You Are Special

Title: You are Special
Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Crossway Books
Copyright: 1997 Max Lucado
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:
The Wemmicks are small wooden people created by Eli the woodworker who lives on top of the hill. Every Wemmick was different, and everyday they would give each other stars and dots. Stars if the other Wemmicks thought you were important, or pretty or could do impressive things. And dots if you were different, unattractive or couldn’t do exciting things. Punchinello was covered in dots. He couldn’t jump high, he would fall. And he was clumsy so the other Wemmicks would give him more and more dots. So eventually he stayed inside. Some days he would spend time with the other Wemmicks with dots. This made him feel a little better. One day he met Lucia. She had no stars or dots. The Wemmicks would try to give them to her but they’d simply fall off. Punchinello asked her how she did it. She said that she visited Eli everyday. He was nervous that Eli would not want to see him because he was covered in dots. But he decided that stars and dots were not fair and decided to go see Eli. Punchinello is frightened but then Eli calls out to him. Eli explains that he loves Punchinello and it doesn’t matter what the other Wemmicks think of him. It only matters what Eli thinks. He explains that the stickers only stick if they matter to the person receiving them. He tells Punchinello to come see him everyday. He reminds Punchinello that he loves him and as Punchinello walks out the door, a dot drops to the floor.

Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone!
Potential problems:
I don’t see any problems with this book.
My reaction:
I love love love this book! It has such a beautiful message. It’s also rather metaphorical of our Savior’s love for us. It has wonderful illustrations and in a word it’s beautiful.