Thank You, Mr. Falker (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The grandpa held the jar of honey so that all the family could see, then dipped a ladle into it and drizzled honey on the..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of Polacco's (Thundercake; Pink and Say) work know well her talent for weaving her colorful family history throughout her picture books. Here Polacco shares her childhood triumph over dyslexia and discovery of reading in an inspiring if slightly formulaic story. Young Trisha is eager to taste the "sweetness of knowledge" that her grandfather has always revered (here symbolized by drizzling honey onto a book and tasting it, which harkens back to Polacco's earlier The Bee Tree). But when she looks at words and numbers, everything is a jumble. Trisha endures the cruel taunts of classmates who call her "dumb," and falls behind in her studies. But finally the encouragement and efforts of a new fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker, trigger a monumental turning point in Trisha's life. She begins to blossom and develop all of her talents, including reading. Polacco's tale is all the more heartfelt because of its personal nature. Young readers struggling with learning difficulties will identify with Trisha's situation and find reassurance in her success. Polacco's gouache-and-pencil compositions deftly capture the emotional stages?frustration, pain, elation?of Trisha's journey. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4AOnce more Polacco shares a personal story with engaging results. This moving saga of her struggle with a learning disability makes an inspiring picture book. Young Tricia wants desperately to read but when she starts school she finds that the words "wiggle" on the page. Teased by her classmates, she retreats into dreams and drawings. It's not until the family moves to California and Tricia has managed to reach the fifth grade that a new teacher finally recognizes her pain and distress. What's more, he does something about it. Without belaboring the point, the author clearly shows the ways that children internalize critical comments made by others and suffer for their differences. This touching story is accompanied by illustrations in Polacco's signature style. Youngsters, as well as adults, may find themselves choked up at the emotions so eloquently described in words and pictures. Yet, like the tears young Tricia cries at the end of the book, these are ultimately tears of joy. Thank you, indeed, Mr. Felker (the real name of the teacher involved) for making it all possible. Readers will be grateful for the chance to recognize, appreciate, and share in Polacco's talent and creativity.ALisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (May 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399231668
• ISBN-13: 978-0399231667
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,968 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #37 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Polacco, Patricia
  #95 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks you, Mr. Falker, for giving us Patricia Polacco!, March 24, 2000

By	Claudia C.Bright (Spartanburg, South Carolina) - See all my reviews

Even though Thank You, Mr. Falker is a children's book, it is one of the most incredible and profound books I have ever read. It is a "must-read" for every child and teacher, whether new or experienced. The text and the picture blend so perfectly together, just like all picture books should. The pictures portray the feelings of a little girl who is obviously alone and so in need of love and recognition.

I introduced Thank You, Mr. Falker to my principal, assistant principal,and instructional facilitator(IF) the Monday morning after I had read it. They all loved it as much as I did. (Our assistant principal even left a note on the front of the book, stating her review: "WOW". Our IF was about to instruct the teachers in our school on differentiating instruction; she thought this book would demonstrate that topic very well. I asked her if I could read the book to them at each of their grade-level meetings. Many tears were shed as we shared this special story.

This story may help teachers to realize how important they can be in the life of every student who walks through the doors of their classroom. We may never know what impact our interactions with a child will have on a "Patricia Polacco" in-the-making.

I am glad Thank You, Mr. Falker has been nominated for South Carolina Children's Book of the Year for 2000-2001. I predict the children of SC will love it as much as our teachers did.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book to be Read Aloud in Every Classroom, August 12, 2000

By	Colleen D. Gallagher "teachingheart net" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Patricia Polacco bases this story on her own experiences as a child. She uses the story in this beautiful book to thank her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. In the book, Tricia, who has a yearning to learn to read because of her family's love of learning, discovers that letters in books seem to be all just wiggling shapes. As Tricia moves through school, students call her dumb. She sadly begins to except their teasing and begins to believe she truly is dumb; until, Fifth Grade when she is blessed with an outstanding teacher, Mr. Falker. Every classroom should not only have this book, it should be read aloud. Without saying the word "dyslexia" or preaching, Polacco has produced a wonderfully compassionate story.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uniquely Touching, April 19, 2004

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

One of the most touching children's books I've read in recent memory, this autobiographical story by the great Patricia Polacco tells how "Tricia" overcame her reading problems with the help of a compassionate teacher. Polacco's story evokes the attendant feelings of inferiority and isolations, as well as her grateful joy upon finally reading an entire paragraph.

The story opens with a family ritual later expanded into a full story in Polacco's "The Bee Tree": Her grandfather drizzles some honey on a book cover and tells her "knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book."

Polacco draws in her trademark big loopy style; her palette and composition superbly capture emotion, particularly in the close-ups. She can convey a range of feelings simply by how she places color on a person's face. She's one of the most original and recognizable illustrators around. One of the most heartfelt and moving books you'll find in children's literature.