You Are Special

Title: You Are Special

Author: Max Lucado

Publisher: Crossway Books

Date: 2001

Number of pages: 32 Pages

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Children's Picture Book.

Summary: This is a book about Punchinello who is a Wemmick, a wooden person in a village of wooden people. They were all made by Eli, the creator who lives in the workshop on the hill outside of town. Each Wemmick is different and unique. But the Wemmicks went around every day and put stickers on each other; the beautiful people got golden stars and the rough and chipped people got grey dots. Those who got stars felt better and good about themselves and those who got dots felt sad. Some people had a mix, but poor Punchinello only ever got dots. He soon began to believe he was not a good person because he only ever got grey dots. Then he meets Lucia and she has no dots or stars and they do not stick to her. He asks her why she is different and she says it is because she visits Eli, so he goes to see him. Soon he realizes that he matters because he was made by a creator who loves him. The pictures as your turn from page to page, almost make the wimmicks, and Eli look true to life. Eli explains to Punchinello that in this life, he needs not be concerned with what his peers thinks, the only opinion that matters is that of his maker. What Eli encourages Punchinello to do is to go home that first afternoon, and find it in himself to love himself, and see his self-worth, through this, the dots will begin to fall off. Punchinello is encouraged to return day after day to spend time with his creator, to gain a personal appreciate and love for not only his self, but learn to accept others not for their flaws and talents, but also for trust in their maker – and faith.

My reaction: This book is a simple metaphor to teach that your value does not come from others, but from your creator and the damage when you let others determine your value. The artwork is beautiful and the short story is a perfect length. Each person can identify with the main character Punchinello who in the end just considers (doesn't even fully believe) maybe his creator does really love him.We can strive to be better people, but we are best motivated to do this when we know that someone cares deeply about us.

Potential Problems: Potential religious themes that can be take from the book. Cautious in using it in classrooms where parents may not agree.

My recommendation: I'd like to see this book on everyone's bookshelf and shared in every child’s elementary class. It serves not only as a gospel principle but also a wonderful story of self-encouragement to boost children’s self-esteem in a healthy manner.