Max Lucado's If Only I had a Green Nose
Written: Dec 27 '02 (Updated Feb 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful story and illustrations, wonderful message
Cons: Nothing
The Bottom Line: It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations and a beautiful message.
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| dramastef's Full Review: Max Lucado - If Only I Had a Green Nose: A Story A... |
Each year for Christmas, Santa Claus brings presents for our children and leaves them under the tree, much like many American homes. A couple years ago, my husband and I tried to figure a way of keeping our children’s interest in the reason we celebrate Christmas, but at a level a child could relate to. We decided to put up small trees in each of our children’s rooms, let them make the ornaments, and on Christmas morning, there is always one present that is closer to the real reason we celebrate Christmas than the Barbie Bank with me ATM that is under the family room tree.
This year, my daughter found a single hard cover book under her tree. In a sequel to his beautiful story, You are Special, Max Lucado continues the story of Punchinello, the outcast Wemmick, in this book, If Only I had a Green Nose. Imagine a three year old exclaiming “It’s Punchinello” as she sees the cover. Not an easy name for an adult, too cute when a child says it.
The Book itself:
Is about 12 inches by 12 inches hard cover. Each two page spread of the 35 page story has one and a quarter page illustration and a three quarter part that is the story.
The Illustrations:
by Sergio Martinez are beautifully done with soft lines and gentle colors. On some pages, you can almost see the original pencil lines before the illustrator added color and detail, and it adds a quaint charm to the drawings.
The Story:
Opens with Punchinello, the main character from You are Special, who learned in said book that it matters not at all what other people think of you, and we are all special in the eyes of our Creator, and his friend, Lucia looking out the window of Eli’s workshop, marveling over all the Wemmicks down below standing in line to have their noses painted green. Eli is the woodcarver who has created this village of Wemmicks, each one unique.
Punchinello and Lucia decide to go to the village to find out why everyone is standing in line at the nose painting shop. They’re greeted by Willy Withit who decides what is “with it” and what is out. No one can tell them exactly why he gets to pick, but that’s just the way it is.
The next day, the Mayor of Wemmicksville gives Willy Withit a medal for discovering the cure for the plain nose. He and all the Green-nosed Wemmicks are very thankful they don’t still look like… here they point and laugh at Punchinello and his two friends, Splint and Woody. The three head right down to the nose painting shop and have their noses painted green.
A few days later, they notice a Wemmick with a red nose. At first they laugh at this Wemmick, believing him to be out of style, until they notice that all the previously green-nosed Wemmicks are now Red-nosed. What to do, except have their green noses repainted into a brilliant shade of red? And then Blue, and then Yellow, and then Orange?
When Purple-nosed Wemmicks start emerging from the nose painting shop, the trio of wannabe withits start questioning their reason for following the crowds. It is then that Lucia appears, telling them that Eli has asked after them.
Is he mad? asks Punchinello.
No, just sad replies Lucia.
The three boys climb the hill to the woodcarver’s house and ask him to make them normal again, just how He made them. They endure the somewhat painful sandpaper scouring it takes to remove each layer of paint, but in the end, are grateful to be exactly who they are.
The Message:
Wemmicks, like many people, try so hard to fit in with everyone around them. Eli claims that he made them all different on purpose, some freckled, some short, some bright eyed, some dark, and is saddened by their attempts to change who they are.
Punchinello falls into this way of thinking and stops visiting Eli every day, but soon realizes that he is happiest when he accepts who he is and, though it is hard work, and sometimes painful, the rewards are worth it in the end.
The author…
You can read more about Max Lucado’s teaching ministry at www.maxlucado.com. He is the author of many religious books, some of which you can download at his website.
My final thoughts and recommendations:
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did You are Special. It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations and a beautiful message.
My final wish for you: May you always be happy with your normal, skin-colored nose, and never desire a trip to the nose painting shop!
~Stefanie
Recommended:
Yes
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