There is no better time than now to celebrate the ways that our God creatively made each of us. We are all beautifully different. Today I am sharing several books to open conversations with the children in our lives about diversity and how God wants us to love each other.

CREATIVE GOD, COLORFUL US

by Trillia Newbell with paintings by Chase Williamson

Moody Publishers 2021

“God could have made us all exactly the same, but he didn’t. And our differences are good.” (back cover)

In this well-organized and much needed book, the gospel message that, even though we are different, we all reflect the image of God. Author Trillia Newbell clearly explains Biblical teachings including creation, the fall, and redemption for children ages 8-12. Each chapter poses questions that will foster deep conversations about what it means to be part of the family of God as well as how to love others. The illustrations are stunning! CREATIVE GOD, COLORFUL US is one of the few books that speaks to middle school aged children on this topic but will be appreciated by both younger and older children as well as the adults who love them. This is a book that should be added to home and Christian school classrooms and libraries.

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COLORFULL: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us

by Dorena Williamson with illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

B&H Kids: 2018

Best friends, Imani and Kayla look at the beautiful colors in God’s creation and realize that the differences in their skin colors is an example of the creativity of God. This is a joyful book for young children as it celebrates family, diversity, and the beauty of God’s world. Theology is gently woven into the text and the illustrations illuminate the beauty of creation.

MORE THAN PEACH

By Bellen Woodard with illustrations by Fanny Liem

Scholastic: 2022

When Bellen Woodard was eight years old, she noticed that the children in her class used the term “skin color” when asking for a peach crayon. She was confused – her skin was brown, not peach. She then asked them what color they wanted because skin “can be any number of beautiful colors.” Her friends listened and agreed so she used this event as a spark, going on to help change the language used about skin color in her school and community. She went on to create “Bellen’s More Than Peach Project which focuses on the goal of the role of conversation between people and the language that is used. Her activism resulted in “skin-color” crayons. Now children can see themselves and others represented in these boxes and understand the power of words.

This excellent book shows children that they can identify and solve problems. I love the suggestion that Bellen gives – “Instead of asking kids what they want to be when they grow up, ask them what they want to change.”

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