Maw Books

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My father-in-law has often joked (but totally serious) that Spanish is the language that we speak in heaven.  He loves the language.   He’s fluent in Spanish and uses it on a daily basis in his work and my mother-in-law recently learned it as well while they attended an all Spanish speaking congregation for church.  So it was without surprise that they have given my boys Spanish vocabulary board books and so it’s with open arms that I welcomed Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora and illustrated by John Parra into our Thanksgiving picture book collection when it mysteriously arrived on my doorstep (which I think is attributed to my asking about great Thanksgiving books on Twitter).  Gracias Thanks is told in both Spanish and English and at its heart is a little boy who is thankful for the little things that make his life so enjoyable and meaningful.

Por la mariquita que se posí en mi dedo, una pequeña sorpresa voladora roja, gracias.

For the ladybug that landed on my finger, a little red flying surprise, thanks..

Por mi hermanito, que le lanzó su puré de chícharos a mi hermana y me hizo reír tanto que me caí de la silla, gracias.

For my little brother, who threw mashed peas at my sister and made me laugh so hard I feel off my chair, thanks.

Por el chocolate que papá derrite hasta que se convierte en un líquido espeso que llamamos lodo tibio cuando lo vertemos sobre el helado de vainilla, gracias.

For the chocolate Dad melts into thick syrup we call warm mud when we pour it on vanilla ice cream, thanks.

I love how Gracias Thanks is not screaming Thanksgiving book to me.  In fact, there’s nothing about Thanksgiving mentioned or portrayed in it. It makes for the perfect read not only during this month where we reflect on our blessings and our gratitude but for any time of the year as well.  A great book for any collection looking for more books with diversity and one that I will revisit with my boys again each year.

Links of interest:  Pat Mora website, John Parra website, more book blogger reviews, Maw Books review of Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico! Americas’ Sprouting also by Pat Mora.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Lee and Low Books. October 20, 2009.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1600602584
Gracias Thanks is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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