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A Paintbrush for Joni: The True Story of Joni Eareckson Tada and the Savior Who Turns Tragedy into Joy
48 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
About the author
John Greco
66 books9 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2025
The testimony of Joni Eareckson Tada is beautiful and powerful. My almost-6 year old was captivated by her story when we read a short biography about her earlier this year.
When I saw that @harvesthousepublishers has published “A Paintbrush for Joni” going into more detail about Joni’s life, I knew my daughter and I had to read it together.
For those of you who may not know her story, Joni was injured in a diving accident as a teen and paralyzed from her chest down. But during her deepest pain, she lifted her eyes to the Lord. And He has proved Himself trustworthy and faithful, as He always will be.
The publisher classifies this book for middle-grade readers, but I would recommend for even much younger. It is a picture book (with more words on a page than most picture books), but even my 4-year old listened in the story in one sitting. There are elements of major tragedy and despair to be sure - but also even stronger elements of choosing joy in hardship, finding hope in Jesus alone. Not in our circumstances. Not in our health. Only Jesus.
When think on Joni’s life, I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah where God turns our mourning into joy and our sadness into gladness. Amen yes.
When I saw that @harvesthousepublishers has published “A Paintbrush for Joni” going into more detail about Joni’s life, I knew my daughter and I had to read it together.
For those of you who may not know her story, Joni was injured in a diving accident as a teen and paralyzed from her chest down. But during her deepest pain, she lifted her eyes to the Lord. And He has proved Himself trustworthy and faithful, as He always will be.
The publisher classifies this book for middle-grade readers, but I would recommend for even much younger. It is a picture book (with more words on a page than most picture books), but even my 4-year old listened in the story in one sitting. There are elements of major tragedy and despair to be sure - but also even stronger elements of choosing joy in hardship, finding hope in Jesus alone. Not in our circumstances. Not in our health. Only Jesus.
When think on Joni’s life, I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah where God turns our mourning into joy and our sadness into gladness. Amen yes.
June 28, 2025
This picture book biography about Joni Eareckson Tada shares her inspiring Christian testimony. The story begins with her happy and physically active childhood, and then covers the tragic diving accident that paralyzed her from the shoulders down. This tragedy and the illustrated scenes in the hospital may be scary for the youngest or most sensitive readers, but the book presents all of this in an age-appropriate way, and then explores what the recovery process was like for Joni. This book shows how she dealt with questions and doubts about her faith, and includes Bible verses that she found encouraging.
From there, readers will learn about Joni's development as an artist, her growing faith, and her public ministry. The book covers Joni's accomplishments through the 1979 founding of Joni and Friends, her ministry to people with disabilities and their families. Then the book ends with a message of Christian hope, as Joni looks forward to complete healing in heaven, and to being in the presence of Jesus. After that, there is a discussion guide for parents and kids, as well as a page with photos of Joni from throughout her life.
Personally, I wish that this had been longer and covered more details about Joni's life, instead of cutting off at the end of seventies. Since the publisher is recommending this for ages eight to twelve, this could have been more than forty-eight pages long, and could have covered a lot more. However, the brevity can make this appealing for reluctant readers, and makes this short enough for a teacher to read aloud in a church classroom context. This book is also suitable for many kids who are younger than eight, especially if they are reading it with a parent.
Author John Greco, who works with Joni and Friends, did a great job of writing this book in a way that is age-appropriate for kids. He covers key biographical details in a truthful way while also sidestepping some of the darker aspects of Joni's experience, which readers can learn about when they're older. The illustrations from Amélie Videlo also portray what's happening without getting too intense, and the pictures help convey Joni's journey, especially as she learned how to do things in an unconventional way, such as painting with a paintbrush in her mouth. The illustrations add a lot to this book, and I also appreciate how accurate they are to the late 1960s and 1970s era.
This is an inspiring picture book biography about a well-known, beloved figure in Christian culture. Adults who appreciate Joni's testimony and ministry will enjoy introducing her story to the children in their lives, and kids who are going through hardships can relate to Joni and find her story encouraging, seeing that they can also find purpose and joy in life in spite of their challenges.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
From there, readers will learn about Joni's development as an artist, her growing faith, and her public ministry. The book covers Joni's accomplishments through the 1979 founding of Joni and Friends, her ministry to people with disabilities and their families. Then the book ends with a message of Christian hope, as Joni looks forward to complete healing in heaven, and to being in the presence of Jesus. After that, there is a discussion guide for parents and kids, as well as a page with photos of Joni from throughout her life.
Personally, I wish that this had been longer and covered more details about Joni's life, instead of cutting off at the end of seventies. Since the publisher is recommending this for ages eight to twelve, this could have been more than forty-eight pages long, and could have covered a lot more. However, the brevity can make this appealing for reluctant readers, and makes this short enough for a teacher to read aloud in a church classroom context. This book is also suitable for many kids who are younger than eight, especially if they are reading it with a parent.
Author John Greco, who works with Joni and Friends, did a great job of writing this book in a way that is age-appropriate for kids. He covers key biographical details in a truthful way while also sidestepping some of the darker aspects of Joni's experience, which readers can learn about when they're older. The illustrations from Amélie Videlo also portray what's happening without getting too intense, and the pictures help convey Joni's journey, especially as she learned how to do things in an unconventional way, such as painting with a paintbrush in her mouth. The illustrations add a lot to this book, and I also appreciate how accurate they are to the late 1960s and 1970s era.
This is an inspiring picture book biography about a well-known, beloved figure in Christian culture. Adults who appreciate Joni's testimony and ministry will enjoy introducing her story to the children in their lives, and kids who are going through hardships can relate to Joni and find her story encouraging, seeing that they can also find purpose and joy in life in spite of their challenges.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 6, 2025
I love sharing the stories of faithful men and women of God with my kids through storybooks. I think it allows them to uniquely connect to the grand picture God’s Redemptive Story that reaches beyond themselves or their own situations. This picture book biography allows me to do just that. Joni’s story is one that I have carried with me since my own childhood and I have been thrilled to begin sharing her inspiring faith with my girls. This book shows that, though Joni faced tremendous obstacles and challenges, these things pushed her toward God instead of away from Him. I also love how it clearly examples how God can take something that seems bad, and redemptively use it for His glory, our good, and to bless the family of Christ.
This book is intended for middle-grade readers between the ages of 8-12. I have a 5-year-old girl who has developed an interest in Joni through the “Do Great Things for God” series, and I was excited to share this book with her. She connects with Joni’s playful spirit and love of art, and her compassionate heart is stirred by Joni’s story, while also being inspired to trust God and give thanks in EVERYTHING as Joni learned to do. The full page illustrations and short text blocks on each page makes this a great book as independent reading for a wide range of ages, or as a full family read-aloud.
Thank you to HarvestHouse for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
This book is intended for middle-grade readers between the ages of 8-12. I have a 5-year-old girl who has developed an interest in Joni through the “Do Great Things for God” series, and I was excited to share this book with her. She connects with Joni’s playful spirit and love of art, and her compassionate heart is stirred by Joni’s story, while also being inspired to trust God and give thanks in EVERYTHING as Joni learned to do. The full page illustrations and short text blocks on each page makes this a great book as independent reading for a wide range of ages, or as a full family read-aloud.
Thank you to HarvestHouse for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
April 1, 2026
This was a longer book than my daughter normally tolerates (ie a lot of words on each page). But something amazing happened while we read this…
With new books, there is typically quite a bit of protesting. But other than her helping with turning the pages, she was very quiet and attentive the entire time while I read out loud. The last 2 pages brought me to tears.
We prayed together afterwards and just like this book says, one day when God makes everything new (Revelation 21:5), there will be “no more wheelchairs and no more crying. Arms and legs and lungs and hearts will all work like new” and Jocelyn will get to move her entire body, talk and eat and do ALL THE THINGS!! And that with her complete healing, she will get to use her new beautifully healed body to kneel in front of Jesus as her way of saying “Jesus, I love you so much! And You’re better than all the best that was on earth!”
With new books, there is typically quite a bit of protesting. But other than her helping with turning the pages, she was very quiet and attentive the entire time while I read out loud. The last 2 pages brought me to tears.
We prayed together afterwards and just like this book says, one day when God makes everything new (Revelation 21:5), there will be “no more wheelchairs and no more crying. Arms and legs and lungs and hearts will all work like new” and Jocelyn will get to move her entire body, talk and eat and do ALL THE THINGS!! And that with her complete healing, she will get to use her new beautifully healed body to kneel in front of Jesus as her way of saying “Jesus, I love you so much! And You’re better than all the best that was on earth!”
June 13, 2025
Parents and teachers, if you are looking for a beautiful picture book to fill your kids with hope and inspiration in difficult circumstances, this one is for you!
This wonderful picture book tells the story of how Joni Eareckson Tada became an artist, speaker, and author whose spirit of gratitude and resilience has touched the hearts of countless people worldwide.
I loved how this biography helps children to understand that, regardless of the obstacles and challenges they encounter, they too can be used by God in extraordinary ways. The illustrations by Amélie Videlo are beautiful, vividly bringing Joni’s story to life and immersing readers in her world. This book promises to be a delightful read-aloud experience for children of all ages!
A heartfelt thank you to Harvest House Publishers for a gifted copy of this book! I truly appreciate it.
This wonderful picture book tells the story of how Joni Eareckson Tada became an artist, speaker, and author whose spirit of gratitude and resilience has touched the hearts of countless people worldwide.
I loved how this biography helps children to understand that, regardless of the obstacles and challenges they encounter, they too can be used by God in extraordinary ways. The illustrations by Amélie Videlo are beautiful, vividly bringing Joni’s story to life and immersing readers in her world. This book promises to be a delightful read-aloud experience for children of all ages!
A heartfelt thank you to Harvest House Publishers for a gifted copy of this book! I truly appreciate it.
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October 30, 2025I do not rate autobiographies and memoirs.
I am not sure how much Joni Eareckson Tada contributed to the book. The softly-colored illustrations complemented the text so well.
*I appreciate the questions at the end for parents and kids
I am not sure how much Joni Eareckson Tada contributed to the book. The softly-colored illustrations complemented the text so well.
*I appreciate the questions at the end for parents and kids
March 21, 2026
Read with Salem Feb 2026
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews