A Classic: You Are Special

You Are Special
You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks)
Written By: Max Lucado and
Illustrated By: Sergio Martinez

Appropriate for ages Toddler-12 years old
(I have seen this book in board book form)

I can remember reading this timeless book to my brother growing up. It is the simple yet comforting story that I loved even when I was a "Big Sister" reading it to my brother who was seven years younger.

The "Wemmicks" in the story are busy judging others by their grand or not so grand characteristics. Some were pretty, could sing well, or jump high. They recieved golden stars from the other "Wemmicks". Others were clumsy, stumbled over thier words, or had chipped paint. These "Wemmicks" were given gray dots. Punchinello recieved lots of gray dots and did not feel special. After meeting Lucia an unusual Wemmick Punchinello goes to visit Eli, the woodcarver. Eli explains, " Who are they to give stars or dots? They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Puchinello. All that mattters is what I think." Punchinello is suprised by this response and the thought that he is special and valued by Eli. The woodcarver reiterates this later saying, "you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes.". As Punchinello leaves the workshop a gray dot falls off.

The message of unconditional love is something that I often forget as an adult. We must remember and teach our children that the judgements of this world mean nothing in the light of eternity. When we are fixing our eyes on our Creator and the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross we are able to see how truely special we are to him. Why else would God give up his Son? In turn we must give up our lives to serve Him despite what the world thinks. Many children/adults feel the way Punchinello did, I'm special if.....I have the best clothes or job or, if I am talented at school or athletics. God tells us that we are special in his eyes, period. We do not have to qualify or impress him in order to be loved by him.
He loves us unconditionally.
 I hope you are able to treasure this truth today and teach your children just how precious they are in His sight!

Getting Started

As a child I was a lover of literature. My family surrounded me with quality literature and made reading an enjoyable experience. When I started my studies as a elementary education major I began to see what a blessing it had been to have such a "Reading Rich" family. I was suprised at all the contrived, poorly crafted, and boring literature that was being offered to kids. It was then that I became such a children's literature finatic. I was loved looking though book orders for books that would not only interest kids but would also enrich thier lives. My 5th grade classroom was full of well written fiction, non-fiction, poetry, magazines, picture books, and  more. These books were wonderful for teaching reading skills and content information but they did not teach the most important thing, the gospel of salvation.

It was after the birth of my daughter in September of 2010 that I began looking for ways that I would be able to teach the truth of the gospel through children's literature founded on Biblical truths. My search led me to many resources that I felt were just not adequite. In my opinion many lacked in everything from quality illustrations to repetative and insignificant texts. The most disappointing of all was a lack of foundational Biblical truth for young children. While much of my searching was disapointing I found some treasures along the way and would like to share them here with you.

As my daughter grows I am "learning to treasure" my time with her more and more each day! I am also "learning to treasure" the sweet relationship I have with the creator of the universe, my Lord, Jesus Christ.