God Made Me AND You: Celebrating God's Design for Ethnic Diversity

God Made Me and You – Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity By Hai Linne, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney New Growth Press, 1301 Carolina Street, Suite 124, Greensboro, NC 27404 978-1948130154, $ 15.99, 2018 Reviewed by Richard R. Blake, richard330@yahoo.com “God Made Me and You – Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity” is told using a poetic rhyming style. Trish Mahoney’s art and illustrations capture and significantly enhance and reinforce the application message for children. The book can be used as a read-aloud book or is an ideal opportunity for advanced readers to read to their younger siblings to and to help them develop their reading skills. A practical and helpful section for parents introduces Six Ways to Help a Child Appreciate God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity. A letter to parents at the opening of the book becomes the introduction of the book. Linne’s intent for writing the book is “To lead the reader to intentionally pursue and demonstrate a lifelong pursuit of appreciation for ethnic diversity to the glory of God.” Shai Linne’s book “God Made Me and You” is highly endorsed by pastors, theologians, Christian leaders, and educators. The book is designed to help children ages five through eleven and fosters embracing people of another color and ethnic differences. A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.

My preschoolers and I enjoyed God Made Me and You. The combination of colorful illustrations and lyrical rhyme make this book a lot of fun. Shai Linne communicates that His readers are image bearers who exist for God's glory, love, praise, etc. God Made Me and You primarily focuses on externals (tall/short, hair/eye color, disabilities, etc.) and would serve as a good starting point for further conversation(s) highlighting what it means to be made in the image of God. Most of all, I appreciate that this book follows the redemptive story line (creation, fall, redemption, consummation) and has a clear Gospel message. God Made Me and You is a useful picture book to help preschoolers appreciate the diversity of God's design in creation. *Many thanks to New Growth Press for sending me a complimentary copy of this book! This is my honest opinion.

An excellent book for 3-8 year olds showing how God enjoys and celebrates the diversity of his creation and how we also should appreciate all the variety found in people of the world. Written by Shai Linne in engaging rhyme, the scene is set in a school bible class where some boys start teasing others, but the teacher is quick to show how God created everyone with all of their wondrous differences. Sin is explained in terms of people hating difference, yet Jesus has come to die for the sins of mankind: “There’s no type of person that Jesus left out”! The illustrations by Trish Mahoney (who also illustrated God Made All of Me) are captivating – clear, precise and engagingly detailed. She has included a child with a cochlear implant, a girl with a facial birthmark, a man in a wheelchair, kids with glasses and braces, every type of hair imaginable (possibly with even a turban suggesting no hair), and a variety of skin tones. A lovely book for little ones which proclaims the truth that God calls people from every tribe, language, tongue and nation to himself.

How should we think about race and ethnicity? More importantly, what does the Bible say about these matters? We live in a time of cultural tension, and our churches need to speak up where there is silence against the sin of racism and we need to bring love and unity instead of contention. More than all of this, we need to have these tough conversations with our children. How can we even begin doing this? Thanks to Shai Linne’s new children’s book, God Made Me AND You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity, we have an answer. Creative Teaching on Celebrating Ethnic Diversity In this beautifully illustrated book (illustrations by Trish Mahoney), Shai Linne uses his poetic style as a hip-hop artist to creatively teach kids through rhyme God’s design for ethnic diversity. Using the story of an elementary classroom incident, God Made Me AND You takes children and their parents through the story of the Bible to show God’s beautiful and good design in His diverse creation. The book uses the classroom incident between students as an opportunity to highlight Acts 17. From there, the book highlights God unity and diversity in the world He has made, displaying and celebrating the beauty of ethnic diversity. The book also dives into the sin of racism and how the only solution to this problem is found in the gospel as Jesus died for the sins of mankind and no type of person is left out. The ethnic diversity of the church finds its unity in Jesus Christ. Simply put, God Made Me AND You teaches ethnic diversity is something the Bible calls for us to celebrate as God saves a people from all ethnicities for Himself. A Gift of Grace for Understanding Race (for Kids) Shai faithfully portrays the beautiful display of God’s creation, the problem of man’s sin of racism, and the solution provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. He even opens the book with a letter to the parent or caregiver and closes it with an article on “Six Ways to Help Your Children Appreciate God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity” to equip the parent as the wage their way through this complex conversation. In a time where tensions are high on tough topics like ethnicity and racism, this book teaches faithfully the biblical truth of God’s design for ethnic diversity in an engaging manner for kids. The book is ideal for elementary school-aged children but parents themselves will benefit from such a resource too. One line of the story sums the book well, “What some call ethnicity and others call race, We should celebrate as a gift of God’s grace.” This book is a gift of God’s grace to those who want to teach their children what the Bible says about race. Shai gives parents guidance on how to educate children on ethnicity through a biblical lens. If you are a parent of an elementary-aged child and want them to know the beautiful biblical truth of God’s design for ethnic diversity, then get this book! I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.

God Made Me and You: Celebrating God's Design for Ethnic Diversity is a new release from Shai Linne and New Growth Press that explores what the Bible says about God's creative beauty seen in mankind. The image that John paints for us in Revelation 7:9-10 has always been one of my favorite passages of Scripture. John states that he sees, "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” I want this vision of heaven to be something that captivates my family as we seek to love others right now, no matter how different they may be from us.  As a father of two 6 year old boys I am constantly looking for quality books to read to them and books that they will enjoy reading on their own. New Growth Press has always been a trusted resource for me and this release by Shai Linne is one of my favorites. God Made Me and You explores God's creative design in the planets, animals, and plants that he has made before turning to the crown jewel of God's creation: man. The message of the book is made crystal clear through wonderful rhymes: God has displayed his creative beauty in making his image bearers look so unique and different from one another. Sin has caused our differences to oftentimes be a reason for division instead of worship of our Creator. Through the cross we are brought together to worship our God, together, forever. Shai Linne brings the beauty of God's multiethnic bride down to the heart of small children.  The illustrations in God Made Me and You are very well done and fit perfectly with the truths that this book is communicating. I hope my children never judge others based on how God has made them, but instead are always amazed at God's creative skill. I am thankful for God Made Me and You as it is a wonderful tool for families to read together over and over again and marvel at what God has done in creating man. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is simply outstanding  Shai Linne has also released a children's album titled Jesus Kids that is a great companion to this book. My kids are already singing along to it and requesting it when we are in the car! I received a copy of this book from New Growth Press in exchange for an honest review.

It’s hard to not hear about bigotry in today’s world. There are stories on the nightly news and all over social media. It’s not just color of your skin. It can be your looks, what you wear, and even if you have some kind of disability. Most likely your kids have seen and heard it also. Shai Linne does a wonderful job in his book about ethnic diversity. I’ve seen a few books out there on this topic for kids. This by far is my favorite. Shai Linne does a fabulous job weaving the story together and hopefully it will end in having a heart to heart with your kids. It starts out in a classroom with the teacher running late. Two boys are teasing a girl because of her hair, a boy because of his clothes, and another boy was crying because of them bullying him because of his skin color. The teacher walks in and sees Todd crying. One of the students stands up and lets the beans out of the bag and tells the teacher what was happening. The teacher goes on from their addressing the problem to the class. She pulls out the Bible and brings up several scriptures throughout explaining it clearly. I love the illustrations that they cover several ethnic races, birth marks on the face, disabilities, and just general looks of people. There is a salvation message and a sweet comment that says, “God turns strangers into sisters and brothers.” “Through different, we’re called to love one another.” The story is told in a way that it will grab the attention of kids in a sort of rhyming tone. It’s easy to read and follow along with such a heavy topic. The illustrations are done by Trish Mahoney and are fully illustrated. The pictures by themselves will lend to a lot of open conversation. At the end of the book is a section for parents, “Six Ways to Help Your Child Appreciate God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity.” Each sections has a paragraph or two. 1. Teach your children what the Bible says about ethnic diversity 2. Correct commonly held errors regarding the Bible and ethnicity for your children 3. Educate yourself and your children about cultures other than your own 4. Seek out interactions/relationship with people of different ethnicities 5. Model loving confrontation of prejudiced words and/or behavior with your children 6. Be hopeful for a future where the Spirit will break down the barriers between people of different ethnic backgrounds A well written book for a topic that we need to guide our children in and mold them to see that We ALL are CREATED in HIS Image regardless of our differences. I received a free copy of this product

In God Made Me and You, Shai Linne addresses the sensitive topic of ethnic diversity. Rather than adopting the “be color blind” stance, this tale promotes celebration of all of God's creation. The narrative points out, rather than ignores, the differences in nature as well as the differences in people. Delving deep, the text identifies living in a world cursed by sin as the root of racism and bullying. Next, the author points to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as the remedy for sin. There's a clear presentation of the gospel and as well as an explanation of how the gospel calls us to love each other. Following the story are two pages that give parents direction about helping a child appreciate God's design for ethnic diversity. I think this is the first children's book I've seen in which the author addresses how racism and bullying are more than bad behavior issues. The text cuts to the heart of the matter as it discusses sin as the root of all the meanness. Like this book says, since the fall of man, the world exists under the curse of sin and “the very differences meant / to give God praise / Are now reasons for hatred, / so evil our ways.” Thankfully, the story doesn't end there! It continues on to address redemption, salvation, and love for “saints of all colors.” I find this book is more of an educational resource for us than a book for recreational reading. My daughters request it only occasionally, but they look, listen, and appear to embrace its ideas when we do read it. We homeschool so I use books like this to teach my girls how to respond and appreciate people of other races. God Made Me and You: Celebrating God's Design for Ethnic Diversity appears to be targeted to early elementary age children. My six year old was immediately interested when we received the book and the children depicted in the illustrations seem to be about her age. The colorful illustrations by Trish Mahoney complement the rhyming narrative of God Made Me and You. They are modern, fun, and help to accentuate the theme of the book.

In God Made Me and You, Shai Linne addresses the sensitive topic of ethnic diversity. Rather than adopting the “be color blind” stance, this tale promotes celebration of all of God's creation. The narrative points out, rather than ignores, the differences in nature as well as the differences in people. Delving deep, the text identifies living in a world cursed by sin as the root of racism and bullying. Next, the author points to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as the remedy for sin. There's a clear presentation of the gospel and as well as an explanation of how the gospel calls us to love each other. Following the story are two pages that give parents direction about helping a child appreciate God's design for ethnic diversity. I think this is the first children's book I've seen in which the author addresses how racism and bullying are more than bad behavior issues. The text cuts to the heart of the matter as it discusses sin as the root of all the meanness. Like this book says, since the fall of man, the world exists under the curse of sin and “the very differences meant / to give God praise / Are now reasons for hatred, / so evil our ways.” Thankfully, the story doesn't end there! It continues on to address redemption, salvation, and love for “saints of all colors.” I find this book is more of an educational resource for us than a book for recreational reading. My daughters request it only occasionally, but they look, listen, and appear to embrace its ideas when we do read it. We homeschool so I use books like this to teach my girls how to respond and appreciate people of other races. God Made Me and You: Celebrating God's Design for Ethnic Diversity appears to be targeted to early elementary age children. My six year old was immediately interested when we received the book and the children depicted in the illustrations seem to be about her age. The colorful illustrations by Trish Mahoney complement the rhyming narrative of God Made Me and You. They are modern, fun, and help to accentuate the theme of the book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this complimentary book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Author Shai Linne and illustrator Trish Mahoney have delivered a thoughtful children's book about celebrating the ethnic diversity in God's great creation. The book begins with an all too frequent classroom scene - the teasing and bullying of some students while the teacher is out. Just as one boy begins to cry because others are laughing at the color of his skin, Ms. Preston, a wise teacher returns to the room. Grabbing onto the opportune moment for a lesson, she shows the students that our differences are all part of God's design for the world, just as the sun, planets, stars, and moons are each different. Told in brief rhymed stanzas, this book a fun read-aloud, but also a starting point for serious discussions on accepting others. Because of its picture book format, the book can be used with young audiences, but I can also see it as a non-threatening book for slightly older kids. I think this book would be an excellent buy for church school libraries, parochial schools, and even family libraries. I received a copy of this title from New Growth Press. All opinions are mine.

This is an excellent book to pick up and use to talk to kids about the beauty in our differences. My children haven't really noticed that people come in all shapes and sizes yet, but I still think that starting them young with books like this is important, since it helps to shape their views as they get older and start noticing. I love that this book celebrates how God made us all in His image. I received this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.