Because of You (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Hiroe Nakata (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-"Each time a child is born, the world changes." Using everyday examples, Hennessy demonstrates how young children help, and are helped by, the people in their lives; grow and learn; and teach others. They share toys, feelings, and ideas. These actions create friendships, and friendships around the world create peace. "It might begin…because of you." The tone is tender and warm, and is reinforced by the soft watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Short sentences make the book appropriate for young listeners and beginning readers, who will find the pictures appealing. A good choice for quiet moments, or to introduce the themes of kindness, friendship, and peace.-Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. From Debra Frasier's On the Day You Were Born (1991) to Dianna Hutts Aston and E. B. Lewis' recent When You Were Born [BKL D 1 04], there is a robust tradition of picture books intended to reassure new family members that they are welcome and loved. In this variation, though, the tender affirmations are paired with gentle reminders of social responsibility. "Because of you," Hennessy writes, "there is one more person who will grow and learn," but also "one more person who can teach others"; "there is one more person who needs help and one more person who can help others." In an empowering conclusion, Hennessy widens the child's sphere of influence, seeing the "small and precious" acts at home as the first step toward world peace--an ambitious goal made less daunting by Nakata's billowy, cotton candy-hued watercolors of smiling characters exchanging gestures of help and affection. This balanced offering slots smoothly into a niche recently made roomier by the character education programs under way in many public schools. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763619264
• ISBN-13: 978-0763619268
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,245 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure for your child's library, June 8, 2005

By	love2read - See all my reviews

As an elementary school teacher & mother of two small girls, whose passion is reading, I am always on the lookout for great children's books.

I first found out about this beautiful book when it was highly recommended by a children's book review site.

After reading it, I could not agree more. The watercolor illustrations, done by Nakata, are adorable and children are easily drawn to them. They really complement the text, which is where the real treasure lies.

What a wonderful, enduring message to reach little hearts! It shows how one small person can make a difference while teaching valuable life lessons. For example, Hennessy writes,

"Because of you, there is one more person to share with. And there is one more person who can share feelings and ideas, as well as things....one more person who can help others... When you help, care, share, & listen, you are being kind. When two people help, care, share, and listen to each other, they are friends."

The whole book is a gem, and I recommend it for children of all ages. It is definitely part of our collection.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Someone small...but a piece of it all., August 8, 2005

By	ArtCat (NY City) - See all my reviews

How small and powerless our children must feel sometimes. This book simply and beautifully conveys the message that each person, no matter how small, does indeed matter as an individual and as part of the whole. It also incorporates the concept of inter-relatedness with others, such as:

"Because of you, there is one more person who will grow and learn and one more person who can teach others," and

"Because of you, there is one more person who needs help
and one more person who can help others."

It ends wonderfully: "Even something as big and important as peace begins with something small and precious. It might begin...because of you."

After I read this aloud to my 5-yr old he was full of hugs and cuddles. He seemed to have gotten a genuine feeling of love and self-appreciation from the book.

Simply lovely and utterly important message for our children to receive.

For more on this concept see "Horton Hears a Who" by Dr. Seuss, the poem "Who Am I?" by Felice Holman (from which I borrowed my title).

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A message for all humans, December 25, 2007

By	May V. Ray (Mogollon, NM) - See all my reviews

I know this book is for kids, but I received it as a grownup's gift and was in tears before I got to the third page. The message this book imparts gives a gentle reminder that we all bring something to the world and our very existence is something to be treasured. It also reminds the reader that we have the potential to bring positive action to our world and the people in it. These are valuable thoughts for readers of any age. It's the core message of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" but in a far more accessible story.

The next time I'm having a bad day or I feel discouraged about my life, I will turn to this little book with a very profound message and read it again and again.

This a keeper--for life.