Product Description

A king adopts a family of orphans who try to impress him with gifts and their talents, but it is the one willing to spend time with him who wins his approval.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25182 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Customer Reviews

Another incredible analogy from Max Lucado
What can I say? Max Lucado is a master of words. His latest children's book, "Just the Way You Are," is incredible. It is the story of 5 children trying to impress the King (in this case the analogy points to God) by their many talents and skills. One girl doesn't think that she has any talents or skills, but she does have a good heart. In the end, that is what counts the most to the King (God). If you like analogies, than you will absolutely love this book!

WHAT IMPRESSES YOU?
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE is a wonderful story that any child will enjoy because we all want to impress people--it's human nature. It is about orphans finding out they are going to be adopted by the king. They are very excited and don't know what to do. The townspeople tell them they need to prepare fine gifts to "impress him when he arrives," so each one begins working fervently preparing his/her gift. One of the orphans can't think of a skill/gift she has and goes to each of the other orphans asking for help. Each one is abrupt, sending her off saying they are in a hurry and don't have time to help her. The girl feels she has nothing to give and is very sad.

The king comes dressed in common clothes and the orphan who has no gift greets him and feeds and grooms his donkey. She sees that this man is very tired and offers him a place to rest. When he wakes up he then goes out to find his orphans and later returns to the girl caring for his donkey, disappointed because everyone was too busy to see him.

The king tells the orphan girl she gave the best gift of all...

There is so much beauty in this book. A valuable story for children to hear, understand and apply to their lives. I give JUST THE WAY YOU ARE a very high recommendation.

Soaring Heart

Wonderful child message
I found this book to be a wonderful addition to any parents library. The story of a child that feels she must be something other than herself to please someone, and learns she can be "just the way she is" to be loved is a perfect message for children today. Every child needs to be loved unconditionally and just the way they were made. I highly recommend it.