Poetry Review

Kathey Smith
Book Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY- Grimes, Nikki. 2006 THANKS A MILLION. Ill. by Cozbi A. Cabrera. New York: Greenwillow books. ISBN: 10068817292

PLOT SUMMARY-  A colorful book full of things to be thankful for. A book, weekends, family, candy, a flower, and creative ways to say thank you such as a Homemade Card, and Lunch Box Love Notes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS- The fomat and font used in this book is very simple but valued.  Grimes used long words, short words, rhyming words, pictures, numbers, and letters in a creative manner to say thank you "want 2 thank U".  Grimes uses life situations happy or sad and find the thank you in it
in SHELTER Grimes displays her talent of making sad situation into a thankful one "I wish these walls  were ours.  I wish this bed were mine. that dinnertime meant just us three. my brother, mom, and me". just by reading this the reader can picture a family of three that does not have their own home and are possibly sharing living quartes with others.  The design of the book is an attractive and well formated without the words taking over the page.  Cozbi did an awsome job macthing the pictures with the authors words for the poem SHELTER Cozbi painted the perfect scene of a mother and her two children sitting on a bed with several beds around them that were empty gives the reader a clear image of  type a shelter.  Cozbi use alot of browns and tans which may imply that the chacters are very diverse.  The wonderful art for this book alone say inviting and the creative messages keep readers engaged.
REVIEW EXCERT(S)- 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.  CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: " Simple, beutiful pictures surrounded by simple, dazzling words make this a wonderful book to share with young and old alike".  COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER CHOICE:  "Thank you is a seed I plant in the garden of your heart"  Nikki Grimes offers a varieth of reasons for giving thanks.
CONNECTIONS: This book can be to teach children about gratitude, to help children with behavior issues, or just used to help children feel better about themselves.  This is also a great social skills resource.