Matthew Paul Turner

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About Matthew Paul Turner

Matthew Paul Turner is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller What Is God Like? as well as When God Made You and When I Pray for You. When the father of three isn’t writing books, he’s photographing interesting people and places, practicing wood carving, and watching his children play soccer. Visit his website at matthewpaulturner.com.

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Titles By Matthew Paul Turner

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When God Made You Feb 28, 2017

by Matthew Paul Turner, David Catrow

( 16,385 )

$4.99

YOU, you… God thinks about you.
God was thinking of you long before your debut.

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew
That the world needed someone exactly like you!

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Board book

What Is God Like? Jun 15, 2021

by Rachel Held Evans, Matthew Paul Turner, Ying Hui Tan, Daniel Jonce Evans

( 1,391 )

$8.99

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The late, beloved Rachel Held Evans answers many children's first question about God in this gorgeous picture book, fully realized by her friend Matthew Paul Turner, the bestselling author of When God Made You.

Children who are introduced to God, through attending church or having loved ones who speak about God, often have a lot of questions, including this ever-popular one: What is God like? The late Rachel Held Evans loved the Bible and loved showing God’s love through the words and pictures found in that ancient text. Through these pictures from the Bible, children see that God is like a shepherd, God is like a star, God is like a gardener, God is like the wind, and more. God is a comforter and support.

And whenever a child is unsure, What Is God Like? encourages young hearts to “think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel loved, and what makes you feel brave. That's what God is like.”

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

All the Colors of Christmas Sep 8, 2020

by Matthew Paul Turner, Gillian Gamble

( 1,031 )

$7.99

The bestselling author of When God Made You and When I Pray for You captures the wonder of Christmas and the joy of Jesus' birth in a lyrical exploration of what makes the season so colorful, magical, and personal.

In his trademark style, Matthew Paul Turner celebrates the Christmas season, particularly the colors that infuse the holiday and all the memorable sensations and experiences—including a festive market, sledding, and nativity scene—connected to those bright hues. Matthew draws his readers into a whirling ribbon of the familiar reds and greens of Christmas, as well as other festive hues, including white, gold, blue, and brown.

Christmas is RED.
It's a bright shiny sled.
It's candy canes,
and toy store lanes.
It's sprinkles on sweet bread.
Christmas is BROWN
It’s pinecones scattered round…
It’s a cradle soft with hay
And a donkey’s gentle bray.

It’s God within
a baby’s skin
on that very first Christmas Day.

All the colors come together when readers are reminded that Christmas is YOU—you’re a part of the story, the joy and the glory! Matthew shows us again and again that the holidays are nothing without being with the people we love, celebrating treasured traditions, and making new memories—all in vivid color.

Other Formats: Hardcover

When God Made the World Jan 28, 2020

by Matthew Paul Turner, Gillian Gamble

( 1,617 )

$6.99

From the author of the bestselling children's book When God Made You comes a rhythmic, whimsical journey through creation--for little readers who love science and wonder and the beginnings of all things.

For spiritual parents who are looking for a different kind of creation book, Matthew Paul Turner's When God Made the World focuses on the complex way that God created our vast and scientifically operating universe, including the biodiversity of life on our planet and the intricacies of a vast solar system. Scottish illustrator Gillian Gamble brings the natural world to vibrant life with rich colors and poignant detail certain to stretch young minds and engage imaginations.

Planet Earth, God made a blue and green sphere,
And designed it to orbit the sun once a year.

God made daytime and nighttime, climates and seasons,
And all kinds of weather that vary by region.

God made continents and oceans, islands and seas,
A north and south pole that God put in deep freeze.

God carved rivers and brooks, mountains and caves,
Made beaches with sand and huge crashing waves.

God made tropics and plateaus, glaciers and meadows,
marshes and tundras and erupting volcanos.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

When I Pray for You Feb 19, 2019

by Matthew Paul Turner, Kimberley Barnes

( 6,671 )

$5.99

USA TODAY, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

From the author of the best-selling When God Made You comes a new illuminating message about God's design affirming young readers.

With lyricism, whimsy, and heartfelt emotion, Matthew Paul Turner reveals the tender emotions connected with watching a beloved child grow up and experience the world. Paired with Kimberley Barnes's vivid and playful illustrations, When I Pray for You is a beautifully affirming book, in which children and parents will see their own stories come to life.

When I Pray for You celebrates the dreams, hopes, and longings parents pray over their children, and shares with the little ones how much care and concern a loved one feels for them.

This is a book you will read to your child again and again. Perfect for any occasion, as well as for milestones including baby showers, birthdays, and graduations.

From the moment I saw you,
I started to pray.
Big prayers and small ones
I have sent God's way.

I prayed you felt safe,
full of joy and content.
When I whispered "I love you,"
you knew what I meant.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Board book

When God Made Light Feb 13, 2018

by Matthew Paul Turner, David Catrow

( 1,115 )

$6.99

From the author and illustrator of the best-selling When God Made You comes a new illuminating message about God's design affirming young readers.

'Let there be light!' that's what God said. And light began shining and then started to spread." Wild and creative illustrations from top children's illustrator David Catrow pair with Matthew Paul Turner's lyrical verse in this message of a God-made light that cuts through darkness to bring vision and hope to all young readers. This light radiates, chasing away the shadows, providing the wonder and fun of stargazing or firefly chasing. Most important, this light appears in each child--an inner God-given spark that grows and will be used to change the world.

Other Formats: Hardcover

Hear No Evil: My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost Feb 10, 2010

by Matthew Paul Turner

( 76 )

$5.99

Every Life Has a Soundtrack.

If you’ve ever had the opening bars of a song transport you back in time or remind you of a pivotal spiritual moment, Matthew Paul Turner’s honest—and frequently hilarious—musings will strike a chord. Straightforward and amusing, Hear No Evil is Turner’s “life soundtrack,” a compilation of engaging personal stories about how music—and music’s ability to transform—has played a key role in his spiritual life.

Groove along on his journey as young evangelical Turner attends forbidden contemporary Christian concerts, moves to “Music City” Nashville, and dreams of becoming the Michael Jackson of Christian music.

Cosmic and compelling, keen and funny, every page is a new encounter with the people, places, and experiences that have taught the music-editor-turned-author some new things about God, forced him out of his comfort zone, and introduced him to a fresh view of grace along the way.

Other Formats: Paperback

Our Great Big American God: A Short History of Our Ever-Growing Deity Aug 19, 2014

by Matthew Paul Turner

( 57 )

$1.99

Americans love God. We stamp God on our money, our bumper stickers, and our bodies. Yet culture critic Matthew Paul Turner says that God didn't just change America-America changed God. As a result, do we even recognize the "real" God?

Whip-smart and provocative, Turner explores the United States' vast influence on God, told through an amazing true history of faith, politics, and evangelical pyrotechnics. From Puritans to Pentecostals, from progressives to mega-pastors, Turner examines how American history and ideals transformed our perception of God-for better and worse.

Fearless and funny, this is the definitive guide to the American experience of the Almighty-a story so bizarre and incredible that it could only be made in the U.S.A. Regardless of political affiliation, it will make readers reconsider the way they think about America as a "Christian nation," and help them reimagine a better future for God and country.

Other Formats: Hardcover

Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess Sep 27, 2008

by Matthew Paul Turner

( 136 )

$7.99

He spent his childhood trapped within the confines of countless bizarre, strict rules. And lived to tell about it.

In this first-hand account, author Matthew Paul Turner shares amusing–sometimes cringe-worthy–and poignant stories about growing up in a fundamentalist household, where even well-intentioned contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be “of the devil.”

churched is a collection of stories that detail an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed let their hair grow to touch their ears (“an abomination!”), women wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of pants (unless swimming), and the pastor couldn’t preach a sermon without a healthy dose of hellfire and brimstone. Matthew grapples with the absurdity of a Sunday School Barbie burning, the passionate annual boxing match between the pastor and Satan, and the holiness of being baptized a fifth time–while growing into a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

I Am God's Dream Apr 26, 2022

by Matthew Paul Turner

$7.99

A beautiful celebration of the unique, strong traits that every child has—and how God adores and delights in all of our strengths and quirks—from the bestselling author of When God Made You.

I Am God's Dream is a deeply encouraging exploration of the unique strengths, curiosities, and desires in every kid. In this deeply affirming picture book, children will see how God celebrates and adores each of us—and why we should be proud to be who we are. Kids of all faith traditions will receive in these pages the gift of empowerment, purpose, and ownership over their own faith perspective early on through Matthew Paul Turner's lyrical phrasing:

I'm strong and I'm brave
I'm a one-kid parade
I'm gonna be be who I am 'cause I'm wonderfully made

In I Am God's Dream, kids will discover:
• The truth that God loves us deeply, and delights in who we are
• The unique strengths and traits that make up our lives
• The beautiful richness in diversity

Parents and children alike will be encouraged in these vivid and empowering pages.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

Relearning Jesus: How Reading the Beatitudes One More Time Changed My Faith Apr 1, 2011

by Matthew Paul Turner

( 14 )

$9.99

For Matthew Paul Turner, a spiritual drought was stretching into a desert. From his upbringing in a traditional church, to his stint as the editor of CCM Magazine, to his successful career as an author, Turner had long figured God out.

Yet despite his faith-based bona fides, Turner was now facing a sobering reality: He couldn't seem to connect with the Jesus who had always seemed so available. In his desperation, Turner revisited Christ's most provocative message, the Beatitudes. What he discovered led him to relearn his faith, his life, and his God.

Join popular author and humorist Matthew Paul Turner on a quest to discover just who Jesus is. Here Turner applies his x-ray insights and biting wit to cut through don't-ask-questions dogma, revealing authentic, transformative truths. More than one man's spiritual manifesto, Relearning Jesus is a dialogue, a shared journey, and a reintroduction to our Savior.

Other Formats: Paperback

Llama Llama Loves Obama Aug 12, 2012

by Matthew Paul Turner, Matthew Paul Mewhorter

( 22 )

$1.99

Do you like humor? Politics? Children's books? Llamas?!?! Then Llama Llama Loves Obama is the perfect book for you!

This full-colored, 52-page picture ebook is chock-full of politically-charged humor. A children's book parody for adults! This book is fun, filled with visually-stimulating illustrations, and offers readers an engaging, Dr. Seussesque rhyme.

Based on the well-loved (and popular) "Llama Llama" children's book series by Anna Dewdney, the wonderful (and new) Llama Llama Loves Obama will delight you throughout this long and overwhelming political season.

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