I received a copy of “Uniquely You” in exchange for my honest review, which I’m sharing below but the short version is that I enjoy and recommend this book!
Title: Uniquely You
Author: Michelle S. Lazurek
Illustrator: Alison Wright
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing Inc; First edition (Released February 3, 2018)
Book Summary (from Amazon): Plain Jane lives in a plain white house in a plain neighborhood. She believes she is ordinary and has nothing to offer others. That is until she notices the snowflakes coming down outside. When she realizes each one is unique and that no two snowflakes are alike, she learns an important lesson: God has created her with gifts and talents that only she can do. In fact, God has created all of us with gifts and talents that only we can do. That’s what makes you uniquely you!
Review:
Uniquely You addresses the issues of comparison and self-worth, something we all deal with no matter what age we are. Jane, the main character, sees how gifted and talented her friends and classmates are, and feels the sting of “not good enough.” What the author, Michelle, does that I love is bring up the different gifts God gives us that may be harder to distinguish, like the gift of wisdom or the gift of hospitality. She creatively weaves in the spiritual gifts God gives us as written in the Bible in a way that doesn’t preach to readers, but encourages them to determine what they’re good at that they may have overlooked or have never even considered as gifts. Also, through the fun analogy of the snowflake, Michelle brings home the lesson that each one of us is uniquely created by God.
It is for these reasons that I recommend this book as an addition to your ministry, whether in a resource library, or to hand out to your families inside event goodies or as prizes, or to simply recommend to parents or guardians. Uniquely You is a great tool to teach your children about spiritual gifts from God, and to encourage them to use their gifts and talents to honor God and help others.
Uniquely You is also beautifully illustrated, and one of my favorite illustrations is in the beginning with Jane in music class and a dejected triangle on her desk while her classmates play “better” instruments. This is me in kindergarten, stuck with the triangle while other girls were given the xylophone. Plus, I had only 3 parts. I felt the sting of “not good enough.” Finding my worth in God and loving the unique me He created are things I had to learn, sometimes still continue to learn. There’s actually a triangle hanging on my wall. It’s my favorite instrument because in its simple ting!, I remember to fight for who God says I am.
May this book help your young readers (or you!) to look through the eyes of God. Fight for who He says you are: unique and gifted.
If you’d like to purchase Uniquely You, would you consider buying it through this Smile Amazon affiliate link? It would give me a small commission without further cost to you. Thanks! http://amzn.to/2Eyava2
Here’s a FREE print for you! Put it on your wall or hand it out to your kids or kids in your ministry to remind them of God’s love and care in making them just the way they are.
