I love, love, love Sharon Garlough Browns novels... particularly Shades of Light and Feathers of Hope, both of which tie-in directly with Not Finished Yet. Though this children's book stands on its own, long-time readers will instantly recognize Wren and her grandmother. The story itself is moving, but the illustrations.... oh my. I've struggled to find the right words for this review, because some of the pages are stunning and others repel. The problem seems to be with the faces of the characters in the children's book. To be honest, I'm surprised some of the illustrations made it through. They lessen the power of the book, as my attention on several spreads went right to "What in the world? Something is off about this. The face is strangely disturbing." Another reviewer wrote that the illustrations "are dated and honestly a little creepy"... not what you want in a book for kids, though the message is, as always, superb.

High faith content. Grandma has taught Wren to paint her prayers. Decent illustrations. This book talked about feelings, too. Also how God sometimes had those same feelings. I was blessed with a free ARC, and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

I received an electronic ARC from InterVarsity Press through NetGalley.
Wren loves to paint with her grandmother. Sometimes, her grandfather teases them about making a mess but they both say they just aren't finished yet. In this story, it has been a difficult day. Wren faced disappointments and was hurt and angry. Her grandmother told her to paint those emotions and create a prayer painting. As she explored her feelings, she even shared her disappointment with God. Her grandmother encouraged her for being brave enough to share all that she was feeling. Toward the end, the completed painting showed her emotions and her prayers. Lovely soft focused illustrations capture the emotions swirling as she paints and shares about her day. The text lets readers walk through the day and experience these feelings along with Wren. A charming book for families to share together when disappointing days happen. It will open dialogue for coping with strong emotions.

This book was a sweet story that tied painting, emotions, and prayers all together! I love how it taught the idea of praying through difficult emotions and trials that many kids go through. My kids' prayers tend to focus on thank yous, so loved how this introduced another layer of praying. Loved the illustrations and how the appearance and facial expressions added to the overall book.

Not Finished Yet provides a warm and comforting context for prayers of lament. The main character uses her painting as a way of talking to God, or praying. One day, she paints an ugly or disappointing painting. We come to understand, through the text, that it's OK to show disappointed feelings to God and to express our disappointment with situations we don't understand. This text is religious-based and references God, but it also demonstrates the power of showing up as our authentic selves and never giving up.

This is a sweet story about a girl who paints with her beloved grandmother. She treasures those times together expressing their artistic nature. Sometimes they like to paint their feelings, but on this day, Wren finds it difficult and gets frustrated. With her Grandmother’s wisdom and love, they work through it. Wren learns more about how she can communicate with God and work through her feelings. Whether young or old, God is not finished with us yet.

The illustrations in this children’s book are pleasing to the eye and work well with the text of the book. The message of sharing all our thoughts and feelings with God, sends a strong message of love, belonging, understanding, and growth. I would recommend this for all parents and childcare providers to purchase this book for both its inner and outer beauty.

I was provided an advanced copy for review. All words, opinion, and rating are solely my own.

The idea of this book is wonderful; and for that reason I give it two stars. I would love to see more books with a similar message: prayer comes in many different forms. All emotions and self-expression are important. All that said, the illustrations are dates and honestly a little creepy.

This book portrays a special bond between grandmother and granddaughter and how the grandmother supports her grandchild. Painting prayers, what a fantastic avenue for children to express their feelings in prayer and getting things out in a way that maybe they can’t vocalize. This was a beautiful story. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

A timely book, cute illustrations and the relationship between the characters is heartwarming. Adults and kids alike can enjoy this book.

A cute book about Gwen who loves spending her time with her Gran in her art studio. Gwen loves painting all the different things, but especially loves sometimes painting her emotions or "painting prayers" as her Gran calls it. Gwen goes on a journey through her day as she and Gran work through how she's feeling and why. This is a great book for late preschool/early elementary kids to learn about their emotions and how to process their emotions.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a really good book that shows kids that they can be honest with God about their feelings. Sometimes the church seems to tell people that they can't ask questions or be mad with God, but this is not true, especially since God knows what we are feeling anyway, and He created those emotions too. Also not being honest with your feelings can lead to negative relationships so it is important to know God can handle our emotions, both negative and positive. I think this book will help kids to see that. The illustrations were also really nice and added a lot to the story especially the paintings that the main character and her grandmother were doing.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A beautifully illustrated children's story about talking to God even when it's hard. I loved how deep the author went and how it gets kids thinking about and processing different emotions. My son really enjoyed it and even loved talking about the different questions the author provided in the author's note at the end.

Not Finished Yet
Trusting God with All My Feelings
by Sharon Garlough Brown
Pub Date 07 May 2024
InterVarsity Press,IVP Kids
Children's Fiction| Christian| Religion & Spirituality


Through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley, I received Not Finished Yet: Trust God with All My Feelings to review:



One of Wren's favorite places is Gran's art studio. It's not just where Wren and Gran paint; it's where they talk about all the good and hard stuff of life-to each other, and to God. Join young Wren as she explores her feelings and discovers that God welcomes our honest prayers.


The gentle story of this book by bestselling Christian novelist Sharon Garlough Brown is accompanied by exquisite illustrations by Jessica Linn Evans. Also included is a note from the author to encourage further conversation about the content.An author's note encourages further discussion of the content.


Get to know IVP Kids and share what matters to God with your children!


I give Not Finished Yet five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

A must have book for every Christian book nook.

In 'Not Finished Yet' 'trusting God with all my feelings' Wren is at her grandmother's studio. Together they're painting their feelings. As Wren is looking at her canvas she is struggling with disappointment.

The response of grandma is so calming, nurturing, inquisitive and curious at the same time.

The Grandma in this story reflects God's love with the utmost patience.

This book really holds up a mirror to how often I am tempted to mask my real feelings (because I often feel that my true feelings are not wanted at the moment they arrive).

How liberating is the message in this book, that God sees each of your feelings, pays attention to them and wants to take time for them. Without wanting to change them.

In the story, Wren's Grandma pays attention to Wren's emotions without wanting to change or transform them. Just the way they are.

The illustrations in the book have a pointillist atmosphere, which makes you want to paint yourself. You see a number of paintings by 'van Gogh' in the book, this picture book is a reference to the adult book series 'shades of light' that Sharon Garlough Brown wrote.

I would recommend this read for every child and adult.

Big thanks to InterVarsity Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

Very good meaning to the book and great story for others but not for my daughter and I. Also I did not care for the artwork with this book.

This is a wonderful children’s book that teaches children that it is okay to be upset with yourself, the world and Jesus. But to keep pushing forward and keep looking ahead because today is not the end! And to Always be proud of your work!

4.5 stars.
I LOVE IT. I adore it.
This is a Christian book for children that somehow touched me as an adult.
The message of the gospel does not limited by ages and forms.
This book inspired me to paint, to talk to God. To be honest with God because well, there is nothing to hide anyway since He knows everything already :)
-0,5 solely because the illustration was not really up my alley.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book teaching children how to deal with all their emotions. Highly recommend!!!

The imagery and art work in this book is just beautiful. Colours, swirls, lines and emotions tell this story. Little girl Wren is disappointed and puts this into her art and pictures. The art work is a gift and a prayer to God offering Him her fears, and worries and nervousness about her life in a safe and colourful way. This is a lovely way to capture what troubles children and share it with God.

What a beautiful book. I was drawn in by the concept of “painting prayers”. A beautiful combination of expressing faith through art/play (which children need). I love the explication of the concept of disappointment, perfection not being the point, and expression of feelings. The beautiful relationship between grandparents and and grandchildren. The art concepts shown and exemplified (such as brush stroke differences). I would suggest this for ages 6+ but may abbreviate it and read it with 4 year olds.