This Book Special?

• A Message of Empowerment: Penny's story celebrates the gifts God has given to all His children.
• Joyful Illustrations: Bright, colorful illustrations bring Penny's adventures to life.
• Encouragement for Big Conversations: Penny Preaches includes a thoughtful note from the authors to start discussions about God's gifts.

Written by Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon, and featuring delightful illustrations from Jennifer Davison, Penny's story reminds us that God gives good gifts to everyone. Discover how Penny's story can foster conversations about God's gifts in your home, classroom, or church-get your copy of Penny Preaches today!

Review Quotes

"Penny Preaches is an absolute delight! God has given little Penny a love for God's Word, a deep mind, and a heart to proclaim--who will give her the microphone? This is a book to inspire children, but it may have the unexpected effect of inspiring some parents and caregivers (like me) to imagine and dream about bigger and better things for the church today."

--Nijay Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, author of Tell Her Story, and parent of three

"A powerful and poignant book, inviting readers to grow their God-given gifts. Through vivid prose and a relatable story, the authors help remind us that preaching is a good gift we all can exercise."

--Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Bible teacher, coach, and author

"Amy is AWESOME! I'm excited for another Dixon book."

--Jessica Kulekjian, children's author and educator

"As a parent, I fell in love with Penny. As a pastor, I fell in love with the message of this book! Penny's courage, her parents' care, and the pastor's encouragement when Penny meets her near the book's end filled me with joy. To any little girls out there wondering if God might be calling them to preach: spend some time with Penny and the God who loves her, and you may find your answer."

--Courtney Ellis, pastor and author of Looking Up: A Birder's Guide to Hope Through Grief

"Beautifully illustrated and moving readers to tears, Penny Preaches is a call to action: 'Use your voice. You are called!' Let's get behind the Pennys in our lives. Thank you and well done, Rob, Amy, and Jennifer!"

--Mimi Haddad, president of CBE International

"I'm so glad that children will have this book to help them imagine how all of us, regardless of gender, can be faithful to our callings."

--Beth Felker Jones, professor of theology at Northern Seminary

"In Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon's picture book, a youngster is excited to preach to her friends, but she learns that not everyone is happy when a girl's in the pulpit...This Christian children's book offers readers a message of love, inclusivity, and vocation that even the youngest church members will understand...This bright, colorful kids' book effectively preaches a positive message."

--Kirkus Reviews

"This book brings tears to my eyes! As I read this charming, empowering story, I think of all the women called to preach who have experienced barriers and the ways they have had to overcome them. How refreshing it will be for a new generation of young pastors-to-be (and the adults in their lives!) to read Penny Preaches and feel confident that they are unequivocally gifted and called by God to use their voices to build and bless the body of Christ. The church will be stronger for this inspiring story, engagingly written by Amy and Rob Dixon and delightfully illustrated by Jennifer Davison. Thanks be to God!"

--Liz Testa, director of women's transformation and leadership, Reformed Church in America

"When I was a small child, I heard God whisper to me, 'I've got a job for you to do, ' but because I had never seen a woman preach, I never knew that might be the job God had in mind for me. I am overjoyed to be able to endorse Penny Preaches--a book I hope will broaden the imagination of all the young children God is calling to be future leaders of God's church."

--April Fiet, copastor of First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and author of The Sacred Pulse: Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls

About the Author

Rob Dixon is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships. In addition to serving on InterVarsity staff for more than twenty-six years, Rob teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and Fresno Pacific University. In his free time, Rob enjoys pickleball, long runs, and cheering for the LA Dodgers.

Amy Dixon is the author of three picture books--Maurice the Unbeastly, Sophie's Animal Parade, and Marathon Mouse--as well as a middle grade novel. When she's not writing, she is editing and marketing other people's books. She writes from her home in Clovis, California, where she lives on a steady diet of popcorn and coffee.

Jennifer Davison is a renowned artist who has illustrated over fifty picture books that have been translated into eighteen different languages! She spends most of her time illustrating faith-based books and stories from the Bible, including the Very Best Bible Stories series and God's Big Promises Bible Storybook. You can find out more about Jennifer and her work at www.jensketches.com.