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The Trinity: Little Seminary's Guide to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
This colorful and creative board book explains the complexities of the trinity in simple and accurate terms that will help little ones get to know God.
The trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—can be a difficult concept for adults to grasp, let alone children. This board book, part of the Little Seminary series for little ones, explores the three persons of God, explaining how each is fully God, how they each have different roles, and how they perfectly love each other, just as God perfectly loves us.
Coupled with vibrant illustrations that will capture kids’ imaginations, the Trinity familiarizes children with the threefold nature of God and brings them one step closer to a future relationship with Jesus.
***
The Little Seminary series for children ages infant to four introduces little ones to complex theological concepts in a simple yet biblically accurate way, moving them closer toward a working knowledge of Christianity and a lifelong relationship with Jesus.
The trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—can be a difficult concept for adults to grasp, let alone children. This board book, part of the Little Seminary series for little ones, explores the three persons of God, explaining how each is fully God, how they each have different roles, and how they perfectly love each other, just as God perfectly loves us.
Coupled with vibrant illustrations that will capture kids’ imaginations, the Trinity familiarizes children with the threefold nature of God and brings them one step closer to a future relationship with Jesus.
***
The Little Seminary series for children ages infant to four introduces little ones to complex theological concepts in a simple yet biblically accurate way, moving them closer toward a working knowledge of Christianity and a lifelong relationship with Jesus.
- GenresChildrens
20 pages, Board Book
Published June 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 16, 2021
2.5 stars
The Trinity attempts to present this complex theological concept in a way that is relatable to young children. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite simplify the concept enough to make it easily understandable by kids. If I wasn’t already well familiar with the concept of the Trinity, I probably would have been a bit confused by the way this book presented the topic, so I can only imagine how confused children would be. This book also could have easily been adjusted to be a bit more kid-friendly by switching out some more complex words such as “glorifies” and “accomplishes”—or in the case of “glorifies,” at least explain what the term means. That being said, it’s an extremely complex concept to tackle, so I applaud the author’s attempt to distill it down.
Like Imago Dei, the other entry in this series of board books introducing young readers to concepts of Christianity, the illustrations were fun and colorful, but just a bit too abstract and interpretive to be fully relatable and help explain the concepts to young children. However, since the accompanying words in this book didn’t explain the concept quite as well as Imago Dei did, it was more of an issue here.
Overall, I loved the concept, but unfortunately this book wasn’t quite successful in its mission.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harvest House for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Trinity attempts to present this complex theological concept in a way that is relatable to young children. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite simplify the concept enough to make it easily understandable by kids. If I wasn’t already well familiar with the concept of the Trinity, I probably would have been a bit confused by the way this book presented the topic, so I can only imagine how confused children would be. This book also could have easily been adjusted to be a bit more kid-friendly by switching out some more complex words such as “glorifies” and “accomplishes”—or in the case of “glorifies,” at least explain what the term means. That being said, it’s an extremely complex concept to tackle, so I applaud the author’s attempt to distill it down.
Like Imago Dei, the other entry in this series of board books introducing young readers to concepts of Christianity, the illustrations were fun and colorful, but just a bit too abstract and interpretive to be fully relatable and help explain the concepts to young children. However, since the accompanying words in this book didn’t explain the concept quite as well as Imago Dei did, it was more of an issue here.
Overall, I loved the concept, but unfortunately this book wasn’t quite successful in its mission.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harvest House for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2021
The Trinity is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian faith to grasp. One God, three persons? It's hard for most adults to understand. McKenzie does a great job of explaining this tricky concept in a way that is understandable for young kids and perhaps adults too.
It is simplistic and bare-bones, so it may not answer all of an older child's questions, but it's a good way to introduce vocabulary and it can serve as a starting point for deeper conversations to be had in the future. As a parent, I think it's a helpful way to start talking about core aspects of theology even with small kids.
If I had any criticism, it would be that I wasn't in love with the illustrations. However, they do communicate the concepts, and that's the important part.
Thank you to Ryan McKenzie, Harvest House Publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book!
It is simplistic and bare-bones, so it may not answer all of an older child's questions, but it's a good way to introduce vocabulary and it can serve as a starting point for deeper conversations to be had in the future. As a parent, I think it's a helpful way to start talking about core aspects of theology even with small kids.
If I had any criticism, it would be that I wasn't in love with the illustrations. However, they do communicate the concepts, and that's the important part.
Thank you to Ryan McKenzie, Harvest House Publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book!
February 12, 2021
The Trinity
Little Seminary's Guide to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
by Ryan McKenzie
Back of the Book: “This colorful and creative board book explains the complexities of the trinity in simple and accurate terms that will help little ones get to know God.
The trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—can be a difficult concept for adults to grasp, let alone children. This board book, part of the Little Seminary series for little ones, explores the three persons of God, explaining how each is fully God, how they each have different roles, and how they perfectly love each other, just as God perfectly loves us.
Coupled with vibrant illustrations that will capture kids’ imaginations, the Trinity familiarizes children with the threefold nature of God and brings them one step closer to a future relationship with Jesus.
The Little Seminary series for children ages infant to four introduces little ones to complex theological concepts in a simple yet biblically accurate way, moving them closer toward a working knowledge of Christianity and a lifelong relationship with Jesus.”
Impressions: Let’s preface this review with the fact that the Holy Trinity is not easily explained. That being said I did not feel this book was helpful in any way. We have talked as a family about the Trinity prior to this book. I was hoping that this resource would help our boys to continue in their understanding of the Trinity but this didn’t explain much of anything.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.
Little Seminary's Guide to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
by Ryan McKenzie
Back of the Book: “This colorful and creative board book explains the complexities of the trinity in simple and accurate terms that will help little ones get to know God.
The trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—can be a difficult concept for adults to grasp, let alone children. This board book, part of the Little Seminary series for little ones, explores the three persons of God, explaining how each is fully God, how they each have different roles, and how they perfectly love each other, just as God perfectly loves us.
Coupled with vibrant illustrations that will capture kids’ imaginations, the Trinity familiarizes children with the threefold nature of God and brings them one step closer to a future relationship with Jesus.
The Little Seminary series for children ages infant to four introduces little ones to complex theological concepts in a simple yet biblically accurate way, moving them closer toward a working knowledge of Christianity and a lifelong relationship with Jesus.”
Impressions: Let’s preface this review with the fact that the Holy Trinity is not easily explained. That being said I did not feel this book was helpful in any way. We have talked as a family about the Trinity prior to this book. I was hoping that this resource would help our boys to continue in their understanding of the Trinity but this didn’t explain much of anything.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.
April 9, 2021
The trinity is a difficult concept for adults to understand, let alone children. This is a brave attempt to explain their relationship.
The simple drawings work on some of the pages. I’m not exactly sure who the intended audience is, but I suspect that some of the symbols chosen won’t mean to the child what the author intended, e.g. why does a hand held up in a ‘stop’ position represent God the Father? Also, a dove is used to represent the Holy Spirit but there is no explanation as to why.
Some of the pages are the sort of illustration which could be used in a Sunday School class to help explain the Trinity but I’m not sure why you would buy the book just for one or two images.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The simple drawings work on some of the pages. I’m not exactly sure who the intended audience is, but I suspect that some of the symbols chosen won’t mean to the child what the author intended, e.g. why does a hand held up in a ‘stop’ position represent God the Father? Also, a dove is used to represent the Holy Spirit but there is no explanation as to why.
Some of the pages are the sort of illustration which could be used in a Sunday School class to help explain the Trinity but I’m not sure why you would buy the book just for one or two images.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2021
While the illustrations are bright and colorful, the thing I most enjoyed about The Trinity by Ryan McKenzie is that it didn't try to make God easily understandable. This book broke down The Trinity into easy-to-understand bite-sized truths, but didn't try to force the miracle of The Trinity into a cutesy metaphor that looses the beautiful mystery that is the three persons in one God.
I am so excited that this resource exists for when my daughter starts asking questions about what we mean when we say The Trinity, which is a topic that is so profound and complex. This book summarizes the miracle of The Trinity down beautifully, simply, and accurately.
I am so excited that this resource exists for when my daughter starts asking questions about what we mean when we say The Trinity, which is a topic that is so profound and complex. This book summarizes the miracle of The Trinity down beautifully, simply, and accurately.
March 20, 2021
Review to be added to Amazon UK & US on 1st June 2021 - publication day!
I liked the idea behind this book but it is far too complex in my view for the age range given.
My daughter is four in July – I had to read parts of this twice myself and it is certainly not one I am going to be ready with her as she wouldn’t understand it.
Nice idea but needs to be really simplified if you are looking at that age range
It is 1 star sadly from me for this one.
I liked the idea behind this book but it is far too complex in my view for the age range given.
My daughter is four in July – I had to read parts of this twice myself and it is certainly not one I am going to be ready with her as she wouldn’t understand it.
Nice idea but needs to be really simplified if you are looking at that age range
It is 1 star sadly from me for this one.
April 18, 2024
No matter how you try to simplify it, the concept of the Trinity is just not easy to explain. The content and the pictures in this book are just not very interesting to little ones, and I think the whole concept is better explained just through conversation. However, this book would be beneficial for parents who don't have a good theological understanding of the Trinity themselves... But chances are, those aren't the type of parents that have their hands on books like this anyway :/
February 19, 2021
Since this is a book for young readers the text is fairly basic, almost like a boiled-down version of a basic liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. The illustrations work well with that style, producing a fun and readable little book.
March 7, 2021
This is the second book in the series which attempted to introduce this complex topic to young children. This concept was still very complex for the reader though. For my full review please follow the link below.
https://cembookportal.blogspot.com/20...
https://cembookportal.blogspot.com/20...
April 20, 2021
I wasn't sure how this author was going to try to explain the trinity to kids, especially since it's a hard concept to teach adults. With the use of graphics, the author does a pretty decent job based on the Nicene Creed.
June 10, 2021
An easy to understand picture book to help children learn about the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Even a great reminder for us adults. (I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.)
October 10, 2025
The use of the hand for God the Father is unhelpful and I wonder if it violates the second commandment
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews