You Are Special

I would never have picked up this book on my own, what with the unfortunate title, but I'm ever so grateful that I found it on my Unitarian Universalist minister's bookshelf. If I were Christian, this would be a 5-star book, so I recommend it to monotheists. This is basically a Sneetches with a Christian spin that had both me and my son sitting in silent contemplation and wonder, flippng through the pages and thinking more deeply about that "mystery which some people call God." It then prompted a meaningful discussion about popularity, poverty, and conformity. Definitely a thought-provoking read with a title that is sure to keep it unpopular for years to come.

I loved reading this book because it talked about a universal truth that is not just important for kids to hear but for every single person to hear. This book has a Christian theme to it, conveying to the reader that only thing that makes them who they are is who made them who they are; God. That is such an essential truth that every person needs to hear. What is cool about this book though is that even if the reader does not have a faith in God, their is still a lot of good lessons to be learned from it. The reader can learn that other peoples opinions of you don't matter and only you get to decide what is true about you or not. This book really used emotions to get the reader to feel as if they themselves are the main character; show more trying to figure out how to not be affected by other peoples opinions. The illustrations also lead the reader to really feel the emotions of the characters and step into the story. This book will make the reader understand that we all have wonderful differences that make us each unique and special. show less

In You Are Special, Max Lucado tells the story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick who believes that he isn't good enough because of what others say about him. When will Punchinello realize how truly special he is?

You Are Special is a beautiful story that reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. It is through spending daily time with Him that we begin to see ourselves through His eyes. This is an important truth that children and parents need to know: God loves us even though we make mistakes and have flaws!

I absolutely love this book. I think it's a great read for kids and has a really great message. The story is about a town full of Wemmicks, wooden people, who walk around and give each other stars or dots. The pretty, talented people get stars but the ugly ones get dots. Punchinello never gets stars, only dots. A man named Eli, the woodcarver/ creator, gets Punchinello to realize that those dots only stick if he lets them. When he learns to let go of what others think, the dots fall off of him. This is a message that all kids should learn; don't worry so much about how other people see you. This book is full of very meaningful imagery that helps the reader follow along with the story. I especially love that you can see the shift in show more Punchinello's face as he learns to let go; he looks much happier. There's so much bullying in person and on social media that kids are becoming very aware of how other people view them. This book is a reminder that other peoples' opinions of you doesn't matter. Although I think it is supposed to be a metaphor for God, children of any or no religion can read this in a non-religious way being that Eli is just a woodmaker. show less

This book is about the Wemmicks, they are small wooden people that are created by the wood carver Eli. The Wemmicks would give each other stickers, stars are good, and dots are bad. Punchinello was only given dots, and he did not like the sticker system of the Wemmicks, and met a Wemmick that stickers didn't stick to. She told him to go see Eli. After going to see Eli, he tells him that he loves him and thinks he is special. This makes Punchinello happy, and the dots start to fall off of him. This would be a great read aloud book for any age as it can help to teach uniqueness and not caring if others think that you are not good enough.

In You Are Special, Max Lucado tells the story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick who believes that he isn't good enough because of what others say about him. When will Punchinello realize how truly special he is?

You Are Special is a beautiful story that reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. It is through spending daily time with Him that we begin to see ourselves through His eyes. This is an important truth that children and parents need to know: God loves us even though we make mistakes and have flaws!

Summary:
This book is about a Wemmick named Punchinello whol feels like he is not worth being a Wemmick. He never got stars only gray dots, and a lot of them. He feels worthless. One day he meets a Wemmick named Lucia who has no dots or stickers. She tells him to visit the wood worker that made them. When he does he learns that it is okay to not be liked by the others. He is special the way he is.
Personal Reflection:
The first time I read this book I actually cried! This is such a sweet book about acceptance and caring for others. I was bullied when I was younger because of my disability and this book would have been a great book for me to have back then.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) Read this book to the students and have them talk show more about how they would feel if they were Punchinello. Talk to them about different feeling and how people would feel if they were treated the same way as Punchinello.
2) Have the students do a 4 square about the time they were bullied, when they were a bully, when they saw someone being bullied and helped and a time the saw someone being bullied and just sat back and watched. show less