God Made Me Unique: Helping Children See Value in Every Person

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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.

Endorsements

“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

Additional Details

SKU:: 9781948130707
Category
Sub Category
UPC:: 9781948130707
Weight:: 0.65 LBS
Width:: 8.75 (in)
Height:: 8.75 (in)
Depth:: 0.32 (in)
Author:: Joni and Friends
ISBN-13:: 9781948130707
Publication Date:: 08/19/2019
Retail Price:: 15.99
Format:: Hardback"
Page Count:: 32
Case Quantity:: 48
Age Level:: 4-7 Years
Gender:: Unisex
Series:: God Made Me
BISAC Category 1:: REL012030 RELIGION / Christian Living / Family & Relationships"
Read a Sample:: https://newgrowthpress.com/content/Samples/God-Made-Me-Unique-Sample.pdf

15 Reviews

5
Foundational truth - exceptional child

Published by KristiW on 08 29 2022

The biblical truths in this volume set the foundation for seeing ALL individuals as divinely created and valued. We are all precious in God's sight because we are all created by Him. Emphasis to accept individuals with special needs / disabilities. I'm aiming this towards the 4s & 5s age group Resource room ... and putting one on my office shelf too as a future reference. I plan to use this story book as a classroom tool for affirming children with special needs as they come into church classrooms. Material is all shared from a biblical viewpoint - with scriptures passages built into the pages for further discussion.
5
A Valuable Resource for Special Needs Children

Published by Theron St. John on 01 25 2020

There is no way to state the significance of the story of God Made Me Unique. This is as much a book for the church as it is for children. Church leaders should read this book to see the value of all people, particularly special needs children, in their congregations. Children’s Bible teachers should glean from this resource how they can be more sensitive and strategic in their lessons. All adults would do well to read the back section of the book titled “Four Ways to Help Your Child Understand Disability as Part of God’s Plan”. Children are invited to ask questions and gain an understanding on what disability means and how it can be used to serve and minister. If you know a special needs child who could use the encouragement that God has created and gifted them with value, then check out this book. If you know a church leader who could benefit and learn how to better shepherd as a result of this book, then consider getting them God Made Me Unique. It is of the utmost value! I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.
3
Good Sunday School resource

Published by Savings in Seconds on 12 28 2019

This story takes place in a Sunday School class that awaits a new friend. The visitor wears headphones because she doesn’t like loud noises. As the teacher prepares students for Brie’s arrival, she guides students to a discussion about being unique and how they can each serve God in their own special way. It’s a sweet book that introduces kids to the ideas that other people might look or behave differently, but we’re all special in God’s eyes. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.
5
God Made Me Unique

Published by Connie Porter Saunders on 12 28 2019

God Made Me Unique is a book that needs to be in every classroom! It shows children that even though we may have disabilites and disadvantages, we are still just as God intended! We may look different, we may have different talents, but we are all perfect in God's eyes. It stresses time and again that we need to treat others with kindness and love. The rhyming verse makes this book both fun to read and fun to hear and the bright and colorful illustrations are perfect to quickly gain a child's attention. Bible scripture is sprinkled throughout so that the children will know that it is God's own Word telling us that we are all special and unique. I especially love the easy-to-understand text in God Made Me Unique and its reassuring message that "Disabilities aren't germs that you're able to share. They are part of Creation, there's no need to be scared." This book is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, caregivers, and church workers and I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from New Growth Press but I wasn't required to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
5
Great resource for explaining special needs.

Published by Beauty in the Binding on 12 14 2019

God Made Me Unique from Joni and Friends offers parents a wonderful resource for explaining to young children (ages 3-6) about disabilities/special needs. In the foreword, Joni Eareckson Tada explains the purpose of the book is to help “children to understand that every person is made in the image of God and has tremendous value, regardless of their appearance or abilities.” This purpose comes through clearly as Ms. Campbell shares with her class (some of which have their own special needs) that a new student with special needs will be joining them. Ms. Campbell goes on to discuss how we are all unique, of great value to God, and part of His plan. The children are welcoming and inclusive, setting an admirable model. I recommend God Made Me Unique by Joni and Friends to any caregiver who desires to address how to interact with others who have special needs. The colorful illustrations by Trish Mahoney are simple, but bright and engaging. It complements our homeschooling program well and helps foster healthy attitudes and interactions with children who have special needs. Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.