You’ve probably seen the name Savannah Guthrie on your screen for years, delivering the news with that specific blend of morning-show polish and relatable "mom energy." But her foray into the world of kids' literature isn't just a side project or a celebrity vanity play. It’s a response to a very specific, very human question that parents get cornered with at 7:00 PM on a Tuesday. "What is God actually like?"
The Mostly What God Does Is Love You children's book (officially titled Mostly What God Does) is an adaptation of her New York Times bestseller, and it hits a nerve because it strips away the heavy, sometimes scary dogma that can clutter up religious education for little kids. It isn't about rules. It isn't about a giant eye in the sky waiting for you to mess up. It’s about a presence.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at how modern spiritual books are shifting. We are seeing a massive move away from "instructional" faith books toward "relational" ones. This book is the poster child for that shift.
The Real Story Behind the Pages
Savannah Guthrie didn't just wake up and decide to be a theologian. Her own journey with faith has been public and, at times, quite vulnerable. She lost her father at a young age. That kind of trauma does something to your view of the divine. You either walk away, or you lean in until you find something that doesn't break under the weight of grief.
When she wrote the adult version of this book, she was shocked by the resonance. People were thirsty for a version of God that didn't feel like a cosmic hall monitor. Transforming that into a picture book was the logical next step because, let’s be honest, we’re all just tall children trying to feel safe. The Mostly What God Does Is Love You children's book uses simple, lyrical prose to drive home one point: the baseline of the universe is affection.
Allison Sorensen’s illustrations do a lot of the heavy lifting here. They aren't your typical, overly-preachy Sunday school drawings. They are soft, inclusive, and feel like a warm blanket. They show kids in everyday moments—playing, wondering, making mistakes—and remind them that none of those moments take them out of the "love zone."
Why the "Mostly" Matters So Much
It’s a weird word to include, isn't it? Mostly. Most authors would have gone for something absolute like "Always" or "Only." But "mostly" feels honest. In the context of the book, it acknowledges that life is complicated. There are lessons, there is discipline, there are hard days. But the "mostly"—the 99.9%—is just pure, unadulterated care. It gives kids a framework for understanding that even when things go wrong, the core reality hasn't changed.
I’ve talked to parents who use this book as a bridge. Maybe they grew up with a very "hellfire and brimstone" background and they want something different for their kids. This book acts as a sort of deconstruction-lite. It offers a way to talk about spirituality without the baggage of shame.
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Breaking Down the Content
The book follows a gentle rhythm. It talks about how God is in the big things, sure, but mostly God is in the way you feel when you’re tucked in or when you’re helping a friend. It’s an essentialist's view of faith.
- God as a Constant: The narrative emphasizes that God doesn't "leave" when you're bad.
- The Power of Small Moments: It reframes "holy" things as everyday things.
- Accessibility: It doesn't use complex theological terms that require a dictionary.
Some critics might argue that it oversimplifies the nature of the divine. And you know what? They’re right. It does. But it’s a book for kids aged 4 to 8. You don’t teach a child calculus before they can count to ten. You don't give them a treatise on the problem of evil before they understand that they are inherently valuable.
The Mostly What God Does Is Love You children's book is about building the foundation. If the foundation is "I am loved," then the kid has a much better chance of navigating the harder questions later in life without collapsing.
Comparison to Other Modern Classics
If you look at The Invisible String by Patrice Karst or The Quiltmaker's Gift, you see a similar thread. These aren't just stories; they are tools for emotional regulation. Guthrie’s book fits right into this "Spiritual EQ" category. It’s less about teaching a creed and more about fostering a sense of belonging.
Honestly, it reminds me of the way Mr. Rogers used to talk. He didn't have to name God every five minutes to make you feel like you were part of something sacred. Guthrie takes that "you are special" energy and explicitly ties it to a creator.
How to Use This Book in Your Daily Routine
If you’ve got a copy or you’re thinking of grabbing one, don't just read it once and shove it on the shelf. Books like this work best when they become part of the "reassurance loop."
- The "Rough Day" Reset: When your kid has a meltdown or feels like they've failed at something, pull this book out. It’s the ultimate "I still love you and so does the universe" tool.
- Morning Affirmations: Use the core phrase as a mantra. Before they head out to school, just a quick "Remember, mostly what God does is love you." It sticks.
- Nature Walks: The book talks about seeing this love in the world around us. Use it as a scavenger hunt. "Where do we see that love today?"
Parents often struggle with how to introduce prayer without it feeling like a chore. This book suggests that prayer is just... talking. It’s a conversation with someone who already likes you. That’s a game-changer for a kid who thinks they have to say the "right" words to be heard.
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Addressing the Skeptics
Look, if you aren't a person of faith, is this book for you? Maybe. It’s definitely "God-centric," but the values are universal. Kindness, resilience, self-worth—it’s all there. However, if you're looking for a secular book on love, this isn't trying to hide its light under a bushel. It’s unapologetically spiritual.
There’s also the "celebrity author" fatigue. We see a lot of stars putting out books that clearly had a ghostwriter doing 99% of the heavy lifting. With Guthrie, it feels different. Her own public journey with the adult version of the book—including her interviews where she gets visibly choked up talking about her faith—suggests this is a "heart project."
Why It’s Ranking So High in Parental Circles
The reason the Mostly What God Does Is Love You children's book is trending isn't just because of the Today Show's marketing machine. It’s because we are in a period of high anxiety. Kids are stressed. Parents are stressed. The world feels loud and often unkind.
A book that offers a "quiet center" is going to win every time.
It’s also incredibly giftable. Baptism gifts, first communions, or just "I saw this and thought of you" moments. It has that classic feel that makes people think it will be on a nursery shelf for twenty years, not just two months.
Tactical Advice for Parents and Educators
When reading this with a group, ask the kids what they think "mostly" means. You’ll get some wild answers. Some will say it means "almost all the time," and others will say it means "the biggest part." Those conversations are where the real learning happens.
Don't be afraid to lean into the questions. If a kid asks, "What’s the other part? The part that isn't love?" you can be honest. You can talk about how sometimes we feel sad or how we have to learn hard lessons, but that those things are just small islands in a giant ocean of love.
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Final Thoughts on the Guthrie Approach
The Mostly What God Does Is Love You children's book isn't going to solve every theological debate. It isn't going to replace a traditional religious education if that's what you're into. What it will do is provide a safe harbor.
It’s a reminder that at the end of the day, when the lights are low and the house is quiet, the most important thing a child can know is that they aren't alone and they aren't a mistake. Savannah Guthrie hit the nail on the head by keeping it simple.
Faith is complicated. Love isn't.
Take Action: Integrating the Message
If you want to move beyond just reading the book, try these steps:
- Create a "Love Journal": For one week, have your child draw or write one way they felt "the mostly love" each day.
- Identify Your Own "Mostly": As a parent, reflect on your own childhood view of God. If it was fear-based, consider how this book helps you "re-parent" your own inner child while teaching your kids.
- Share the Message: This book is a great conversation starter for families who are "spiritually curious" but not necessarily "traditionally religious."
Grab a copy, find a comfortable chair, and let the message sink in for yourself too. Sometimes the simplest truths are the ones we forget first.
Next Steps for Readers
Check your local independent bookstore for signed copies, as Guthrie often does tours that support local shops. If you're using this in a classroom or church setting, consider pairing it with a craft where kids decorate "Love Stones" to keep in their pockets as a physical reminder of the book's core message. For those who want to go deeper into the "why" behind the book, listening to Guthrie’s interviews on her own faith journey provides a lot of helpful context that makes the reading experience much richer.