Sergio Martinez – illustratör

Bess Stovall is famous for being famous. "When it comes to Wemmicks, she's the best," they say. Who wouldn't want to join her Wonderful Wemmicks Club? The catch is this: only Wemmicks made of maple can join–the best wood from the best forest.But Punchinello can't join since he is made of willow. "Willow is weak wood," says Bess. "No one wants to be a willow." And Punchinello is the only willow in Wemmicksville. Everyone looks down on him, even his friend Lucia.Punchinello learns a valuable lesson when Eli the woodcarver helps him see that he is special because the Maker made him–the Maker even chose his wood. This latest tale from Wemmicksville will surprise you as Punchinello himself shocks the town with how special he really is.

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.

In the town of Wemmickville there lives a Wemmick named Punchinello. Each day the residents award stickers—gold stars for the talented, smart, and attractive Wemmicks, and gray dots for those who make mistakes or are just plain ordinary. Punchinello, covered in gray dots, begins to feel worthless. Then one day he visits Eli the woodcarver, his creator, and he learns that his worth comes from a different source.   Max Lucado’s beautiful story reminds us that we are special to God just the way we are. Parents and children alike will enjoy this touching portrayal of an eternal truth. This bestseller has sold millions of copies and is now available as a special paperback gift edition and includes captivating illustrations by Sergio Martinez. Millions of copies soldBeautiful illustrations by Sergio MartinezBestselling author Max LucadoOriginally appeared in the award-winning children's best seller Tell Me the Secrets

You Are Special tells the story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick. The inhabitants of Wemmicksville spend their days placing stickers on each other. Golden star stickers are put on the talented, smart, and attractive Wemmicks. Gray dot stickers are for those who make mistakes and don’t stand out. Punchinello, despite his best efforts to get stars from the other Wemmicks, is covered in gray dots and begins to believe he’ll never be worth anything. Then one day he visits Eli the woodcarver, his creator, and everything changes.Max Lucado’s beautiful story reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. Parents and children alike will enjoy this touching portrayal of an eternal truth. This bestseller has sold millions of copies and is now available as a special paperback gift edition and includes captivating illustrations by Sergio Martinez.

One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is the assurance that mom and dad love them just as they are, apart from anything that they do. But telling them once won't make it sink in. Kids need to be reminded of that foundational fact over and over, until the truth takes root deep within their hearts.In the same way, children need to hear again and again that their heavenly Father loves them and wants to spend time with them—even if they're not wonderfully talented, extremely smart, or exceptionally popular.That message of God's unconditional acceptance and deep desire to enjoy a friendship with his children is at the heart of this book.Originally published by Crossway in 1994, The Children of the King has now been redesigned to enchant a whole new generation of children. Combining the warm narrative of best-selling author Max Lucado and the engaging illustrations of award-winning artist Sergio Martinez, The Children of the King will give parents and grandparents fresh opportunities to remind children of God’s never-changing affection for them.That truth—the assurance of God's delight in them—is a blessing that has eternal impact for all children of the King everywhere. This classic children’s book has been redesigned with a fresh lookIllustrations by an award-winning artistEasy-to-understand language allows children of all ages to listen and follow along

In You Are Special, Max Lucado tells the story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick who believes that he isn't good enough because of what others say about him. When will Punchinello realize how truly special he is?You Are Special is a beautiful story that reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. It is through spending daily time with him that we begin to see ourselves through his eyes. This is an important truth that children and parents need to know: God loves us even though we make mistakes and have flaws!This bestseller has sold millions of copies and is now available as a condensed board book for younger children.

Bigger allowances. Better clothes. More toys.Bigger, better, more is how the world determines who's special and who's not. It's a message your kids are hearing every day. But it's not God's message.His truth is simple and never-changing: It's not what you have, it's Whose you are. And it's a truth that the lovable Wemmick, Punchinello, hears again at the knee of his creator in this faithful, fully illustrated sequel to You Are Special.Punchinello's lesson in love will help you speak God's heart to the heart of every child: You are special, not because of the things you have, but because you are Mine.

A green nose. How silly, thought Punchinello. It wouldn't make him faster, stronger, or even smarter. It would only make him greener—and make him look just like all the other Wemmicks! Why would he want that when he knows Eli made each of them different for a reason?But when Punchinello stops visiting Eli regularly, a painted nose somehow doesn't seem as foolish anymore. Now more than ever, Punchinello needs to hear his maker say, "I'll always help you be who I made you to be."Just like Punchinello, we all want to fit in. To be accepted by the crowd. But at times that may mean we either have to look and act like others—or risk being rejected.Punchinello's hard-earned lesson shows us how important it is to be who we were created to be, and why that matters. So let this wonderful tale help you remember two things: that you were made unique for a reason, and that there is one who will always help you be you—wonderfully you.

Finally, the citizens of Wemmicksville are saying that Punchinello is a good Wemmick! He's always wanted to hear that. But in his effort to please the crowd, Punchinello forgets what his maker Eli has taught him. So when others start collecting boxes and balls, Punchinello decides he wants to have some too. They make him feel so good–until he remembers how his arms ache from holding them all. Until he remembers how tired he is from working just to buy more. Until he stumbles into Eli's workshop and is reminded of how very much he's given up to have those boxes and balls.Once again at the knee of his creator, Punchinello hears the words he needs the most: "You are special, not because of the things you have, but because you are mine." This best-selling sequel to You Are Special is now available in board book format, encouraging hearts of every age to learn of the love of their Heavenly Father.