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.

In the town of Wemmickville there lives a Wemmick named Punchinello. Each day the residents award stickers–gold stars for the talented, smart, and attractive Wemmicks, and gray dots for those who make mistakes or are just plain ordinary. Punchinello, covered in gray dots, begins to feel worthless. Then one day he visits Eli the woodcarver, his creator, and he learns that his worth comes from a different source. Max Lucado’s beautiful story reminds us that we are special to God just the way we are.

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

Summary: This is a fantasy book about wooden people called the Wemmicks. They were made by a wood maker name Eli. All made different the Wemmicks would put stickers on one another. Good or pretty wood got gold stars and the rough or chipped woods received gray stickers. Punchinello didn't have much talent so he always received gray dots until one day he met Lucia who didn't have any stars on her. She tells him about Eli. After going to see Eli for himself Eli tells him how special he is and all the stars fall off.
Personal reaction: Never let anyone determine your self worth. No matter a gray star or gold star God created us equal. We are all special in Gods eyes. This is a good book for all ages not just children because adults show more sometimes let other people make them feel like they are not special. Adults also as well try to make themselves fit in and worry about what others think of them.
Classroom extension:
1. Have the children do a group project of making their own wood person and describe the good and special things about their wood person.
2. Make are own big gold stars and have each child write something special about another student. After they are done writing the good things pin it on the student they chose and let the child hear how special he or she is. Let them wear their star rest of day in school 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!

Surprisingly (to me) well-told story about learning not to judge yourself by other people's reactions to you and learning value G-d's love for you.

This is a sweet little book my grandmother gave me for Christmas. It's a fun little read and regardless of age, a kind reminder that you are enough just as you are. Obviously it is intended for children but even as an adult, I enjoyed it.