Thanks a Million

by Nikki Grimes, Cozbi A. Cabrera (Illustrator)

Overview

“Lends the ‘attitude of gratitude’ relevance beyond Thanksgiving Day.” —Booklist

“Offers a variety of reasons for giving thanks and feeling appreciation.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Acclaimed poet Nikki Grimes and award-winning illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera celebrate the joy of family, friends, and of feeling thankful. An inspirational and useful picture book that's perfect for educators, parents, and aspiring poets.

What does it mean to connect with someone? What does it mean to feel thankful?

Award-winning poet Nikki Grimes and Caldecott Honor artist Cozbi A. Cabrera honor human relationships—from family to friendships to community bonds—and the moments that bring us together.

Beautiful and rhythmic, the text is written in a variety of poetic styles and forms, including letter poems, haikus, and riddles, among others. Richly detailed illustrations accompany each poem, making this a perfect pick for family as well as storytime sharing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688172930
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/28/2006
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nikki Grimes is a New York Times bestselling author and recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, the ALAN Award for significant contributions to young adult literature, the Children’s Literature Legacy Medal, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She is the author of Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade and the recipient of five Coretta Scott King Author Honors. Her recent books include Printz Honor and Sibert Honor Book Ordinary Hazards; Between the Lines, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults title; the much-acclaimed Garvey’s Choice; ALA Notables Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance and Southwest Sunrise; Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice; and Garvey in the Dark. Nikki lives in Corona, California.

 

Cozbi A. Cabrera received a BFA from Parsons School of Design. Her cloth dolls (Muñecas) have garnered the attention of collectors around the world and have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the illustrator of the picture book Beauty, Her Basket, which Publishers Weekly called "a quiet treasure" in a starred review. Her work is featured in her eponymous shop and atelier in Brooklyn. She lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 4-Sixteen thoughtful poems about being thankful for everyday things. Grimes uses a variety of forms that include haiku, a riddle, and a rebus in selections that speak directly to the experiences of young children. In "Lunch Box Love Notes," a big sister sometimes resents having to watch out for her baby brother, but a note left in her lunch box by her mother thanking her "for taking such good care of Ray" makes it worthwhile. "Dear Teacher" closes, "Signed, David/who only hates math/ as much/as he used to." "A Lesson from the Deaf" simply and eloquently describes saying thank you in sign language. Cabrera's acrylic illustrations are distinctive, folksy, and effective. The art for "Mystery" is particularly effective, showcasing 42 children of different ethnicities in small, rectangular portraits. A lovely book for reflection and discussion.-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gratitude for simple pleasures and small kindnesses is the theme of Grimes's newest collection of poems. A child thanks his teacher for helping him "hate math 1/2 as much as he used to"; a new boy in school shares his pie with a classmate who welcomes him; a mother sends her daughter an appreciative lunchbox love note; and a young girl writes to an author expressing her appreciation for a book that touched her heart. Grimes employs quite a potpourri of forms and rhyme schemes, including a rebus, matching them carefully to the mood. The poems are presented on one or two-page spreads surrounded by Cabrera's vibrant acrylic paintings that add pop and personality. One can envision this collection stimulating discussions about the need to say "thank you," as well as encouraging young writers to try their hand at expressing their thoughts in poetry. Good job. (Picture book/poetry. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews

"Some poems directly offer thanks (to a tutor, to an author of a cherished book, to a kind classmate, to God); in others, speakers describe things for which they are grateful {an overture of friendship, the closeness of family); a few poems examine the expression of thanks itself. Since many poems could work individually as readalouds for younger audiences as well, the collection offers a useful entree to discussion of thanks in religious or secular contexts, with particular possibilities for looking beyond turkey and football at Thanksgiving." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Children struggling to articulate gratitude will find numerous ways to draw upon this-some may memorize or copy out favorite poems to pass along, while others will be inspired to pen their own tender words." — Booklist

"Gratitude for simple pleasures and small kindnesses is the theme of Grimes's newest collection of poems. One can envision this collection stimulating discussions about the need to say 'thank you,' as well as encouraging young writers to try their hand at expressing their thoughts in poetry, Good job." — Kirkus Reviews

"Sixteen thoughtful poems about being thankful for everyday things. In 'Lunch Box Love Notes,' a big sister sometimes resents having to watch out for her baby brother, but a note left in her lunch box by her mother thanking her 'for taking such good care of Ray' makes it worthwhile. 'Dear Teacher' closes, 'Signed, David/who only hates math/½ as much/as he used to.' Cabrera's acrylic illustrations are distinctive, folksy, and effective. A lovely book for reflection and discussion." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

"Some poems directly offer thanks (to a tutor, to an author of a cherished book, to a kind classmate, to God); in others, speakers describe things for which they are grateful {an overture of friendship, the closeness of family); a few poems examine the expression of thanks itself. Since many poems could work individually as readalouds for younger audiences as well, the collection offers a useful entree to discussion of thanks in religious or secular contexts, with particular possibilities for looking beyond turkey and football at Thanksgiving."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Children struggling to articulate gratitude will find numerous ways to draw upon this-some may memorize or copy out favorite poems to pass along, while others will be inspired to pen their own tender words."

Booklist

"Children struggling to articulate gratitude will find numerous ways to draw upon this-some may memorize or copy out favorite poems to pass along, while others will be inspired to pen their own tender words."

Booklist

"Some poems directly offer thanks (to a tutor, to an author of a cherished book, to a kind classmate, to God); in others, speakers describe things for which they are grateful {an overture of friendship, the closeness of family); a few poems examine the expression of thanks itself. Since many poems could work individually as readalouds for younger audiences as well, the collection offers a useful entree to discussion of thanks in religious or secular contexts, with particular possibilities for looking beyond turkey and football at Thanksgiving."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books