Let me just begin by saying that I love, love, LOVE this book! From the illustration on the cover, to the selections of poems, to the reasons behind it all, I think this children’s book is a must-have for any bookshelf.

To begin with, Thanku is about Gratitude, and the poetry selections bring the idea of gratitude to a child’s level—being grateful for a puppy, falling leaves, a sweatshirt, and more. Sometimes, a poem is told from a surprising point of view, as the spider who is grateful for not being squished in Sylvia Liu’s poem “Thanks In Advance (For Not Squishing Me).”

I also love that a portion from the proceeds of each book sold is given to the non-profit We Need Diverse Books, an organization that promotes the idea that every child should see him- or herself reflected in books. This anthology does much to celebrate diversity, which is understandable, as editor Miranda Paul is a founding member and current Mentorship Chair of that organization.

Next, the illustrations are delightful. Marlena Myles uses textures and layers of color to bring every square inch of each page to life. Her colorful, relatable drawings appeal to adults and children as they strive to depict diverse people throughout the collection, and her style is influenced by her heritage. She describes herself as a Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee Creek artist. Her work is truly a celebration!

Even the genres of poetry are incredibly diverse—no two poems have the same poetic form. In addition to types of poems that are familiar to me, such as an acrostic, a sonnet, and an ode, this anthology also includes newer and less familiar forms: a Tyburn, a Fib (think Fibonacci, where the syllable count per line follows the Fibonacci mathematical sequence), a pantoum, and many more. Not to worry, though—all the poetic forms and literary devices are given on the page with each poem, and there’s a clearly explained glossary at the back of the book.

From the first poem in the book to the “Editor’s Note to Educators and Parents” at the back, the anthology reminds the reader that Gratitude is not something to be practiced only one day a year, but that, “We need to give thanks / every dawn / for the gifts of life, / for each breath drawn” (from “Giving Thanks” by Joseph Bruchac). Editor Miranda Paul also acknowledges the complexities of the Thanksgiving holiday as it has traditionally been taught to elementary-aged children, and that the myths and half-truths that are often taught misrepresent, distort, and shame some cultures. She urges readers to work toward understanding, peace, and unity.

It’s a delightful book to pick up and browse through—each time I look at it, I find myself engaging with the poems and the illustrations all over again. Thanku would be a great way to invite children into reflection about their own gratitude, as each poem is a conversation starter.

I invite you, Dear Reader, to talk with any children in your life about Gratitude. Even more importantly, model Gratitude. Live Gratitude. Seriously: Gratitude. Changes. Everything.

Until next time,