“… God is an all-powerful god that is the source of all life. The only power is God, and it is always good. God is the creator of everything, and it is always good. God removes fear.”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish “What Is God? :A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series” by Joyce Bolton. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
“What Is God? :A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series” by Joyce Bolton is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of faith, seen through the eyes of an inquisitive young boy named Rusty. Told with gentle humor and a keen sense of childhood wonder, the book embarks on a meaningful journey as Rusty—sparked by a conversation with his best friend Timmy—seeks to understand the elusive yet powerful concept of God. What follows is not a dry theological treatise, but an imaginative, tender, and enlightening quest that blends everyday experiences with profound spiritual insight.
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 book opens with Rusty enjoying a carefree summer day at the neighborhood recreation park. But when Timmy mentions that learning about God is the most important knowledge one can pursue, Rusty is struck by the realization that he doesn’t know what God is. This curiosity sets the stage for a unique mother-son project: a quest to ask people around them what they think God is. From this simple but powerful premise, the story blossoms into a rich tapestry of perspectives and insights.
Each chapter introduces new characters—friends, coaches, teachers, neighbors—who offer heartfelt, thoughtful answers to Rusty’s question. These range from “God is love,” “God is spirit,” “God is all-powerful,” to “God is the source of life.” Through these conversations, Rusty and his mother engage in deep reflection, gaining not only new understanding but a stronger emotional bond.
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.
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.
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.
“What Is God? :A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series” by Joyce Bolton is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: