A book trailer for Joyce Bolton’s What is God? A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series has been released. This video trailer offers a glimpse into the world of the story’s characters. Readers will love how the novel, written by the author, comes to life through this trailer. Have you ever tried to explain the concept of God to a child? Joyce Bolton’s beautifully written children’s book, What is God?, offers a refreshing, thoughtful, and deeply human approach to this timeless question—through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy named Rusty.
Joyce Bolton lives in Florida, where she enjoys running, biking, golfing, and all water sports in the beautiful warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico—not to mention the pleasures of wearing shorts every day of the year. Joyce graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado and spent the first eleven years teaching and coaching before transitioning to the business world for the last thirty years; however, she says teaching was her true calling. Her daily motto is to listen to great music, fill your day with laughter, and always do the right thing.
The message of What is God? by Joyce Bolton is that understanding God is a personal journey that begins with curiosity, grows through relationships, and deepens with love and reflection. Through the eyes of a child, the book gently explores profound spiritual ideas—such as God being the source of life, love, power, and truth—without forcing a single definition. Instead, it emphasizes that asking questions, listening to others, and experiencing love are all part of discovering what God means to each of us.
Set in a charming small-town neighborhood, this story is more than just a summer adventure—it’s a soul-searching mission of discovery. It all begins with a conversation between Rusty and his best friend Timmy, who can’t skip church to go fishing. This innocent moment sparks a question in Rusty’s curious young mind: What is God?
With the help of his supportive and equally curious mom, Rusty launches a personal project to find out. Each day, they ask people they know—from yoga instructors to soccer coaches—what they think God is. Their answers are written on a whiteboard, shared over dinner, and reflected on with open hearts.
Rather than presenting a single religious doctrine or theological explanation, What is God? celebrates the diversity of thought and the power of inquiry. Each character offers a piece of the puzzle: (1) God is the source of all life. (2) God is all-powerful. (3) God is love. (4) God is spiritual. (5) God is eternal.
These answers become conversation starters, not conclusions. Rusty’s journey mirrors what many of us experience; learning not through lectures, but through relationships, questions, and real-life experiences.
One of the most touching parts of the book is how the project brings Rusty and his mother closer together. Through their shared exploration, we see how spirituality can strengthen family bonds. Their final realization? That love—true, unbounded, divine love—is both the question and the answer.
Joyce Bolton has written a book that’s not just for children; it’s for anyone who’s ever asked a big question with a childlike heart. What is God? doesn’t try to define God in absolute terms. Instead, it invites readers to go on their own journey, to ask, to wonder, and above all, to love.
Whether you’re a believer, a seeker, or somewhere in between, this story is a beautiful reminder: sometimes, the best way to understand the divine is through the honest curiosity of a child. The story teaches that God is not just a concept to define but a presence to experience—through kindness, friendship, joy, and especially through love.
Watch the video trailer below: