You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks) by Max Lucado
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.20 You Save: $6.79 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.04 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks)
Book Review: You Are Loved Because You're YOU!
Summary: 5 Stars
This beautifully-illustrated storybook is an allegory of God's love revealed in a simple story about a little wooden boy who discovers that he has value and is loved simply because he is loved by the one who created him. Punchinello and all the other Wimmicks--little people made of wood--spend their days wandering around and evaluating one another. The standards are set by society: the talented and beautiful receive shiny gold stars; the less attractive and ordinary, an ugly gray dot. Punchinello, who is no different from the other Wimmicks, but excels at nothing in their eyes, is covered with the ugly dots. One day, Punchinello meets Lucia, a Wimmick who has no stickers on her at all. Amazed, he quizzes her and finds that it is because she has come to know Eli, their creator, and this knowledge has given her the ability to feel loved and accepted no matter what anyone else says. Because she is secure in Eli's love, the stickers others try to affix simply will not stay on. Punchinello visits the kind woodcarver and nestles in the love and acceptance of a proud father. He leaves Eli feeling strangely warmed, but still unsure of his worth. As he remembers his time with Eli, he realizes he IS worthy. He IS loved. And the gray dots that have covered his little wooden body begin to fall off. A terrific message for children--an equally important message for the adults who read the story to them.Book Review: A wonderful book, even if you don't have small children!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm of the firm belief that a good story is a good story, no matter how old you are! This beautiful picture book is Max Lucado at his best - he tells the story with a perfect economy of words and the illustrations are perfect.The main character, Punchinello, lives in a world where the wooden people wear "stickers" which are Stars or Grey Dots, depending on what others think of you! Poor Punchinello tries hard to gain others' approval, but keeps missing out and keeps getting grey dots, which means that he is definitely looked down upon in this make-believe society of wooden people.
Finally, our friend meets a wooden girl who has no stickers! When people try to put stars on her, they don't stick! And the grey dots don't stick either! She explains to our main character that this is because she goes to visit Eli, the master woodcarver, who made them all. She doesn't card about the opinions of others. She suggests that Punchinello go visit Eli as well.
When Punchinello goes to visit Eli, he learns an important lesson about the specialness of each created person just because you belong to God! The scenes in Eli's workshop are especially touching.
My 17-year-old just read this book and LOVED it. We also watched the video and didn't think it was as good as the book.
Please check out my other reviews of Christian books and music!
Book Review: Because of His Great Love...
Summary: 5 Stars
I had to write in response to a previous reviewer.
There is nothing in this book antithetical to the gospel. Quite the contrary, this book fits squarely in the context of the classic gospel text Ephesians 2, where it says "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us....". It is because God created us, and He loves His children, that He came down from heaven and died for us. This book also fits squarely with the classic evangelistic tool The 4 Spiritual Laws, from Dr. Bill Bright, namely that "God loves you and has a plan for your life". It is a perfect precursor to the gospel message. In Ephesians 2 Paul goes on to say (just like Punchinello learns) we cannot work our way to God...it is by His grace and favor. The spiritual laws go on to point out we all have a problem with our sin, the things we do wrong...all children should be able to grasp this, the book doesn't detract from that fact. If you know the gospel and it's power to speak into all kinds of backgrounds and viewpoints, there should be no problem with transitioning from Punchinello's need, to Christ's (Eli's) ability to meet that need IN THE CROSS.
I will go on to say this is one of my and my kids favorite books. It speaks to us all of the love of our Creator God and how all those who seek Him will find Him.
Book Review: A Special Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Whever you feel like life is beating you up so hard that nothing can take the burden off you sholders, there are book that sometimes teach you the unspoken words that you need it to hear. In "You are special", Max Lucado makes it clear: there is in every person a character like Punchinello, but to evfery Puchinello there is a Personage (a Beign greater that the knowledge of man can capture) like Eli who can wrap you in His love and make those hard moments fade away.This book ends with the ritual thoughts of mankind: "What are other thinking of me?" or "Am I special to anyone in this world?" It expands the persuasive emotions of being love by Someone that sometimes in this fast-going world we forget to give a minute of our thoughts. It opens the door to be more spiritual and less skeptical.
Also, this book is really easy to follow because the language is simple. The illustrations are GREAT!! It really give a feel to the story.
Beside the Book of Mormon and the Bible, this book has tought me that indeed God love me and that He exists. To me, personally, there is no greater reward or medal in this world that God's love because He created me, a simple person in the immense world.
The money you spent in this book will be worth it.
p.s. GOD LOVE YOU & ME.
Book Review: A major gift of love and acceptance . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
Until my sister told me of this book, I would never have even given it a second look. Max Lucado is not my favorite author by any stretch of the imagination, but this one goes above and beyond any of those deep instructional books he and others have sent out to the world. It's simple, and the story goes right to the heart of the reader. It's definitely a great purchase for yourself or as a gift for others.The story is about a land where beautiful people receive stars, and those not-so-beautiful people receive spots. The Stars naturally all hang out together. The Spots don't really have a group - like us they tend to feel scorned and lonely after awhile. This story is about Punchinello, a small lad with more spots than most, who just wants to be liked. He learns of the Woodcarver who made them all, and gets the courage to visit . . . and begins to just sit and talk like a friend with his maker.
My sis gave it to me as a gift - she said I was one of those strange people that loved kids' stories (and I hope I always will!), but would still get the real meaning behind it. Well, I did. I hope you'll take the chance to read it, and see just what a great story it is, too.