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

About

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.

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.

Illustrator 

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 See Jesus; 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