Rating: 
Summary: Potentially Dangerous
Review: Compare this excerpt from Jonathan Edwards famous and biblical message 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' to the feel good 'Eli' God of Max Lucado who thinks you and I are just wonderful the way we are.
"And you, children, who are unconverted, do not you know that you are going down to hell, to bear the dreadful wrath of that God, who is now angry with you every day and every night? Will you be content to be the children of the devil, when so many other children in the land are converted, and are become the holy and happy children of the King of kings?"
With Max's kind of God (Eli) there is no gospel needed. There is no cross of Jesus Christ needed. God accepts you and thinks you are special just as you are. Is that from the Bible?? Max could have simply added a couple sentences from Eli at the end, something like "Punchinello, I love you, but you have disobeyed my commands - you have sinned - and I am not happy with that. But I love you and have provided a way for you to be forgiven and reconciled to me, through my son. Come back again and I will tell you more about Him." Left as it is, the message of this book is antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ - what the Bible calls 'of first importance'. The message of the whole Bible! How do you tell a child for years 'You are special just as you are, God loves you, and thinks you are wonderful b/c He made you'. Then must you say at some point 'actually that wasn't true, we were telling you that to make you feel good, to not hurt your 'self esteem', the Bible actually says you are an enemy of God because of who you are, a sinner and rebel against him, and his righteous holy judgment is awaiting you unless you repent and ask for mercy through Jesus Christ'? I can't believe more people don't see the danger of this message that is becoming more and more pervasive in the church - God accepts you just as you are, you simply need to believe that and you'll feel better. It's a God who is not holy, a God who can wink at sin. The cross becomes, I don't know what - only an example for us? There is no atonement and propitiation, there is no sacrifice for sin needed. Parents, think long of what you believe about the gospel and your responsibility before God before you teach your kids this message.
Rating: 
Summary: Punchinello Through A Child's Eyes
Review: I am not a reader by nature but when I heard this story read, I ran to the nearest book store to purchase it. More than what I cared to pay for a book, I purchased it anyway and I found it to be a wonderful addition to our home. The illustrations are beautiful and follow the story so well that my 3-year-old can tell me the story by looking at the pictures. Her most favorite part is when Punchinello visits the Woodcarver. Each and every time we read it, my heart is humbled and I am reminded to be a nicer person and not to judge others. It is a beautiful story about our Maker and the love he has for all of his children. Read this and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A Chair For My Mother
Review: I am writing this review in response to another review that stated that this was a book that made Christ's death on the cross a non-essential. I have always looked at this as a book to believers, a book that encourages young believers not to allow the world to taint them, but to continually go back to their Creator and Savior for their identity. I don't think that this book was meant for non-believers to develop a veiw of God, but for believers, young and old to be encouraged that the world does not determine our identity, God our Father does. If you read some of Max Lucado's other childrens book this underlying theme of God's children knowing and understanding who they are is evident. This is a wonderful book, something I think everychild should have!
Rating:
Summary: Everybody needs to read this wonderful book.
Review: I feel so lucky that I had the chance to read this book. I don't have kids and seldom think of looking at children's books. But a mom friend showed it to me and we both cried as we read it together. It's a book for children of all ages. The text and illustrations just shine with love, and everybody needs to hear the messages of self-acceptance and self-esteem in this book. I'm buying copies of it for Xmas gifts for my favorite aunt, my favorite child friend, and my therapist.
Rating:
Summary: Because of His Great Love...
Review: I had to write in response to a previous reviewer.
There is nothing in this book antithetical to the gospel. Quite the contrary, this book fits squarely in the context of the classic gospel text Ephesians 2, where it says "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us....". It is because God created us, and He loves His children, that He came down from heaven and died for us. This book also fits squarely with the classic evangelistic tool The 4 Spiritual Laws, from Dr. Bill Bright, namely that "God loves you and has a plan for your life". It is a perfect precursor to the gospel message. In Ephesians 2 Paul goes on to say (just like Punchinello learns) we cannot work our way to God...it is by His grace and favor. The spiritual laws go on to point out we all have a problem with our sin, the things we do wrong...all children should be able to grasp this, the book doesn't detract from that fact. If you know the gospel and it's power to speak into all kinds of backgrounds and viewpoints, there should be no problem with transitioning from Punchinello's need, to Christ's (Eli's) ability to meet that need IN THE CROSS.
I will go on to say this is one of my and my kids favorite books. It speaks to us all of the love of our Creator God and how all those who seek Him will find Him.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy-handed
Review: I'm obviously in the minority here, but I think children are smart enough to know when they're being preached to. I received this book for my daughter's baptism, read it once, and put it back on the shelf. As another reviewer said, it's like the author picked out a moral/message and then wrapped a flimsy story around it. It also sounded like a Christian knock-off of Dr. Suess. There are great stories out there that also have a message, but they're well-written enough to disguise the preachiness. Skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book, even if you don't have small children!
Review: I'm of the firm belief that a good story is a good story, no matter how old you are! This beautiful picture book is Max Lucado at his best - he tells the story with a perfect economy of words and the illustrations are perfect.The main character, Punchinello, lives in a world where the wooden people wear "stickers" which are Stars or Grey Dots, depending on what others think of you! Poor Punchinello tries hard to gain others' approval, but keeps missing out and keeps getting grey dots, which means that he is definitely looked down upon in this make-believe society of wooden people. Finally, our friend meets a wooden girl who has no stickers! When people try to put stars on her, they don't stick! And the grey dots don't stick either! She explains to our main character that this is because she goes to visit Eli, the master woodcarver, who made them all. She doesn't card about the opinions of others. She suggests that Punchinello go visit Eli as well. When Punchinello goes to visit Eli, he learns an important lesson about the specialness of each created person just because you belong to God! The scenes in Eli's workshop are especially touching. My 17-year-old just read this book and LOVED it. We also watched the video and didn't think it was as good as the book. Please check out my other reviews of Christian books and music!
Rating:
Summary: There's no disguising that this is just GOOD!
Review: Some people really miss the point. Max is not trying to disguise anything. This is a Christian story. It is about God (dare I say it). The author is a minister. Some stories just shouldn't be disguised. This is an absolutely wonderful story to share with all children. I like most of Max's books but these new ones have even better illustration, which keeps the children's interest even more. Many of the books sound the same but they are a welcome change to regular mix of childrens' stories.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful children's book
Review: This book is so touching. It was just the message my seven-year-old son needed to hear, growing up in the midst of a world that so often judges by appearance and popular opinion, rather than by a person's heart and faith. I highly recommend it for children and adults alike.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Will Make Your Heart Smile.
Review: This book shows how true freedom for us comes by not being enslaved to the opinions of others. Max Lucado tells the story to communicate to children (and most DEFINITELY to adults as well) that by taking time to experience and remember God's love for us, we can have a deep joy that isn't contingent upon whether people bestow praise (represented by gold stars) or insults (grey dots) upon us. This is a book that I think everyone should read every morning before we start our day, because this simple story illustrates a truth that is essential to our peace, yet so hard for us to keep ahold of. Thank you Max, for reminding us of our infinite and unchanging worth.
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