Book Review: GraceFull by Dorena Williamson

About the Book:

Hope and Anna love seeing each other at church. When a Sunday grace offering is collected to help lift up Anna’s homeless family, Hope begins to ask questions and has a unique opportunity to learn what grace looks like, both for her and for Anna’s immigrant family. This touching story teaches children that God showers grace that is meant to be shared—allowing us all to be GraceFull!

In this follow up to her first two books, ColorFull and ThoughtFull, Dorena Williamson opens a dialogue on the tough subjects of poverty and homelessness and offers children encouragement to show God’s grace and love to others whose home life or homeland might look very different than their own.


My Thoughts:

My girls are always excited to receive a new book and GraceFull by Dorena Williamson was no exception. As is the case with most of their books, my daughters were first intrigued by the colorful illustrations, but they also enjoyed the story line. Having previously read ColorFull and ThoughtFull by the same author, they recognized Ahanu (from ThoughtFull) immediately and were delighted to see him again.

I recommend GraceFull: Growing a Heart that Cares for Our Neighbors by Dorena Williamson and illustrated by Geneva B to anyone with a child ages 3-8 in their life. My younger daughter asks me to read this book almost every day. She says her favorite thing about the book is Anna and Hope at the Chen House because they are nice to each other. My older daughter asks for it less, but reads it herself.

GraceFull's main theme centers on the effects of God-given grace. The premise is that when we receive this grace, it overflows out of us to others. Supporting themes of generosity, kindness, inclusion, and racial diversity are laced throughout the story. GraceFull reminds the reader, child or adult, to look beyond our own needs and wants so that we can give compassion and grace. As a mother of young ones, I appreciate resources such as GraceFull that help instill the values I hope my daughters will one day embrace for themselves.

Read my review of ThoughtFull.

Read my review of ColorFull.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy 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."

ColorFull by Dorena Williamson

Racial tension is common in politics and news.

I never expected VPK in a Christian school would be my daughter's introduction to racial prejudice. It didn't take long for her to experience exclusion due to her skin color and to learn that the same classmates who excluded her also excluded people of other skin colors. And so, I had to talk with her about that. It was hard for her to understand. I tried to explain that God created us all with different skin colors and no one should be treated as lower or higher than another.

ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us by Dorena Wiliamson is a beautful tool that I can use to combat her own experience of discrimination and teach her sympathy for others. In ColorFull, Imani, Kayla, and Christopher learn about colors through playtime activities and a wise Granny Mac who leads the conversation into skin color. Essentially, the message is that all skin colors were chosen by God in his wisdom and love. All are equally loved by their Creator. Rather than trying to be colorblind, we can choose to celebrate the different skin colors we have.

ColorFull is a sturdy, hard-cover, children's book featuring whimsical, vibrant illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. My daughters haven't seen the book yet because it's a birthday gift, but I expect the illustrations to hold their attention while I read. Discussion questions, appropriate for 4-8 year olds are included. I think my two year old will enjoy the story and illustrations, but the discussion questions will be above her comprehension level.

I recommend ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us to anyone with children. Every child will eventually encounter racial prejudice of some form and this book can help them grow up with a healthy perspective.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free 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."