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Thank You, World
Alice McGinty  
(Check Catalog)

A child is thankful for the special things in life, such as sun that colors the sky, clouds that paint cotton pictures, and stars that shine like Mommy's eyes.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3
In this simple celebration, youngsters from different countries enjoy a typical day and readers recognize the commonalities of childhood experiences. The endpapers identify the eight nations-U.S., Mexico, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, France, India, and China-each highlighted on an individual globe map bordered with a colored frame. On the following spreads, illustrations depicting scenes from each locale appear with the same color border and position so that readers can follow a particular child throughout his or her day or compare how youngsters in all of the countries engage in similar pursuits. The gentle, uplifting narrative begins each phrase with "Thank you," as the children express their appreciation for special things and happy moments (e.g., the sun, a swing, kites, mothers, etc.). The rhyming text connects images from one spread to the next: "Thank you, grass, for softening my footsteps./I'm dancing with the breeze" is followed by "Thank you, breeze, for lifting up my kite wings/past treetops tall and proud." Attractive pencil-and-crayon drawings complement the story's style and tone. The realistic pictures will keep readers busy examining details of each child's lifestyle and homeland. The book will appeal to their curiosity about other youngsters and will enforce the concept of celebrating similarities and giving thanks for everyday things.