Max was interested in helping children understand their value - not from the world's perspective, but from God's. Wemmicksville is a land create... read full description
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Aug 08, 2010
Courtney
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One of my high school teachers gave this to me when she was leaving to go to another high school. I was the girl who always was quiet so I had a teacher or two tell me that I wasn't going to get very far. But there were a few in the 11th and 12th grade who convinced me that I was more than my shyness. This book reminds me of that time and how far I've gotten since then from only saying 1 word a year to not being afraid of strangers. It always convinces me again that I am special. And on a plus n
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Oct 31, 2011
Jo Princess
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The first time I read this book I cried. I was 26 years old and found this children's book on the shelf at my friend's house. I opened it and read it and found myself within the pages of the book.
You Are Special is the story of wooden people called the Wemmicks. Everyday the Wemmicks would give shiny stars to the Wemmicks that did amazing things and gave black dots to Wemimicks that did things wrong.
One particular Wemmick, Punchinello kept getting dots put on him, as he was a More...
You Are Special is the story of wooden people called the Wemmicks. Everyday the Wemmicks would give shiny stars to the Wemmicks that did amazing things and gave black dots to Wemimicks that did things wrong.
One particular Wemmick, Punchinello kept getting dots put on him, as he was a More...
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May 01, 2010
Sarah
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Sep 02, 2011
Nora
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Written by Max Lucado and illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Published by Candle Books, copyright 2004.
Grade level: 2nd and up
In the town of the wooden people called "Wemmicks," the wooden people give one another praise in the form of gold stars, or they give insults in the form of grey dots. Poor little Punchinello can't get a star no matter how hard he tries, so he goes to meet his maker. It is only then that he learns that he is special to his maker, no matter what others More...
Grade level: 2nd and up
In the town of the wooden people called "Wemmicks," the wooden people give one another praise in the form of gold stars, or they give insults in the form of grey dots. Poor little Punchinello can't get a star no matter how hard he tries, so he goes to meet his maker. It is only then that he learns that he is special to his maker, no matter what others More...
Jan 26, 2012
Ali
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You are special tells the story of Eli, the woodcarver, and the society of wooden people he creates called, Wemmicks. Wemmicks spend their days placing stickers on one another as a way of expressing their feelings: those who were appreciated received yellow "stars", those who were not would get gray "dots". There was only one Wemmick who never got any stars. His name was Punchinello. He was sad that no one gave him stars and he thought that, because of his gray dots, he was worthless. Until, one
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Feb 22, 2011
Alexa
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The perfect book to read to a student who feels as though they are not good enough to fit in or are different from those around them. The moral of this story is that you don't have to be like everyone else. Each person has their own way of being special and the opinions of others do not define you. I am in love with this book. I feel like many children feel unwanted and they desire for someone to tell them they are cared about and are special. In our cruel world, it is too often that people are
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Dec 04, 2008
Scott
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This is on the coffee table in my therapy office. In my work with children, I frequently have parents read to their children books that will enhance self-esteem. This is one that does it through a spiritual message, emphasizing that we are special because of how our Maker sees us, rather than because of self-generated esteem or the esteem of others. In fact, it suggests that greater self-esteem comes when we let neither the criticisms nor the compliments of others stick, and instead look to our
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May 26, 2007
Alexis
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This book still makes me cry, even though I have read it a million times. Whenever I feel alone or distant from God or unworthy to be called his child, this is the book I turn to. I don't know how many copies of this book I have given away as presents, none to children.
Apr 07, 2010
Candace
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Another book my mom gave me when I was having one of 'those' days. I never felt special growing up, much like Punchinello. I probably would have had lots of gray dots and no gold stars either! While the book was written for children to understand that God loves them no matter what, I was given the book when I was probably about 15 or 16. The message was still loud and clear - but I didn't see Eli as God... to me, he was my parents.
This is another one of those books that I still More...
This is another one of those books that I still More...
Dec 29, 2011
Susie
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I like to read books to my children that will enhance their self-esteem. This is one that does it through a spiritual message, emphasizing that we are special because of how our Maker sees us, rather than because of self-generated esteem or the esteem of others. In fact, it suggests that greater self-esteem comes when we let neither the criticisms nor the compliments of others stick, and instead look to our creator for our perspective on our worth. In my personal philosophy, I deemphasize the no
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Jun 15, 2009
Julie
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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 th
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Oct 18, 2011
Alissa
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Punchinello lives in a village of Wemmicks or wooden people. They go around putting dots or stars on each other depending on if they have done bad things or good things. Punchinello meets Lucia who has no stars or dots on her and wants to find out how he can be like her. The story teaches the importance of not letting what other people think of you get you down or determine who you will ultimately become. It is also a wonderful parable of life that we should care more about what God thinks of us
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May 21, 2008
Jodi
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Great book, good message, wonderful illustrations.
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Feb 04, 2012
Elise
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This is THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!! It does not matter how old you are this book speaks to all ages!
Whether you are 6 and get picked on for not having a cool toy
or in high school and really insecure about yourself and how you look and compare yourself to other people this book it for you! A book for all ages! It might be a kids book but it can speak to all of us. I remember as a kid when my mom read this book to me. Such a touching story!
Do not compare your self to anyone! Be like More...
Whether you are 6 and get picked on for not having a cool toy
or in high school and really insecure about yourself and how you look and compare yourself to other people this book it for you! A book for all ages! It might be a kids book but it can speak to all of us. I remember as a kid when my mom read this book to me. Such a touching story!
Do not compare your self to anyone! Be like More...
Feb 05, 2010
Sandy
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This is a great book for any age. I first read it as a teenager, and felt it was so applicable then. In this story, the characters use dots to mark people they don't like, and those with many dots feel like they are defined by their dots. Eventually, their maker shows them how to make the dots fall off, so they don't stick, by not caring what the others think. No matter your age, I think we all need a reminder that we shouldn't let others define how we feel about ourselves, because ultimately wh
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Jun 24, 2011
Cindi
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Do the cares of this world and what others think of you make you feel like just a nameless face in the crowd? You Are Special by Max Lucado may be a children's book, but adults can learn valuable lessons from it as well.
Continue reading on Examiner.com You Are Special by Max Lucado; book review 9 of 365 Best Children's Books Ever - San Francisco fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/fiction-in-san-f... More...
Feb 08, 2012
Sarah
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I read this book a lot when i was little. My husband has never read it. I have always loved it, but now even more. We lost our first two babies to miscarriage and are now pregnant with our third. I borrowed this book from the library and we read it to this little one one night before bed. My husband immediately wanted to go out and buy it. It is an awesome book with a message that we had always wanted our kids to hear, especially after what we have been through. That they are SPECIAL. each and e
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Dec 27, 2010
Kacey
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My husband bought me this book for Christmas. I can't wait to read it to my kids one day. It is about a village of wooden people called Wemmicks, all created by one woodworker named Eli. The Wemmicks spend their days giving out stickers--gold stars for beautiful paint and special talents, gray dots for chipped paint and mistakes. The story is about how one Wemmick learns that stickers and judgments made by others aren't what makes you special. It's a children's book...but it's really for ever
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Apr 26, 2011
Ashley
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One of my favorite books by far. I love the message of individual importance no matter what you or others think is wrong with you. Whether you are smart, beautiful, talented, or have made mistakes you are just special as any other person and you are the one who makes the decision of whether or not other people's prejudices will affect you. I really like how this important of a message can be conveyed in such a simple way. The illistrations are also quite beautiful.
Dec 26, 2011
Christina
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This book has a message for every child and most adults. My five year old had a bad day at school recently, and we started talking about grey dots, and how to get rid of them. She's five, and totally understood. I love this book. It has a very Christian message, but I almost wish it weren't by a Christian author, so that every child would see it, Christian or not. They all need to understand about self-esteem and how others' opinions can harm it.
Jun 15, 2009
Alyssa
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this is a very cute story about people, well sort of. i'm not sure what they are but they sort of compare people to others. they mark the good with stars and the bad with, dots. this poor individual is covered with spots. i can't remember how but he meets a carver i think and does something extraordinary and earns a star. it's a really cute story about, "don't judge a book by it's cover," and "we all make mistakes." i loved this book and you will too.
Sep 17, 2010
Brittany
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This book is a great book about puppets and its about a boy puppet who always gets judged for not being good enough which earn him dots instead of stars. When he told his maker the maker told him that the dots wouldn’t stick if you didn’t believe what anyone was saying is true. This book is a great book to build a child’s self esteem and teach them that they are special. I would love to have this book in my classroom library.
Mar 27, 2010
Anthony
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I Love this book to no extent. I first watched the movie when i was young in my aunt's coffee shop. I loved it so much and then 10 years later i found the book at my old church's bookstore. I was so happy to find. I read it there and took it home. It's a very heart-warming short story that shows you it doesnt matter what other people think of you, you have to believe in yourself. I give this a 10 out of 10.
Mar 14, 2010
Elizabeth
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I stumbled across this book at our library one day and picked it up, hoping it would be a good read for my 3 year old. As I read, though, I realized that it was not only a good read for my preschooler, but a good read for myself as well! It is well written, and holds the reader's attention, giving room for contemplation and further discussion with your kids. This is one of the best kids' books I've read in a while!!
Dec 11, 2007
Deidra
rated it:
Written by Max Lucado and illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Published by Candle Books, copyright 2004.
Grade level: 2nd and up
In the town of the wooden people called "Wemmicks," the wooden people give one another praise in the form of gold stars, or they give insults in the form of grey dots. Poor little Punchinello can't get a star no matter how hard he tries, so he goes to meet his maker. It is only then that he learns that he is special to his maker, no matt More...
Grade level: 2nd and up
In the town of the wooden people called "Wemmicks," the wooden people give one another praise in the form of gold stars, or they give insults in the form of grey dots. Poor little Punchinello can't get a star no matter how hard he tries, so he goes to meet his maker. It is only then that he learns that he is special to his maker, no matt More...
Feb 06, 2011
A.S. Halsey
rated it:
REVIEW COMPLETE
"Remember, you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."
The ultimate book for the ultimate religious family. Truly you don't even have to be Christian - simply believing in a God or some sort of higher being qualifies you for truly enjoying the deeper meaning of this wonderful story. Probably my favorite book, brings tears to my eyes. The truly heartwarming and inspiring tale of how a young Wemmick discovers that, no matter what More...
"Remember, you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."
The ultimate book for the ultimate religious family. Truly you don't even have to be Christian - simply believing in a God or some sort of higher being qualifies you for truly enjoying the deeper meaning of this wonderful story. Probably my favorite book, brings tears to my eyes. The truly heartwarming and inspiring tale of how a young Wemmick discovers that, no matter what More...
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Jun 04, 2009
Jennie
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This is my favorite children's book. I have it in hard bound, paperback, and as a board book. I was first introduced to it by my Aunt Kris and Uncle Dave who gave my parents a copy of it. I love the pictures and James loves to point out the stars and dots on the wemmicks. Max Lucado's other books are okay too, but the ones with a different illustrator are not as good in my opinion.
Dec 01, 2008
Trisha
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My childen were given this book as a gift and we enjoy reading it over and over. My older children (9 and 7) have had it read to them quite a bit; I love that they discuss it with me and talk about how the wood carver is like Heavenly Father and the Wemmicks are all of us and that the wood carver is trying to teach us how to treat others and how to think of ourselves.
Aug 06, 2011
Graci
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Although this is a book by Max Lucado teaching of God's love and God's acceptance, I have used this every year to develop a sense of family and caring for one another in my classroom. I read it to the kids at the beginning of the year and then we do it again after Christmas break as a reminder. I think this book has an exceptional message whether you are a believer or not.
Aug 03, 2011
Wendy
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I read this first at age 12. I was supposed to read it to my little sister but she wasn't interested at all. But I read it alone then. This book is one of the most amazing childrens books I have ever read. It encourages people and sends a big, very big and important message. This isn't a kid book. Everyone should read it. It inspires and is just... just magically amazing.
