Sage Foster-Lasser

We just celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada and talked about things that we were thankful for, so this was a timely book to read to my grandson. I loved this book. Even though it talks about being grateful, there are other character traits that are shared in this book such as being helpful, conquering fears and trying new things. It follows the story of Kiko, a young girl who goes on a camping trip with her class. At the end of the day as they sit around a campfire, the children discuss what they are grateful for, using examples from their trip. The illustrations were cute and showed a lot of diversity with these children. I'm not sure how helpful the notes at the back of the book will actually be for parents, but they are there. The publisher, Magination Press, provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own.
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The very first page of this book says that Kiko can “grow Grateful, too.” But why is it too? The reader hasn’t been shown another character, let alone another character who is grateful. Then the story meanders around a camping trip until the night time when the teacher asks students for what they are grateful? Then the book actually starts explaining grateful by saying “being grateful is feeling gratitude”, yes they explain gratitude, but it’s such a roll your eye moment as an adult reader. Then the readers note and “how to use this book” at the end just exasperated the eye roll. This book was not for me. It left the message for the end rather than starting with the message and reiterating it in the further pages. I don’t think this works that well, and I will not be purchasing it for my library.… (meer)