What a beautiful book—both visually and content-wise. It’s a perfect book to share with your children (and yourself) on the concept of lament. What do we do with pain, fear, and disappointment in the context of our Christian faith? How does God respond to our deepest emotions and hardest questions. Through gorgeous illustrations and powerful words, Sharon Garlough Brown tenderly teaches us to bring all of us to the Lord. No prayer too hard or painful is too much to lay at His feet. This is a wonderful book that I recommend to anyone with children in their lives. It’s an incredible way to start a conversation on how God never leaves us or forsakes us and to cry out to Him in all times with all emotions.

I love Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All My Feelings by Sharon Garlough Brown from beginning to end. Not Finished Yet tells the story of a grandmother and granddaughter in Australia and powerful lesson on feelings and how to deal with them. I love the grandmother-granddaughter relationship and that the story was set in Australia. I love the lessons that the Wren, the granddaughter, learns from her grandmother about God and life. I highly recommend Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All My Feelings by Sharon Garlough Brown and believe it would be perfect for any reading setting. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

There is much to love about Not Finished Yet by Sharon Garlough Brown, an endearing new picture book that encourages children (and adults!) to conversationally share their feelings with God – no matter how messy. To know that He cares. That He listens (not just hears). That He values our feelings. That He can handle our disappointment. And that one day He will make this broken world whole and beautiful, without anything sad or scary.

The illustrations in Not Finished Yet are just brimming with heart, and they help to create a soothing tone to the book, even when the characters are talking about hard things like mean girls, unanswered prayers, and disappointment (in ourselves and in God). The main focus of the book isn’t those sad or scary things, though, so don’t worry that it’s heavy or depressing. Rather, everything points back to the safety, security, and love that are found in a friendship with God – mirrored so beautifully in Gran and Wren’s loving relationship. Because they are able to talk honestly about what made Wren feel disappointed and (without dismissing her feelings) how God will one day make all the sad things go away, children can more easily make the connection that prayer is talking with God as we would a best friend or a beloved grandparent/parent. This is such an important concept for all of us to learn, and this book is a precious way to help teach it.

Bottom Line: Much like the Biblical psalms sort through the writer’s sometimes-raw emotions with honest acknowledgment, Not Finished Yet by Sharon Garlough Brown teaches children how to do the same with God in prayer. Not only that, it also shows them that prayer isn’t limited to church or kneeling by the bed or saying flowery words – a conversation between you and God can happen while you’re doing fun things like painting with your grandmother in her art studio. I really loved the depiction – both in the text and in Jessica Linn Evans’ sweet illustrations – of Wren & Gran’s relationship, and I so appreciated the content of this book. Definitely would make a good gift and/or a wonderful addition to any home, school, or church library.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This was a really cool book. There are so many emotions a person (of any age) can have and they don't always mean the same every time. I love how this book talks through that and that talking about it helps you work through it.

#NotFinishedYet #NetGalley

What a cute, unique children’s book! I loved how Wren expressed her feelings and talked to God through her paintings. I think it’s powerful to teach kids that they can connect through God in a variety of ways, especially outside the normal “pray, read scriptures, go to church”. Wren also gained more insight into herself through her painting prayers, which I think also applies to how we gain insight into ourselves through various spiritual practices. The artwork was beautiful and colorful. I love that this book can be used for various ages, because there could be conversations about a number of things, depending on age and maturity level. I would love to read a hard copy of this to my kids! I recommend this to any Christian parent.

Wren loves painting with her grandmother. It makes her feel loved and important. Wren wants to make something beautiful when she paints a prayer to God, but sometimes things don't work out the way we hoped they would. Sometimes people are unkind, animals die, and we make so many mistakes we feel like giving up. Wren realizes while she is often thankful for all God has provided she can still be disappointed or frustrated or sad.

Not Finished Yet is a really lovely story about emotions, how we can express them in a healthy manner, how adults can help children cope with hard feelings, and most importantly, how we can share them with God. Sharon Garlough Brown references Psalm 62:8 in her author's note along with prompts on how to discuss our emotions - good or bad - with those around us, and most importantly, the Lord Himself.

Not Finished Yet is a lovely book with many subtle nuisances, and I believe parents and caregivers will be inspired to have important conversations about the Gospel and prayer.

This book came at the perfect time.

I just asked found a question in a book that suggested, I list every color I can think of and what mood I associate with each color.

Talking about disappointment can be hard but it’s also part of every day life.

Sharon did a great job of talking about the many ways disappointment can look.

Thank you Sharon for a great book that can be shared with my grandchildren that will open up many talks about God, lament, prayers, and the list goes on.

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.

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 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.