Gracias / Thanks (English and Spanish Edition) [Hardcover]

Pat Mora (Author), John Parra (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In a series of poetic sentences, a young boy (biracial Mexican/Caucasian) tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful. Come share the joy, and think about all the things for which you can say, ¡Gracias! Thanks!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A boy recounts the many things he is thankful for, like his time at the beach and the bees that donâÇÖt sting him when he is outside playing. The poetic writing flows in both Spanish and English and carries a sense of happiness brought by the simple things in life. The cheery and brightly colored acrylic illustrations are full of fun details and add depth to the text. Multicultural characters are revealed page by page, but unless readers are paying close attention, they might not pick up on the boyâÇÖs Mexican-American heritage. This delightful bilingual book has universal appeal and would be a wonderful choice for library storytimes or classroom read-alouds as the âÇ£giving thanksâÇ¥ theme lends itself to holidays and social topics. The authorâÇÖs endnote challenges readers to list the things for which they are thankful. A must buy for all libraries looking to add to their childrenâÇÖs Spanish collections.–Shannon Dye Gemberling, Peoria Public Library, AZ
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* From the sun waking him up in the morning to a cricket chirping him to sleep at night, a young boy gives thanks for the many things and people who enrich his life. These blessings are remarkable for their childlike imagination and fresh imagery: “Por mis piyamas viejos, tan suaves que me siento como si me estuviera poniendo aire, gracias. / For my old pajamas, so soft they feel like I’m putting on air, thanks.” The bilingual format features Spanish on the left-hand page and English on the right, and the dedication and author’s note are also printed in both languages. The boy himself appears to be bicultural, with a fair-skinned, blond mother and a Latino father, and together with the boy’s siblings and extended family, they are warmly depicted dancing, fishing, working, and eating. Parra’s vivid acrylic illustrations have the feel of folk-art woodcuts and whimsically portray the details of the boy’s world, from his kite and books to his tennis shoes and ice cream. Books of thanks can run toward clichés, but the originality and liveliness of language and art in this one will inspire children to consider their own blessings. Preschool-Grade 2. --Linda Perkins

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books; Bilingual edition (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English, Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1600602584
• ISBN-13: 978-1600602580
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Hispanic & Latino
  • #38 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Personal Hygiene

More About the Author

Pat Mora, born in El Paso, Texas, is an award-winning poet and author of books for adults, teens, and children. Her awards include a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Golden Kite Award, American Library Association Notable Book Awards, and honorary doctorates. A former teacher and university administrator, she is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños / El día de los libros, Children's Day / Book Day (Día). The year-long commitment to linking all children to books, languages and cultures, and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in celebrations across the country in April. Pat lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and invites you to visit her at www.patmora.com and http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very endearing book about a young boy who is thankful for the ordinary things in his life!, November 30, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gracias / Thanks (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

A young boy pushed back his blanket and rubbed his eye. The sun had woken him up and it was time to get up, take off his soft old pajamas and start his day. Later he was sitting on a bench enjoying the spring weather. He was writing and drawing in his journal thinking about the things he was thankful for. He smiled as a ladybug landed on his finger because that was something to be thankful for. When he was at the beach with his sister they would run into the "foamy waves" and that too was something to be thankful for.

"Por las abejas que no me
picaron y convirtieron en
un alfiletero, gracias>"

"For the bees that didn't
sting me and turn me into
a pincushion, thanks."

There were so many things that a boy could be thankful for, but a nice one was when Abuelita snuck him a bit of money when no one was looking. Friends, worms that helped him catch a "big fish," a brother who did silly things to make him laugh, Mom who found his lost homework, his uncle's music, a supportive family, the chocolate Dad poured on ice cream and last, but not least, those old pajamas that make him feel like he was "putting on air." Thank you!

This is a very endearing book about a young boy who is thankful for the ordinary things in his life. There is a charming two-page spread of the things this boy is thankful for. Each statement of thanks is done in both English and Spanish as the boy depicted is biracial and bilingual. I loved this simple story of appreciation and thought the artwork meshed quite well with the tale. The art work, rendered in acrylic, had an interesting vintage look to it with little scratches and "crazing" here and there. This book would be a lovely addition to any homeschool or classroom shelf!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A HAPPY BOOK WITH A MORAL, December 12, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gracias / Thanks (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

Bilingual books are treasures - such an easy way to learn, so much fun, and a bringing together of cultures. Now, when that bilingual book also offers a moral it's tops! An apt description of GRACIAS THANKS.

Bold, colorful illustrations by graphic artist John Parra reflect his Hispanic heritage and capture not only the eye but the feeling of the narrative. Parra's pictures set the stage for simply put ideas, related very much as a child would as he or she thinks of all the things that merit appreciation.

For instance, "For the sun that wakes me up so I don't sleep for years and years and grow a long white beard. Thanks." Is that not the way a child might express this idea?

Or, "For my family, who clapped and clapped even when I tripped on the stage in the school play. Thanks." Kids can certainly relate to that.

Most of the observations are lighthearted, such as appreciation for a chocolate sauce called "warm mud" or an uncle's guitar that causes the dogs to howl. Yet the message is very clear - the world is a wonderful place and there is much for which we can be thankful and should express gratitude.

In a closing note Pat Mora reminds young readers, "Listing what I'm thankful for always makes me happy." This is a very happy book and highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciate the Small Things in Life, October 24, 2010

By 

brittanybriscoe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gracias / Thanks (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

Appreciate the Small Things in Life
Gracias Thanks
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book- 2009
By: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: John Parra
Gracias Thanks is a poetic like writing in both English and Spanish. This is a great children's book for bilingual children or introduction of a new language. Pat Mora's words on every page make you think just how grateful we should be of all the small things in daily life.
This children's book is a great way to introduce children to appreciation of life. The story seems to be narrated from a child's perspective of life so that other children can relate. We are taken through the young boy's day as he starts the story by thinking the sun for waking him and ends with thanking the crickets for putting him to sleep. The illustrations only deepen the thoughtful expressions. The pictures are fun and bright filled. Each one of the images make you relate to that situation. This book is great for parents/caretakers to read with children so each of them can obtain a greater awareness of life's simple things. After reading this book, you can discuss what children should be thankful for.