God's Cosmic Cookbook

by Elizabeth Cole, Patrick Laurent (Illustrator)

With gentle humor and fun illustrations, this book confidently combines faith and science as God-the-chef helps readers navigate through the Big Bang, Inflation Theory, and getting to know your Goldilocks stars from your supermassive black holes. And that's not all! As you explore God's creative processes, you'll also see some of the beauty and complexity involved in getting things just right for life as we know it to unfold.

This book has been created in partnership with The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge, UK. They have helped in every part of the process to ensure our science and theology are in line with current understandings and discoveries.

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

For the Romance author, see Elizabeth Cole
For the Children's author, see Elizabeth Cole

Reviews

[Shayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading this, I was trying to figure out who the ideal audience would be and I think this book is definitely for home school families who still want to know about astronomy but want a little bit of God added in. There is a lot of good scientific information that coincides with what I remember from my college class on astronomy. It’s actually more scientific than I thought it was going to be. Don’t let the pictures fool you, it’s a full science education. Most of the book is kind of a glossary of astronomy & life science terms. There are some non-science type things like adding Queen Martha Matix and Sir Paynin Theobaum. I’m not sure who they are supposed to represent, but I don’t think it’s Jesus or the Holy Spirit like another reviewer suggested. I just thought they were silly characters, and I don’t understand why they were added. Actually, there isn’t a whole lot about God at all which kind of surprised me given the title.

I really did expect it to be more science- lite based on the cover. I’m not super into science, and I’ll admit I only read read 50% of it and skimmed the rest. My overall review is that it would be great for any middle or high school student who wants to start exploring astronomy, but your parents are against science because it leaves out God. This at least gives a nod to God creating the universe, but still includes all the scientific views like the Big Bang, evolution, (gasp) Charles Darwin and global warming in a palatable way conservative Christians might not completely hate. However, I think they might be disappointed about not having enough God in the book which puts it in a weird no man’s land and has me questioning who the audience is for the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy me with a of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth Ukeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God's Cosmic Cookbook" is a delightful children's book that takes young readers on an exciting journey through the vast wonders of the universe. I had the privilege of exploring this captivating blend of astronomy and cosmic creation.

From the very first page, the book bursts with lovely illustrations that transport readers to the outer reaches of space. The author's storytelling prowess shines as they guide young minds through the awe-inspiring cosmic ingredients used by God to cook up the universe. The combination of playful language and accessible explanations makes complex astronomical concepts easy for children to grasp.

What sets this book apart is its ability to foster a sense of wonder and curiosity in its young readers. It skillfully intertwines scientific facts with imaginative storytelling, encouraging children to ponder the mysteries of the universe. By introducing concepts like the Big Bang and the formation of galaxies in a fun and engaging manner, "God's Cosmic Cookbook" ignites a spark of interest in astronomy that can potentially inspire young minds to explore the wonders of science further.



- An ARC Reader's Review

[Evalina · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I saw the title of this book, I knew I was going to read it for review. I am ALWAYS interested when someone attempts a book on the subject of Creation. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. I can honestly say this was a creative attempt to deconstruct Biblical creation and other biblical beliefs and that is where a large part of the problem lies.

The author states this book was created in partnership with The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion located in Cambridge UK to “…ensure [their] science and theology are in line with current understandings and discoveries.” When I went to their website, I found the following statement: “…Faraday firmly believed in God as creator, but was critical of the natural theology that dominated much early Victorian science, and neither did he look to the Bible as a source of scientific information.…”

With this knowledge, the author then produces a book that includes the characters of God along with two others: a woman of color and her friend a physicist dubbed “Maestro”—both of whom “God” said were with him when he made the universe. This reference to the Trinity presents one of the characters as female, where several Bible verses identify each member of the Trinity as male. This is just one of the issues I have with this book. I will not waste time discussing the other issues as I tend to lose patience with publications that present God the way THEY want Him to be instead of how He is already stated to be. The author attempts to diminish God by ignoring the way God has identified Himself in the Bible—the very book they want to discount. In reality, science does not back up the theories proposed in this book yet the author has chosen to present theory as fact.

I do not recommend this book nor would I encourage its purchase. I give it one star because I can’t give t less. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Denise Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book was so intriguing that I just had to read it! Written from God’s perspective and giving instructions to any prospective universe creator, it explains how the universe was made.

This is a brilliant marriage between creation theory and scientific evolution, and although it gives greater weight to scientific theory, it doesn’t disregard creation. In fact, hearing how complex the universe is & how precise conditions need to be to enable life to flourish, I can’t help thinking that the Big Bang needed a creator behind it, in order for it to have worked the way it does.

There is a lot of scientific theory in here. I didn’t know, for example, that moons are needed to stop planets from wobbling in their orbit. Having said that, the way the facts are presented, makes it an easy read.

I thoroughly recommend this book to Christians and moon-believers alike.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brian Kerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a bit conflicted about this book. On the one hand it was an imaginative and fun way to present the origin of the universe and life. God is the cook explaining how he 'cooked' everything into existence. If you want to learn about the contemporary scientific explanation of origins, both of the physical universe and of life, this is a helpful book. On the other hand, it failed to integrate what scripture has to say about creation with this scientific explanation. There are a few scripture verses quoted at the very end but notably none from Genesis. The problem is that the book is supposed to be a Christian book. (If it were just a science book, I could have given it a better rating.) I suppose the author is a theistic evolutionist, believing that, given enough time and the right conditions, life can arise from non-life. Despite being the cook, God seemed rather passive in the whole process! On this account, despite his presence, it seems to me he wasn't really needed.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super informative- and non shame-y on either side of the spectrum: secular or not. I enjoyed this, and my kids in 5th and 3rd are going to enjoy this one too! We struggle to find a balance between belief and incorporating science as well- as we believe it coexists and this fit the bill perfectly!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to get an arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are
My own.

[Carol Standish-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction for younger readers to science and the Christian faith. An interesting read that deals with the science of the cosmos and how the universe came into being. A nice touch of humour and great illustrations. It is never patronising to the younger readers but shows how faith and science can co-exist quite happily in the same space. No pun intended.

[Samantha Steipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so cute! I think it is great for kids who want to know more about how the world was formed or the big bang theory.I just reviewed God’s Cosmic Cookbook by Elizabeth Cole and Patrick Laurent. #GodsCosmicCookbook #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

[Kayrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic educational and fun science storybook, suitable for kids and grown-ups.

Perhaps too mentally stimulating for bedtime reading - this book is whip smart and I'm so grateful I got to read it.

I received a free ARC copy to review and I am leaving this feedback voluntarily.

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Created with middle schoolers in mind, “God’s Cosmic Cookbook,” is approximately 200-pages of cartoon-illustrated scientific text created by Elizabeth Cole and Patrick Laurent in conjunction with Britain’s renowned Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at Cambridge University.

From the Big Bang Theory; Black Holes; Charles Darwin’s evolution of the species; molecular DNA; continental drift and plate tectonics; greenhouse gases and climate changes; and much, much, more, this little “cook book” is admittedly advanced in it’s reach and undertaking—especially since, theoretically, the audience for this simplified science book is grammar school students.

I’m of the belief that even high schoolers and college students can benefit from this little primer that more easily explains difficult science and physics concepts than many trained professionals. There’s even a Periodic Table of the Elements included. Are fourth and fifth graders learning about their gases, heavy metals, etc. now? My how times change.

TheBookMaven graciously thanks NetGalley, Authors Elizabeth Cole and Patrick Laurent, and Publisher John Murray Press an Imprint of Hodder & Stoughton for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.