The Color of Me

Name of Book:  The Color of Me

Author:  Linda L. McDunn

Illustrator: Barbara Knutson

Publisher:  Liturgical Press

Audience: Ages 5-8

Summary: The author uses the story of creation in Genesis to begin this book.  Very descriptive language is used and along with the illustrations helps the reader to understand the many things that God created. The author also writes about how God created people of all different colors.  The fact that all of what God created was good is emphasized.  A child asks a group of people what color God is and is given many different answers.  The book ends as a rainbow forms following a rainstorm.  God is the color of all of us because we were created in God’s image.

Literary elements at work in the story:  The theme of this story really emphasizes the fact that many different creatures and people were all created by the same God.  This theme can help lead children to an understanding that they are one tiny part of a great big beautiful world with many differences in it. The theme also points out to the reader that each thing God created was created for a special purpose and is needed in the world in which we live.  This book could be the catalyst to a rich conversation with children about God to help them gain a more concrete understanding of what can be a very abstract concept for young minds.

Perspective on gender/race/culture/economic ability:  While none of these perspectives are specifically addressed in this story, the book does seek to emphasize diversity both in creatures and human beings.  Diversity is celebrated in the fact that the author repeats multiple times in the book that what has been created is “good.” The illustrations do a wonderful job of showing how the colorful diversity of our world and all that live in it makes it beautiful.

Scripture:  Revelation 4:11, Genesis 1:27, 1 Timothy 4:4, Matthew 28:20

Theology:   All that was created on the earth exists because of God.  Human beings are made in the image of God.  All that God created is good.  We are not alone because God will always be with us.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What do you think the author means when she says that the light God created contains all the colors of God?
2. How do butterflies give “beauty to the breeze?”
3. The author says that dogs wag their tails with “unconditional love.”  What does that mean?
4. Why were people created
5. What special gifts do you have that you can share with other people?
6. Why do you think the people could not agree about the color of God?
7. How does the rainbow in the sky after the storm answer the child’s question about the color of God?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary graduate Marcia Rauch.  For another student’s review of this book, click here.