God Made Me Unique, a beautifully illustrated picture book, helps parents and caregivers teach children that God creates every person in the image of God and each individual has tremendous value, regardless of his or her appearance or abilities.
The story is set in a Sunday school classroom where a new girl, Brie, is introduced by her mom. Brie’s Sunday school teacher takes the time to welcome Brie and to explain to the other children why she is wearing headphones. Through getting to know Brie, the children are guided into a biblical understanding of the uniqueness of each of God’s children. Along the way they learn to ask questions and gain an understanding about their new friend.
Told in a charming rhyming style, this colorful, hardcover book will help eliminate fear and misconceptions about those who have special needs and emphasizes that every person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
The back of the book contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that will guide them in how to have biblical, loving conversations with children and gives them additional information and resources to equip them in talking about this important subject.
Like God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb and God Made Me AND You by Shai Linne, God Made Me Unique gives parents the tools to have important, impactful conversations with their children that will grow their understanding of God, themselves, and others.
AUTHOR
Joni and Friends is an organization that accelerates Christian outreach in the disability community. Founded in 1979, their mission is to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability. The organization authors numerous books including titles such as the Beyond Suffering Bible, Real Families, Real Needs, and a series of church resources entitled The Irresistible Church.
Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children, both budding artists too. Trish is the illustrator for the God Made Me series and The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible.
“What a delightful and desperately needed book to introduce our children to the wonder and richness of God’s kingdom in our midst! I know of no other book that teaches our children to follow through on Jesus’s commands from Luke 14 on including those affected by disability.”
Paul E. Miller, Director of SeeJesus; author of A Praying Life and J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life
“As a father of a child with a disability, I love the message of this book—both for kids with disabilities and their peers who welcome and embrace them. Of all the places where this message needs to be heard and taken to heart, there is none more important than the church itself.”
Rev. Steve Bundy, Sr. Vice President, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
“Today’s children are keenly aware of social diversity, yet they often miss the God-connection. In the colorful book God Made Me Unique by Joni and Friends, readers meet a delightful cast of characters and discover God’s loving design for all people, including those with disabilities and special needs. Parents and teachers will appreciate the skillful use of God’s Word woven into the story and teaching aids. I highly recommend God Made Me Unique for every home, church, and school library.”
Pat Verbal, Recipient of the Top 20 Influencers in Children’s Ministry awarded by Children’s Ministry Magazine; coauthor/editor of Real Families, Real Needs (Focus on the Family) and Special Needs Ministry for Children (Group Publishing)
“Absolutely charming! This is the happiest little book with the very biggest message . . . every life is precious!”
Emily Colson, Speaker and author of Dancing with Max
“This book is a gift to parents as they raise reflective and compassionate children. What a spectacular application of the doctrine of creation: the teaching that we are all made in the image of God! These teachings are significant for how we interact with people of all different types of abilities. This book highlights our value as God’s creatures and celebrates the different gifts God has given to each member of his family.”
Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb, Authors of God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies; Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault; and Is It My Fault? Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence
“In writing God Made Me Unique, Joni and Friends have created a helpful tool for parents to use to equip their children to welcome kids with disabilities. I would encourage all parents to add this book to their family library. With growing numbers of children living with special needs, it is essential that we teach our children to value every person as uniquely created by God to bring him glory.”
Marty Machowski, Family pastor and author of God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender; The Ology; Long Story Short, and other gospel-rich resources for church and home
“As a pastor, I appreciate this book because it will help us equip our church family to better serve each person the Lord brings to our services and associated ministries. As a parent of a child with special needs, I appreciate the spirit and biblical nature of the way this material is presented. We all have special needs and the gospel compels us to love and serve one another in ways that are thoughtful and wise. This book cam help us do that in a more Christ-like way.”
Steve Viars, Senior Pastor, Faith Church, Lafayette, IN; author of Your Special Needs Child
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Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb
Shai Linne
Marty Machowski
Joni and Friends
Marty Machowski
Jared Kennedy
Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb
Scott James
Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb
What a wonderful little read for your young one, they are usually accepting of children that are different, and this book helps to show, with beautiful illustrations, examples. Along with a story, and with Christian values, showing children to treat others with respect and kindness. I think that every parent should have this book to share with their little ones, if we start early to show differences, children are really accepting, and this is a great resource. I loved that there is a guidance for parents in the back called Four Ways to Help Your Child, a don’t miss area for guidance. I received this book through Read With Audra, and was not required to give a positive review.
I work at a school for special needs children and I was very excited to read this book. It's very important to teach children of all ages and backgrounds one important aspect, that we were all created uniquely by God and created in His image.
GOD MADE ME UNIQUE is a special book designed to teach children about special needs children. It covers a lot of different disabilities, with some short definitions and a guide to teach children more about the topic. As a parent with disabilities, I appreciate the message in the book and the gentle way its presented. This book would be great for a daycare, preschool, Christian school, or church to have in its children's library. Also good for parents of children with disabilities or who know children with disabilities. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
God Made Me Unique is authored by Joni and Friends, the ministry group advocating for people with disabilities started by Joni Eareckson Tada. Subtitled: Helping Children See Value in Every Person, this book helps children realise that there are many differences amongst people in the world, but we are all still made by God and loved by him. Set in a Sunday School class, one morning the teacher announces there is a new student arriving, Brie. The teacher starts an explanation of special needs and how various children in the class have some differences: Jamal has a wheelchair and Wyatt plays with toys to help him focus and keep hands to himself. Brie finds noises a bit too much sometimes and wears headphones to manage it. The teacher goes on to explain that all parts of the body work in different ways together, and like that, the church has many members with different skills and gifts and abilities. “Even if some parts don’t work right! We’re still important to God and never out of his sight.” It is in rhyme and for the most part it reads out loud well and easily. Trish Mahoney is the illustrator for this whole series, and so each book has a distinct yet familiar feel, with clear, fun illustrations. The whole series is worth having for those with young children.
From Joni and Friends comes a book that teaches children about disabilities. The inviting bright illustrations and rhyming prose make this an inviting and encouraging read for littles. But really stands out is the variety and well-written descriptions of disabilities. While none are specifically named, each is well represented. Add in the resources for parents at the end of the book and the talking points throughout, and children will not only learn that God makes each of us special in our own way, but that each of us has a place in the body of Christ. This little book will make an excellent addition to any library, whether it be a home, church, or school. Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
