If Only I Had a Green Nose

Minister and author Max Lucado has been blessed with success, with over 31 million copies of his books in print. His bestselling children's books about the “Wemmicks” (marionette-like characters) have been brought to the small screen in three computer-animated adaptations, the most recent of which is this version of the 2002 picture book If Only I Had a Green Nose. Set in Wemmicksville, the story finds Punchinello initially resisting but later succumbing to Willy Withit's sales pitch to get his nose painted green in order to be popular and good-looking. After Punchinello and his friends conform, they ridicule others who do not jump on the nasal fashion bandwagon. Unfortunately, the “Withit” nose color du jour keeps changing, and eventually the group grows tired of running with the other consumer sheep. Punchinello returns to his maker, the woodcarver Eli (from the Hebrew name for Jehovah--i.e., God), who reminds him that he is loved and accepted as is, not for what he does to win acceptance from others. While not subtle, the message is certainly timely in our materialistic culture. Recommended. [Note: the other two “Wemmicks” titles available on VHS and DVD at the same prices are: You Are Special and You Are Mine.] Aud: K, E, P. (R. Reagan)