"Teacher Appreciation Day" by Lynn Plourde tells the story of students on teacher appreciation day. Every student does things for Mrs. Shepard, but Maybella cannot decide what to get for her. She does many things like: buying every fruit, painting every animal, picking every plant, and cleaning the whole room. Mrs. Shepard is overwhelmed but very appreciative. This book made me feel excited and giddy, as one day I will be the teacher receiving apples and flowers on teacher appreciation day. Teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world, but it not greatly appreciated by everyone, so one day a year to feel that love is great. I would read this book to my class over and over again to show them all that teachers do and why teacher appreciation day is so important, no matter whether they receive gifts or not. Teachers just want to know the work they are doing is being noticed.
I also was able to relate to this book because I remember feeling just as giddy and excited as a child to bring my teacher the mug and apple I was bringing them. I could not wait to see their reaction and felt satisfied and happy, when they smiled and thanked me. ( )

I really liked the book “Teacher Appreciation Day” for many reasons. One reason is that it has a catchy, rhyming phrase throughout the book. “Eeny meeny miney mo. So many choices, I just don’t know. Eeny meeny miney moos. So many foods, how can I choose?” This is a fun addition to the book that would keep children engaged and allow them to chant along with the familiar phrases. In addition, the book is very amusing because of Maybella Jean Wishywashy’s choices of what to bring her teacher for Teacher Appreciation Day. She can’t decide what food to bring, so she brings them all! She can’t decide what color to wear, so she wears them all! And she can’t decide what kind of flowers to pick, so she picks them all! The illustrations that accompany the book fit perfectly to the text, and enhance the silly, light-hearted mood. Lastly, the print of the book adds to the emotion and excitement. Certain words are bold, written in bigger font, and written in a different color to make them stand out and emphasize their importance to the story. The main idea is that recognition and appreciation means more to people than gifts. ( )