Because I Had a Teacher

by Kobi Yamada, Natalie Russell (Illustrator)

Overview

We all remember our favorite teacher. Where would we be without them those special people who inspire us, support us, and encourage us? Whether they're an educator, a coach, or a mentor, this book is for them. To celebrate the worlds they open up for us and to thank them for the difference they make.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943200085
Publisher:	APG Sales & Distribution
Publication date:	03/01/2017
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	23,586
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Kobi Yamada is a New York Times best-selling author and the creator of many inspiring gift books as well as the president of Compendium, a company of amazing people doing amazing things. He happily lives with the love of his life and their two super fun kids in the land of flying salmon where he gets to believe in his ideas all day long. He thinks he just might be the luckiest person on the planet.

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2017
Gr 1–5—A young bear reflects on all of the things he has learned and can do because he had a great teacher. Russell's watercolor and pencil illustrations walk through different academic subjects and outside activities, with one idea per spread, as the little bear tells of each lesson learned. There are some nice artwork touches, like the bear holding a globe balloon and molecules that look like soccer balls. However, some of the lessons are difficult; some are abstract concepts that would be hard for a child as young as the bear appears to be to articulate: "Some of the most important things are said without words" and "some of the hardest things for me to do make me feel proudest." VERDICT More a celebration of teachers than a story, this would be most enjoyed as a gift for a special teacher or mentor.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

School Library Journal

2016-12-14
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.This gentle ode to a teacher's skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child's viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can't look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who's already grown. Alternatively, readers won't fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren't parents and other close family members children's first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who's developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor. A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews