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Gracias Thanks is a cheerful, childlike celebration of giving thanks in all circumstances.
Gracias Thanks, by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra. Lee & Low Books, 2009. 32 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended for: ages 4-8
Gracias/Thanks is a bilingual celebration of giving thanks no matter what. The child in the book doesn’t direct his thanks to anyone or anything in particular—which gives parents the freedom to discuss their own religious traditions and holidays. When I read this with my children (when they were much younger!), my family focused on how we are to thank the Lord in everything, in all situations. Because this book doesn’t say to thank the earth or some other entity, we are free to interpret as we choose. And we can read it at any time of the year because the holiday of Thanksgiving is never mentioned or alluded to (partly because the boy in the story is Mexican-American and may or may not celebrate that holiday).
Illustrations are delightful and showcase what the boy is thankful for. This book is original and a great complement to the myriad Thanksgiving oriented books—we can give thanks all year! It also earned a Pura Belpré Honor.
Of Note: As you may have surmised, Gracias Thanks is bilingual, which makes it a great addition to many school classrooms, in particular. The text offers a fun way to help English-speaking students learn some Spanish, and vice versa.
Bottom Line: Gracias Thanks is a cheerful, childlike celebration of giving thanks in all circumstances. Look for it in your local library!
Also at Redeemed Reader:
- Review: Juana Y Lucas is a delightful chapter book series about a Colombian 8-year-old.
- Review: Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo is a truly childlike story with a loving family modeling healthy attitudes towards work and also gently correcting mistakes.
- Review: Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora is a delightful twist on the story of Stone Soup.
Buy Gracias Thanks from Amazon.
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