Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift

Wemmicksville #5

by Max Lucado, Sergio Martínez (Illustrator)

With the Maker-Day Festival fast approaching, Punchinello wants to do something really big for Eli, the woodcarver. But everyone else he meets in Wemmicksville is also trying to make the best contribution to the festival.

Hans believes that his seven-layer chocolate cherry truffle cake with double butter-cream frosting will be the best part, but Violet is sure her bountiful bouquet will come out on top. Lucia knows her vocal solo will make the day, and Dr. Marvel is eager to show off his magnificent Marvellaphony-organoni. What can Punchinello do?

When all of Wemmicksville gathers for the unveiling of the cake and the bouquet and Lucia's solo, Punchinello accidentally destroys the cake, the bouquet, and the Marvellaphony-organoni! What could have been a disaster results in the marvelous gift, and the people of Wemmicksville realize that Maker-Day is not about a cake or a bouquet-it's all about Eli.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Religion, Fiction, Christmas, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[Payam Ebrahimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

مثل‌ باقی جلدهای مجموعه مجمع‌الجزایر ایرادهای ادبی بود.

[Bistra Ivanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Сладка детска история за силата да си помагаме по начина, по който можем, т.е. да използваме силните си страни. Книжката в никакъв случай не е запомняща се, но не е и лоша. Илюстрациите са симпатични и има хубава поука за най-малките. По възпитателна линия попаднах на нея.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 3 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: شگفت‌انگیزترین هدیه

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is sort of like the Christmas special of a TV series.
Everyone wants to make the best gift, but it seems to be arguing what is the simple and just about the creator is what is the best.
Anyway the same issues as previous books, a nice little story, but missing 'vital punch' to help the reader, especially if younger, understand the truth of their relationship with the creator and how they would be able to have a true one.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the Maker-Day Festival approaches, several of the Wemmickville wemmicks try to one up each other to present their maker, Eli the woodcarver, with the most memorable gift. Punchinello can't decide what to give Eli. The day of the festival brings about a mishap that brings the day into perspective.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story of Maker's Day in Wemmicksville. The town members work to make the "best part" of the celebration in over the top ways. Punchinello saves the day and reminds everyone of the reason for the day.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavy-handed.

[Novi Kwok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much... I read this many times...

We are so special!!! Praise the Lord.

[Paul Griesbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about building self-confidence and proper perspective.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was really cheesy. It was based on Christmas but had a weird twist. When everything fell apart and then magically worked out. It could have been better.

[Sharon Dorival · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 "A heartwarming tale 🎁 where wonder meets wisdom ✨. Max Lucado's words + Sergio Martínez's art = magic 🎨." 😊-Sharon Dorival

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful story written to share God's love and acceptance of each child, just as He has created us to be

[Mark Jepson · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Punchinello and The Most Marvellous Gift’ is a useful book for children to read in school when introducing rhyme or speech marks in Literacy lessons as both are used frequently throughout the story. There is quite a lot of text compared to Max Lucado’s other books from the series so I would say it is suitable for children who are 5 years old and above.

The story itself focuses on a town event around Christmas time called ‘Maker-Day.’ In the build up to Maker-Day, residents create a number of different things in the hope of being crowned best maker. Each entrant wants their creation to make Maker-Day the best ever!

Each entrant focuses solely on their own creation as they want to please Eli who is the competition judge. As a result, entrants show hostility to their competitors which makes the town a sad and lonely place to live. Just before Maker-Day, one participant’s musical instrument breaks which leaves her unable to compete. Punchinello, another town resident, urges all of the town’s inhabitants to work together to create a song and enter the competition. Punchinello loves creating catchy songs that rhyme so they all decide to sing Punchinello’s latest song. Eli was so impressed with their effort that the winners of Maker-Day were the whole town for their song.

Personally, I didn’t find The Most Marvellous Gift quite as good as Max Lucado’s previous books from this series, You Are Special and Best of All, although the images produced by illustrator Sergio Martinez are still excellent. The story still holds an important message for children to consider as it emphasises the importance of teamwork and friendship and the role they play in creating a happy working and living environment.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift” it’s Maker-Day and Punchinello wanted to give his maker, Eli, a special gift at the Maker-Day Festival. But what can he give?

I love how the Wemmicks are excited for the celebration and want to do something special, like make cakes, decorate with flower bouquets and play music. The Wemmicks compete for the best gift and pandemonium soon breaks out. By accident, they discover the most marvelous gift for Eli their maker.

Children can relate to Punchinello when he feels others might be better or more gifted or competitive than he is. That’s why this story is so rewarding. Punchinello helps the Wemmicks discover what really matters on such a special day.

First Line: Punchinello’s feet dangled from Eli’s workbench.
Series: Wemmicks, book 5
Genre: Children
Author: Max Lucado
Page Count: 32
Reading Age: 4-8

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. It was all right. No where near to the two that I love. I am more attached to the first two I ever read because they were still fairly new, I liked the topics they addressed, I enjoyed the pictures, and I felt closely connected because of a final paper I wrote in college related to them. This one would not have been quite "up to standard" for me to choose to write a paper on. Lots more text. The drawing of the characters seems to be changing. The message in the book is still there, but I started getting bored trying to "get" it.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading this each Christmas to my Real Men Read 2nd graders. The RMR program usually does not schedule a December reading and the teachers welcome having a 'special' event for the kids to look forward to the week before Christmas. It gives me a chance to talk about the upcoming Christmas season and the importance of remembering that Christmas is about more than giving or receiving gifts.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story featuring the Wemmicks.

This was a nice story, not quite up to par with what I have come to expect from Max Lucado, but it was still a pretty good book.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very wordy and long. The theme of the book is that there is festival day called Maker Day. The puppets are preparing to celebrate this day with all the puppets who the maker created. The makers name is Eli referencing The Maker is God.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite book. I think it was sweet, but the original was much better. I think that it would be a fun addition for kids, but personally I wasn't too into it. It has a great message though!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing gift!!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great kids book!!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A timely reminder to keep Christmas simple and personal.

[Lydia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We produced a musical out of this book

[Gabrielle Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really good book and I like punch.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminds me of his other book for older kids..."Just the Way You Are."

[Diane Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book is a must read for every church member.
Everyone wants to be the best in praising god....
Just read this book!!

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's just because I didn't experience this one as a child, but it just doesn't seem to have the same gentleness and sincerity of the earlier books.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

I LOVE and recommend "You Are Special". This book... eh.

[Marije · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Ik houd van u.
Ik wil dat ieder ziet:
Zonder u, Eli,
bestond ik niet.'

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, great Christmas theme, not one of his best.