The House the Fool Built
The wind is rising. The waves are coming. Will the house stand?
The wise man looking up at the rocky cliff where he will build his house.
PICTURE BOOK • Ages 4–8 • 32 pages • Full color • Coming Spring 2027
In this joyful cumulative retelling of Jesus’ parable, children will delight in chiming in with the growing refrain as the storm rages across the shore. From the foolish man’s house built on shifting sand, to the wise man’s family home standing firm on the rock after the fiercest storm, The House the Fool Built transforms this Bible story into a read-aloud children will want to hear again and again.
This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces one of Jesus’ best-loved parables in a fresh, memorable way. Engaging repetition, rhythmic rhyme, and rich watercolor illustrations bring this timeless lesson to life, reminding young readers that a life built on a strong foundation can weather every storm.
Text by CJ Penland
Illustrations by Nan Hickam Hunt
Our Kickstarter prelaunch campaign page is live! We plan a full launch in February 2027. Follow the campaign for behind-the-scenes artwork, preview pages, and publication updates as this book comes to life!
Get a FREE House the Fool Built bookmark when you join our mailing list before the book’s campaign ends! (We’ll be in touch after the campaign to send your bookmark.)
Peek Inside!
This is the house the fool built.
This is the strand all filled with sand
That lay under the house the fool built.
This is the storm from lands far away,
Blowing in strong from across the bay,
Whipping the wind across the strand,
Swirling and whirling and full of the sand
That lay under the house the fool built.
From the Stacks
The House That Jack Built—full text with illustrations
Word in Hand Press is an independent publisher producing well-crafted books for children, families, and lifelong learners, from picture books to cozy adult, as well as nonfiction resources for parents and educators. We also offer our Stacks—a growing collection of essays on literature, children’s literature, craftsmanship, writing, publishing, and topics of interest to lifelong learners.
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