Wonderfully, Marvelously, Brown: Review

When I opened my most recent #BookMail package, I saw the newest book by Xochitl (So-Cheel) Dixon called "Wonderfully, Marvelously, Brown." Guys. It's even more touching & delightful than I'd hoped it would be.

You might be asking yourself why the world needs a book that focuses on skin color. Isn't the world too obsessed with our differences? Shouldn't we encourage children to not even see race?

While I do believe that our primary identities should always be followers of Yeshua, the fact is, God made us in all sorts of different hues and unfortunately, historically, and even in life today, some kids have been made to feel like their color isn't quite right.

From modern day colorism to parts of the world that still find dark skin unfavorable, it's important for all children to know they are wonderfully and fearfully made.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened this book. How would it balance appreciation vs. over-focus or even worship of one's skin color?

Well...it's just perfect. Wonderfully, Marvelously, Brown ties the melanin in skin to all of the shades of brown in nature in a way that feels natural, sweet, cozy, and points to the Maker of all things beautiful.

On the gorgeously illustated pages, children of all backgrounds can be seen enjoying life and adventures together as the main character, a sweet little boy, sees his tones of his skin all around. Sara Palacios is the illustrator and I hope one day she animates a cartoon. Her drawings are so warm, fun, and full of life.

I wish I'd read this book as a little girl, especially when it was rare to see kids that looked like me in my favorite books. Definitely grab yourself a copy of this. Your children will love it.