If Only I Had a Green Nose

Wemmicksville #3

by Max Lucado, Sergio Martínez (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Religion, Fiction, Fantasy, Christian Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

https://www.facebook.com/maxlucado/

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Reviews

[Sassy Katt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! It's all about trying to fit in vs being the person God created you to be.

[Mahsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

دوست‌داشتنی، با تصویرهای بامزه.

پانچلو گفت: «پس داشتن بینی سبز چه فایده‌ای برای آن‌ها دارد؟»
ایلای گفت: «فقط سبز می‌شوند. آن‌ها فکر می‌کنند اگر شبیه دیگران شوند خوشبخت‌تر خواهند بود. اما من آن‌ها را عمداً گوناگون ساخته‌ام. هدف من این بود که هر یک از آن‌ها را به شکلی متفاوت بسازم. بینی‌های دراز، خال، کک و مک، چشم‌های روشن، چشم‌های تیره و چیزهای متفاوت دیگر. من همه‌ی ساخته‌هایم را با همین تفاوت‌ها دوست دارم، حالا آن‌ها می‌خواهند شبیه یکدیگر شوند.»

[Fateme H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

هوشمندانه و دوست‌داشتنی.
قیافه کتاب به یه داستان کودکانه می‌خوره، اما به نظرم برای هر آدمی توی هر سنی می‌تونه مفید باشه.

[Payam Ebrahimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

ایده‌ی درخشان و پرداخت پرت‌وپلا.
جز ایده هیچ ویژگی خاصی نداشت. کاملا تعلیمی با جملات پرت‌وپلای انگیزشی در باب بی‌نظیر بودن که البته هیچ‌جای داستان کاربرد و خاصیتی نداشت و از عالم غیب بر سر خواننده خراب می‌شد. و سرانجام نتیجه‌گیری و تحول شخصیت ناگهانی بدون هیچ‌گونه کاشتِ قبلی در داستان.
مترجم کتاب در ابتدای کتاب به خواننده به‌خاطر این انتخاب تبریک گفته! طبیعتا از یک روانشناس کودک انتظار بیشتر از این هم نمیشه داشت. روانشناس‌ها به معنای واقعی کلمه آفت ادبیات کودکن و ای کاش پاشون بیش از پیش به ادبیات باز نشه!

[Fateme · Rating 4 out of 5]

تصمیم دارم این هفته این کتاب را با بچه ها بخوانم. کتابی درباره ی حس خودارزشمندی و اعتماد به نفس در کودکان. به نظرم داستان روایت نسبتا خوبی دارد و حتما با فعالیت های مختلف می‌توان خوانش این کتاب را هیجان انگیز تر کرد.

[Farjaneh_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

هو النور
داستان قشنگی بود درباره‌ی تاثیر مد
۷سال به بالا📚

[Merrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to read this book to a group of first graders at our church's day school. What a delightful story with so many messages. The children enjoyed it almost as much as I did. A wonderfully simple story!

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If Only I Had a Green Nose” is the sequel to You Are Special, another meaningful children’s story by Max Lucado. This is the fourth book that I’ve read in this charming series. They don’t need to be read in order, as they all have their own unique meaning and take-away message. The illustrations have a nostalgic flair that adults and children will both enjoy.

It was fun connecting with my favorite little Wemmick again! In this book, Punchinello learns how peer pressure to ‘fit in’ can lead him down the wrong path.

Eli the woodcarver (who symbolizes God in the Wemmick series) created the Wemmicks as unique individuals—some tall, some short, some with freckles, etc.… But when Mr. Willy Withit, the pioneer of painted noses, comes to town and convinces everyone that a green nose will make them better, the crowds follow his lead. Punchinello ends up succumbing to the pressure and when the rules of ‘fitting in’ keep changing, he realizes he made a mistake. Thankfully, Eli is there for Punchinello and his friends and agrees to fix them back to their original and very special selves.

Not only is this story so much fun to read, but it shares a timely message in today’s era of ‘trends’ and ‘influencers’, where people are encouraged to be, do, look, and act like others. It’s important for children to learn that we are uniquely created individuals and THAT is what makes us special.

First Line: Lucia and Punchinello looked out the window of Eli’s workshop.
Series: Wemmicks, volume 3
Genre: Children
Author: Max Lucado
Page Count: 32
Reading Age: 4-8

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Najma · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکی از بهترین کتابهای کودکی که خوندم. البته چند جلد دیگه هم از این مجموعه هست که اونها هم خواندنیه

[Petya Kokudeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Купих си две детски книжки на напълно неизвестния ми американец Макс Лукадо. От книжарница за християнска литература. Признавам, че отначало имах чувството, че някой мормон аха и ще изскочи иззад някоя страница да ме увещава в разни работи, но... все пак взех книжките. Хубави са. Тъжно-смешни. Има бог в тях, но по един деликатен, приятелски, грижовен начин. Не догматично и менторско говорене. Голямата тема на автора е цеността на човек сам по себе си. Мисля, че биха се понравили книжкките и на възрастни.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie read to mom for the Family Christian summer reading program..krb 6/13/16

Read to Pattiy in INR...krb 1/20/19

[Atiyeh]

Max Lucado’s *If Only I Had a Green Nose*, beautifully illustrated by Sergio Martínez, is a heartwarming and thought-provoking children’s book that explores themes of identity, peer pressure, and self-acceptance. Part of the *Wemmicks* series, this story continues the journey of Punchinello, a wooden character carved by the kindhearted Eli, who represents God’s love and wisdom.

The story follows Punchinello and the other Wemmicks, who become obsessed with painting their noses green because it's the latest trend. At first, Punchinello resists, but as he sees more and more Wemmicks following the trend, he begins to doubt himself. Eventually, he gives in, only to realize that trends constantly change—soon, blue noses become the new fad, then something else after that. Exhausted and confused, Punchinello turns to Eli, who reminds him that he was made special just the way he is and that his worth isn’t determined by fitting in.

Lucado’s message is clear and uplifting: chasing acceptance by constantly changing oneself leads to insecurity and exhaustion, while true contentment comes from embracing one's uniqueness. The allegory is easy for children to understand, yet profound enough to resonate with adults as well. The story gently encourages readers to resist societal pressure and instead find confidence in their intrinsic value.

Sergio Martínez’s illustrations bring the Wemmicks to life with warm, detailed artwork that enhances the emotional depth of the story. The expressions on the characters’ faces and the rich, textured settings add to the book’s charm, making it visually engaging for young readers.

Overall, *If Only I Had a Green Nose* is a beautifully written and illustrated book with a timeless lesson about self-worth. It’s a fantastic read for children and parents alike, sparking meaningful conversations about individuality, confidence, and staying true to oneself.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE this book because it illustrates so well that changing something about ourselves or how we look, or what we where to be popular or have others like us better will almost never work. It shows that fashions are fickle and often not worth following.

* Talking Points: Are fashions good to follow? Why or why not? Does following fashion make God love you more? Or you love you more? Or others love you more? Is that love lasting of fleeting? Who decides what's fashionable? Do you think a person would be happier in their life pursuing fashions or pursing their own interests?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: Try diffusing doTERRA's Bergamot essential oil while reading this book or when you need to feel a little more self-love.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book a few years ago, before I had children. I enjoyed the message of the book, the story and the artwork. Now that I have young children of my own I appreciate the story even more. Punchinello is a Wemmick, a wooden person in a village of wooden people. They were all made by Eli. Punchinello and his friend Lucia think all the other Wemmicks are being silly and having their noses painted green. But soon Punchinello's desire to fit in outweighs his common sense and he gets his nose painted. Soon however he has layer after layer of paint on his nose. It seems that every day a new color is in fashion, and he is tired of following the trend. But can he admit his mistake in following the crowd and go to Eli to be fixed? This is a great story about being true to yourself, to being who you were created to be and rejoicing in your amazing, beautiful, unique and special place in creation. Wonderfully written and illustrated, this is a great book for children in your life, or the child inside of you.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to our granddaughter, and she stayed with me to the end which for a longer book is hard to accomplish, even at bedtime. She appeared to enjoy the illustrations and was captured by the plot and characters described in the book. Maybe the book could be slightly less in pages and still communicate well enough the beautiful message and powerful application. It certainly allows you to start a conversation with the child who at such a young age is already bombarded with comparing herself to others. My only slight complaint is the name Punchinello) where do you put the accent), not the easiest name to pronounce, and I am not sure why he chose that name, but nonetheless the book is certainly a winner.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punchinello is certain that every other Wemmick getting their nose painted green is the silliest thing he has ever seen...but, if everybody else is doing it, then how else can he fit in? Lucado gives readers a heartwarming and humorous tale full of gorgeous illustrations and lovable characters. A must read for young readers of all ages!

[Inga Narijauskienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graži istorija, kuri gali puikiai tikti tais atvejais, jeigu norim pakalbėti apie besikeičiančias madas, grožio sampratą, gyvenimo tikslus, siekius, vertybes, patyčias ir pan.

Max Lucado rašo alegorines pasakas apie Dievą ir jo sukurtą žmonių pasaulį - vemiksus ir jų Kūrėją Elį. Religijos tiesų skleidimo nekomentuosiu, tiesa, šioje Max Lucado pasakoje aš nejutau jų spaudimo :)

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

How easy it is to give in to pressure to be the same as everyone else. Punchinello learns this lesson the hard way as he joins the frenzy of having the right color nose.
Eli helps him fix this when he finally comes back to see him.

[Mo.Azimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

حسی که نسبت به کتاب دارم اینه که نویسنده از بزرگسالا قطع امید کرده، گفته از اول نسل جدید رو اصلاح کنیم

این مجموعه کتاب مسائل عادی اطرافمون رو نقد میکنه و یادآوری میکنه بعضی حماقتامون رو که در اون غرقیم
بخوام پیشنهاد کنم هم واقعا فکر نمی‌کنم مخاطب فقط کودک باشه و بیشتر مخاطب بزرگساله

[Saqqa Alamdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

خیلی جالب و پر محتوا بود. در قالب داستان معایب مدگرایی افراطی این روزها رو گفته و به چالش کشیده. برای بچه های بالای ۷ یا ۸ سال احتمالا خیلی جالب باشه.
«ای کاش بینی من هم سبز بود» را از طاقچه دریافت کنید
https://taaghche.com/book/12709

[Hananeh_A · Rating 5 out of 5]

این دومین کتاب نوجوانی بود که خوندم. خیلی لذت بردم از اینکه به موضوعی پرداخته شد که توی زندگی روزانه هر روز ما در حال رخ دادنه.
اگه تا حالا کتاب نوجوان نخوندین یا به خوندن این نوع کتابها علاقه مند هستید بهتون پیشنهاد میکنم.

[Erin Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a kids book, but it’s too dang cute! It’s all about trying to change yourself to fit in with everyone around you, but you are perfect the way you are! My son loves this book, I loved it when I was a kid and hadn’t read it in years and it was just a good reminder to myself as well!

[Sheyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story to show the kids how trends are always changing.

[Alireza Emami · Rating 5 out of 5]

خداشناسی

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be a kids book, but its so true for adults to. I love kids books.

[Mike Westra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: fiction
unique feature: Parable that warns of the troubles of being trendy.
grade(s) 1-5

[Amy Balaich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book - similar message to You Are Special, but not as good.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brought to my attention by a student who loved this picture book as a child, Pastor Lucado's subtly religious picture book seems like a Christian adaptation of Dr. Seuss's _The Sneetches_.

[Alysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

[زهراسادات حسنی · Rating 5 out of 5]

مختصر و مفید