Just the Way You Are

Rating:
Summary: Lacking cultural diversity
Review: Although other reviews praised this book, I found it to be lacking in stimulating the senses of African American children and other cultures although the concept was great. As I began reading this book to my African American grandchildren, I didn't get past the 5th page before they were bored. They were not able to identify with any of the children displayed in this book, not even the children that were too busy to meet the king. I believe when we send an important message to our children through writing, that every child should be able to identify with that message. I am very sorry that I purchased this book for ($$) and if it is returnable, I will be sending it back. I definitely do not recommend this book for families looking to teach their children life's messages through cultural diversity.

Rating:
Summary: Content matters more than style.
Review: I gave this book 4 stars because I haven't read it
yet, and I didn't want to skew the average, one way
or the other. Basically, I just wanted to post a
rebuttal to what another reviewer wrote.

To the charge made by another reviewer, that the
illustrations are Euro-centric, and children of
colour might find them dull and boring:

Regardless of their ethnicity, children MAY find the
illustrations dull and boring....But, content matters
more than style. The moral of the story is what one
hopes they will remember.

As a person of colour myself, I would feel more
comfortable giving my kids a Christian book, than
I would say, a "Little Bill" book.

Would you take poison if it came in candy wrapper?

Not to belittle "Little Bill," but Christian books
like these are all too rare, to worry about issues
of "cultural diversity" in illustrations.

That said,...Max Lucado, if you ever get a chance to
read this, you may wish to consider teaming up with
the following artists:

Mark Salisbury - A Trip to the Hospital

Andy Mastrocinque - A Visit to the Dentist

Jennifer Oxley - We're Going to the Zoo!

Rating:
Summary: Culturally Diverse or Not, a Wonderful Book
Review: I had to respond after reading the post of another user. If they had read any of Max Lucado's books on the Wemmicks (you are special, you are mine and just the way you are) she would know that Max Lucado and the people working for Mr. Lucado do take cultural diversity under consideration.

This book is a phenomenal tale of the Love our King is waiting for us to show him. We do not have to be busy about all kinds of tasks to please him, but just give Him our heart! Yes perhaps there was not the proper percentage of races represented in this book, but the theme of the story is much more important than the illustrations.

Fantastic book, pictures or not. Read it to your children, and show them how much the King of the universe loves them as well.