Creative God, Colorful Us by Trillia J. Newbell

Creative God, Colorful Us Reviews

• 
  Becky

  I honestly can’t think of any other person on the planet who could address such difficult, divisive topics with such joy and delight. This little book is so fun and easy to read, but don’t be fooled by its simplicity. The content is critically important and rich with theological truth.
• 
  Sarah

  I will be reading this book to my future kids!
  
  I heard Ttillia Newbelltalk at an online writers conference I attended and I knew I wanted to read her books. While there are other books by her I want to read, I started with this one. I loved it because it wasn't a book written to teach white kids how to love people of color. It was a book written to kids about how God loves them, how sin corrupts how we see each other, and how to show love to people who are different from we are. I loved it because this book is a great way to open up conversations about not only color differences, but intellectual, or physical differences and help kids to see that even though a person looks or sounds different, they are still loved and valued by God.
  
  Thank you, Newbell, for creating this great resource!
• 
  Aaron

  How can we teach our children to embrace our God-given differences? How will they learn to love the nations and reach others for the Gospel? In Creative God Colorful Us, Trillia Newbell shares how our differences are good and how God wants us to love one another.
  
  The Gospel on Full Display
  
  Newbell writes directly to her intended audience of grade-schoolers, explaining Bible passages that help us see God’s plan for a big, diverse, colorful family. The Gospel is on full display, and Newbell writes in a winsome and wonderful way. She will help you capture the hearts and minds (and attention) of your children to point them to Jesus and what it means to be in the family of God.
  
  The book moves from learning to love our Savior to loving our neighbors. The Church is championed in this book, and it is here where Newbell makes the connection of having brothers and sisters in Christ from all around the world. She warns that “our differences aren’t sinful, but the way we treat each other because of our differences can be.” This is an important message that must be communicated to our children today.
  
  A Future Home Filled with Beautiful Diversity
  
  The book ends by focusing our gaze on Heaven, asking us to look towards a future home filled with diversity and beauty and our best friends forever. And we can take steps toward that future now, by getting to know others, being kind to others, inviting others to events, and learning about others. We can love each other despite our differences.
  
  With sections on helpful words to know, discussion questions, suggested activities, Bible verses for further reading, and highlighted big ideas – there is something for everyone in this book. And at the end, she pleads with parents to be “colorsmart” – as opposed to being “colorblind” – so we can rightfully celebrate God’s creation.
  
  Created in the Image of God
  
  Parents who wish to teach their children and speak to their family about important topics of the faith will find this book to be a favorite. It is clear and concise, with great questions and conversation-starters. I can’t forget to mention the beautiful paintings throughout the book by Chase Williamson. The book is a literal work of art.
  
  This book is also perfect for Sunday School classes or children’s groups. It speaks to our current cultural moment in a Biblical way that young students can understand. And it will refresh teachers and parents on the fundamentals of what it means to be created and loved in the image of God.
  
  I received a media copy of Creative God, Colorful Us and this is my honest review.
• 
  Panda Incognito

  Trillia Newbell designed this book for children from the ages of eight to twelve, and invites them to consider how they can learn to love people who are different from them. She writes in an engaging style, and the illustrations from Chase Williamson are colorful and inviting. The book is easy to read, and each chapter has one big idea, clear vocabulary explanations, fun illustrations, and discussion questions and activity ideas at the end. Children can read this book on their own or with their parents, and it could also be great in a Sunday school or children's church setting.
  
  Creative God, Colorful Us focuses on issues of race through the lens of the gospel. Newbell explains that we are all created in God's image, have equal value and worth, and experience division and conflict in our world because of sin. She encourages kids to place their faith in Jesus as their rescuer, and shows how God can work in our hearts to help us love the people around us. With this gospel foundation, she shares practical, basic advice for how children can understand diversity, recognize areas of sameness and difference, and get to know people who are different from them. She also encourages children to consider the diversity of heaven, in which we will represent every nation, tribe, and tongue. Because our differences are so important to God that they will follow us to heaven, she explains, we should honor them on earth as well.
  
  Newbell adds a note for parents at the end, and encourages them to avoid the language of "colorblindness," since God created color on purpose and does not intend for us to ignore our differences. She recommends the language of being "colorsmart" instead, saying that we can recognize our differences in ways that are loving to other people and show interest in their lives. This is a great book for parents to use to start conversations with their kids about race, and even though the book does not address racial history or the specific conflicts that continue to play out in America and in the world today, it is a solid guide for Christian parents who want to give their children a positive awareness of diversity.
  
  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Monica H (TeaandBooks)

  All we have to do is look around and we can see that God made us all differently. We have different hair colors, different body shapes and different abilities. We are also different colors. In Creative God Colorful Us, Trillia Newbell helps middle grade students understand our differences and to celebrate them--as all of us are God's children in His family.
  
  Creative God Colorful Us starts out with a letter from Newbell explaining why she wrote the book and how to use it. There are seven chapters. Each chapter is framed around one big idea for kids to focus on. At the end of each chapter, Newbell asks them some questions to think about and to either write about or talk about. There is also an activity at the end of each chapter to help each big idea stick in the kids' minds. At the end of the book, Newbell also includesa list of helpful words to know from the book, Bible verses to read, and a letter to adults who are guiding families to help them enjoy their differences.
  
  Creative God Colorful Us is a good book to help middle grade children better understand racial issues. Newbell does this by first helping readers understand how to be part of God's family and how he made us all differently. It is definitely a Christian book with the Gospel message clearly relayed to readers as a big part of understanding how we are all made differently including our skin colors. I thought it was all well presented and easy to understand for the age group. Initially, I thought it would have a clear racial message and only a racial message. I wanted to read it because I know that the author is a black woman and I have read another book by her that I enjoyed. As I reflected on the book, I thought she tied everything together quite well and it made sense how she presented our racial differences as part of God's family so we can learn to better love one another as God intended. I would definitely recommend Creative God Colorful Us. I also liked the gorgeous cover and illustrations from Chase Williamson.
  
  I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers. All opinions within this review are my own.
• 
  Kara

  This book is a must read for mid/late elementary through middle school, yet I was immensely blessed and challenged by it as well!
  
  Newbell skillfully tells the big story (creation, fall, redemption, consummation) in simple and interesting terms using scripture throughout. The 7 chapters each have helpful signposts that make reading easy and the pages colorful including questions for reflection, bolded terms with a glossary, “the big idea” overview, “what do you think?” application questions and ending suggest activity to solidify the concepts.
  
  The best part is that Newbell centers the whole book and topic of race around God and his attributes and creativity—truly the foundation. The book ends with “A Letter to the Adults” which is instructional particularly regarding a common way Christians engage with this topic—being “colorblind.”
  1. Being colorblind isn’t realistic.
  2. Colorblindness misses the opportunity to celebrate God’s good design.
  3. The gospel is for all nations.
  4. We will rejoice in color forever.
  
  I believe this book is applicable to Christian kids and parents but would also be a useful evangelistic tool for any age due to the simplicity of the gospel message.
• 
  Emilee (emileereadsbooks)

  Thanks to Moody publishers for a copy for my review.
  
  Written with ages 6-12 in mine, this book is part workbook, part chapter book that walks children through the truth of God's Word. The truth about how we were made with differences, how we sinned, how God rescued us, and how—if we understand that God’s diverse creation will be together in Heaven—it should motivate us to love one another on earth! I loved this book and how it walks kids through the truths paired with questions, big ideas, and activities. It points children to loving God and loving others and gives them some tools to help them do that.
• 
  Kara

  Such a great book I read with my kids each morning. Trillia does a wonderful job laying out a clear presentation of the gospel combined with the beautiful diversity in God’s family. I love how she presents a “big idea” in each chapter and gives questions to add discussion to the chapter information. But I think the other piece that makes this so great are the opportunities she discusses to move from knowledge to action- in ways that kids can grasp and relate to, and can work on right away. Will definitely be coming back to this book, and will highly recommend to other families!
• 
  Jaci

  Diversity is a very difficult topic to talk about sometimes, but the author addresses it in an understandable way for children, even for adults.
  There are some questions to reflect at the end of every chapter, so this book is ideal to be read with a group. Also, the advice given for adults at the end of the book was so good and accurate.
  
• 
  Melissa Whiting

  Newbell spends a lot of time sharing the Gospel message in this book and then goes on to explain how that impacts our thoughts and actions in regards to celebrating our God-given differences. I am looking forward to reading through this with my 2nd grader!
• 
  Hanna Lee

  As this is meant for kids/teens it was obviously a simple read. Trillia presents the Gospel so clearly and it is a huge portion of this book. The chapters are short, have a “big idea”, discussion questions, and an activity and are probably just right to engage with your kids.
• 
  Sarah

  Newbell writes about God's creativity and redemptive plan for all people in this middle-grade book about wholeheartedly loving God's family.
• 
  JEM

  Excellent resource for the 6-12 age range (probably more the younger end of the age range) on basing our identity in God. Also graciously deals with the importance of kindness, compassion and acceptance of others. Highly recommend!
• 
  Ammie

  My four year old and I did a re-read on this via audiobook while coloring. She was engaged and talking through so many of the points mentioned. Though I do not recommend listening to this on your first read (we read it weekly this spring), it was well worth the listen as a review.
• 
  Elena

  This is a great resource for grade-school and middle-schoolers to better understand the gospel as well as the beauty in the diversity of God's family. Just as a body has different organs with different functions, God's family, filled with Christians from different parts of the world, all have an important role in the Body of Christ. Our different abilities, color of our skin, personalities, and other distinctions are all valuable, so we are called to love one another's differences and rejoice in our similarities (that we are all created in God's image, that we are all forgiven and saved by Jesus, that we all have worth and dignity as His children). Trillia explains the gospel in a fantastic way through the first half of the book, with applicable examples an images for young readers, but still deep enough for adults to mull over as well. And then she focuses on how to love one another and celebrate our differences as a reflection of our Creative God. For each chapter, she had a Big Idea, a summarizing statement that she encouraged readers to memorize by creating a song, rap, or chant. She also has a discussion section and a corresponding activity at the end of each chapter. There are illustrations that help convey the messages of each chapter without distracting the reader or appearing to childish for and older child or pre-teen. I really enjoyed reading through this small but impactful book, and plan on reading it to Elliot when he is older.
  
  Rating: G
  Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have provided here.
• 
  Courtney

  This was a great overview of the gospel and God's colorful family. Key themes are how God rescues us, the Holy Spirit helps us to live, we are made in the image of God (and so can be kind, just, truthful, etc. like Him), our differences are good, and people are more alike than they are different. Newbell is an engaging writer, employing an effective mix of examples, Scripture, and personal anecdotes. The illustrations and graphics were engaging, not distracting. I thought the main content was great, and the chapter questions and activities fit well. The questions and activities were doable, not too much; my child and I did all of them together (whereas some books those can be too overwhelming to complete). The target age was elementary schoolers, and my first-grader did pretty well with the material. We may revisit it when he is a couple years older, because I think his comprehension will be better.
  
  I also highly recommend the companion picture book:
  God's Very Good Idea: A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family. It is the best summary of the Gospel that I have found in a children's book!
• 
  Kathleen Garber

  I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
  
  This is a beautifully made book for Christian children ages 8-12 although it could be used as young as 6 if a parent read it in shorter bursts. The point of the book is to share how God created us all as equal and in His own image.
  
  The book is full of colour and easy to understand text. There are What do You Think sections for kids to contemplate what they are learning. There are activity sections with easy things to do to further their understanding.
  
  Each chapter has a Big Idea that is the main takeaway of the chapter. All the text, thinking sections and activities reflect that. An example of some Big Ideas are:
  
  -Every person is made by God and in the image of God and therefore is equal in value and worth.
  -God loved the world so much that He sent His son Jesus to rescue it, and now we can have a relationship with God forever.
  -Every tribe, tongue, language, and nation will be in heaven together perfectly worshiping, loving and enjoying one another.
  
  This would make a great gift for a 8-12 year old. It’s not specifically meant for girls but I think girls would enjoy it more.
• 
  Edy Gies

  I can not recommend this book enough! Trillia Newbell did a phenomenal job with this book and dealing with the sensitive social issues that need to be discussed. Rather than informing kids about the hate in the world, she points them to God and the Gospel. She calls out being unkind to someone because they look different than you as the sin of partiality. Throughout the book she points back to God and his marvelous creation.
  
  At the end in the letter to the parents/guardians, she combats the uses of the phrase, "I'm colorblind. I don't even see color." She states that a creative God made us different and unique so saying you don't see it ignores God's creativity. She also points out that the Bible says people from every tribe and nation will worship God in heaven and we will know that we are surrounded by the nations. This implies that our differences will follow us in our new bodies but we will celebrate and be united in Christ. Highly, highly recommend. I plan on reading United her "grown-up" book on this topic ASAP.
• 
  Zacarias Rivera, Jr.

  What a wonderful book for kids to read. First, I love the narrative voice. Newbell write in a very personable voice. Second, I love the illustrations that she uses to make the concepts clear to the reader, they appeal to their young experiences. Third, the book is filled with so many helpful ways to access and learn the biblical truths she is conveying: activities, capitalization of key words, a helpful glossary at the end, and the beautiful artwork by Chase Williamson.
  I highly recommend this book for children to learn about the unique diversity that Yahweh has created and how we can embrace with loving arms our fellow human beings.
• 
  Ille

  'Creative God, Colourful Us' by Trillia J. Newbell is a VERY good book. Seven easy to read chapters, with nice pictures on most pages make this book ideal for young readers between eight and twelve years old.
  It introduces them to the basics of Christianity - creation, the fall and how Jesus died on the cross for us; explaining how our differences and how we treat each other (and are meant to treat each other) links up with those three things and more.
  
• 
  Shark

  "It's a good book about God and us and how we are the same and different. It's a good book. It's easy to understand for kids and grown-ups. I liked the activities and stuff. My favorite activity was the sugar cookies. I learned about God and about how we are different. We should treat different people the same as everyone else. You should notice different people. God made us different, and it's good. Other kids should read this book."
  -- first-grade reviewer :)
• 
  Pam

  I purchased this book to share with my 6 older grandchildren on Spring Break vacation. It seems like it will interest them, hold their attention, and help us to talk about loving everybody, with all of our God-given differences. Also included is a clear presentation of the gospel on their level. I love this and can’t wait to get into it with them.