God’s Very Good Idea - A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family - Hardback

God Had a Very Good Idea. And You Are Part of It.

From the very beginning, God’s plan was wonderful. Not just wonderful for some people — for lots of different people. People from every background, every culture, every corner of the world. People who look different, speak different languages, and come from different families and places. All of them loved by God. All of them invited into his family. All of them part of his very good idea.

God’s Very Good Idea takes children on a breathtaking journey — from the garden of Eden all the way to God’s heavenly throne room — showing how, despite our sinfulness, everyone can be part of God’s wonderful plan through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Along the way, children discover that people from all ethnic and social backgrounds are deeply valuable to God, that Jesus came to rescue all kinds of people, and that the church — God’s delightfully different family — is one of the most exciting places in the world to belong.

With stunning illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and warm, accessible text by Trillia Newbell, this beautifully produced picture book celebrates the diversity of God’s people in a way that is joyful, gospel-centred, and genuinely thrilling for children of all ages and backgrounds.

What This Book Covers

Trillia Newbell and Catalina Echeverri take children on a beautifully illustrated journey through the Bible’s big story:

• The garden of Eden — How God made a world full of different people, all reflecting his image and all precious to him
• The problem of sin — How our sinfulness threatens to separate us from God and from one another
• The saving work of Christ — How Jesus came to rescue all kinds of people — from every background, culture, and corner of the world
• The church as God’s family — How the church is God’s delightfully different family — a community of people from all walks of life who belong together because of Jesus
• God’s heavenly throne room — The breathtaking vision of Revelation: people from every nation, tribe, and tongue gathered around the throne of God in joy and worship
• Diversity as God’s good design — How the beautiful variety of people in God’s family is not an accident but a reflection of his very good idea from the very beginning

What Children Will Learn

• That God’s plan from the beginning was to have lots of different people enjoying loving him and loving each other
• That people from all ethnic and social backgrounds are deeply valuable to God — made in his image and precious to him
• That Jesus came to rescue all kinds of people — not just some kinds — and that the gospel is for everyone
• That the church is God’s delightfully different family — a community where people who might never otherwise meet are brought together by the love of Christ
• That despite our sinfulness, everyone can be part of God’s very good idea through what Jesus has done
• That the diversity of God’s people is something to celebrate — a beautiful foretaste of the heavenly gathering around God’s throne
• That they themselves — whoever they are and wherever they come from — are part of God’s wonderful plan

How to Use This Book

God’s Very Good Idea is beautifully produced and immediately usable:

• Family reading — A wonderful book to read together at home, sparking conversation about diversity, belonging, and the gospel
• Sunday school and children’s ministry — An ideal resource for teaching children about God’s love for all people and the beauty of the diverse church
• School and classroom use — A warm, gospel-centred introduction to diversity and belonging for Christian school settings
• Bedtime reading — Short enough to read in a single sitting, beautiful enough to return to again and again
• Gift for children — A stunning, meaningful gift for children of any age — whether they are growing up in the church or being introduced to the gospel for the first time

Who Should Read This Book

This book is for:

• Children of all ages who need to see that God’s family includes people from every background — and that they belong in it
• Parents wanting to help their children understand and celebrate the diversity of God’s people in a gospel-centred way
• Sunday school teachers and children’s ministry leaders looking for a beautifully illustrated resource to teach children about God’s plan for all kinds of people
• Churches wanting to help children understand and love the diversity of the church family they are part of
• Any family or church that wants children to grow up knowing: God’s family is wonderfully different — and I am part of it

About the Authors

Trillia Newbell is an author, speaker, and Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. She is the author of several books for adults and children, known for her warm, gospel-centred writing and her passion for helping all people — of every background — see themselves as beloved members of God’s family. Trillia brings to God’s Very Good Idea both theological depth and a genuine love for children and for the diverse beauty of the church.

Catalina Echeverri is an illustrator and author whose vibrant, joyful artwork has made her one of the most distinctive voices in Christian children’s publishing. Her illustrations for God’s Very Good Idea are widely celebrated for their warmth, colour, and ability to make the diversity of God’s people feel genuinely beautiful and joyfully alive on every page.