MotherReader

You can still win twenty-five picture books for yourself or your school. Learn more about the ABC Giveaway.

Gracias*Thanks
by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra

In poetic text, a boy conveys his thanks to the things that make his day — make every day — special. There is gratitude for both family — like the mother who finds his homework in the trash — and nature: “For the ladybug that landed on my finger, a little red flying surprise, thanks.” While the bilingual book demonstrates thankfulness for the big things, the message is conveyed in the smaller ways these things are seen in daily life. The childlike viewpoint keeps away the clichés that could easily appear in a such a book, and the bright, engaging illustrations spotlight beauty in the ordinary. The artwork joyfully portrays Hispanic culture without establishing a specific setting and features a diverse group of family and friends. An absolutely perfect book to share in the classroom, library, preschool, or home.

Give this book with a journal to record all the things the child is thankful for or look for more Ways to Give a Picture Book or over a hundred other Ways to Give a Book this holiday season.

Book: Duck in the Truck, by Jez Alborough, or The Old Blue Pickup Truck, by Candice Ransom

Book: Night Train, by Caroline Stutson, or Train Song, by Diane Siebert, or for a totally different take, Shark vs. Train, by Chris Barton

Song: “Down by the Station”

Book: Turtle Splash: Countdown at the Pond, by Catherine Falwell, or Emma’s Turtle, by Eve Bunting

Action Rhyme: “There Was a Little Turtle”

There was a little turtle,
He lived in a box
He swam in a puddle,
He climbed on the rocks.

He snapped at a mosquito,
He snapped at a flea,
He snapped at a minnow,
And he snapped at me.

He caught the mosquito,
He caught the flea,
He caught the minnow,
But he didn’t catch ME!

Book: Miss Spider’s Tea Party, by David Kirk, or The Tiger Who Came to Tea, by Judith Kerr

(This review from the Publishers Weekly of the now-famous Kirk made me laugh: “First-time author Kirk’s rhyming text, with its singsong rhythm and counting motif is slack and predictable, but his illustrations are thoroughly original.”)

Song: “I’m a Little Teapot”

Book: The Teeny Tiny Teacher, by Stephanie Calmenson, or This is the Teacher, by Rhonda Gowler Green