Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes

Bibliography:
Grimes, N. 2006. THANKS A MILLION. Ill. by Cozbi A. Cabrera. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 0688172938

Plot Summary:
Thankfulness is the subject of Thanks a Million, a book of poetry by Nikki Grimes. The sixteen poems explore the range and different forms of gratitude from giving thanks, family appreciation, sibling affection, and loyalty. Grimes uses varying forms of poetry from haiku to couplets to express the different points of view. The poems are complimented by Cozbi A. Cabrera’s brightly colored illustrations.

Critical Analysis:
Grimes’ book of poetry addresses the issue of thankfulness as a daily activity that should not be taken for granted. She writes poems about children who face issues such as being the new student, having to take care of a younger sibling, and having a Dad to play basketball with. Thanks a Million’s biggest accomplishments is showing that there is always something to be thankful for while providing different examples of how to express thanks.

Grimes does not trivialize the concerns of children, but expresses those concerns and emotions in a meaningful way such as The Lunchroom which talks about the fear of not making friends at a new school. This book is also an excellent addition to a library collection because of its acknowledgment of different races and cultures, which provides every student the opportunity to relate on both the emotional and visual level.

The acrylic illustrations by Cozbi Cabrera fill each of the pages with vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes. She conveys the essence of each poem without overwhelming the writing. One painting for the poem Dear Author depicts a girl sitting on the far right of the two-page spread reading her book, while the sky shows turbulence on the edges while in the center the sky begins to clear. The poem talks about the loss of a parent and how the child finds a way to cope with that loss. The paintings and the poems work together to create an inspiring read for any classroom.

Review Excerpts:
Booklist:
“Grimes' latest thematic poetry collection lends the attitude of gratitude relevance beyond Thanksgiving Day. Children struggling to articulate gratitude will find numerous ways to draw upon this--some may memorize or copy out favorite poems to pass along, while others will be inspired to pen their own tender words.”

School Library Journal:
“Sixteen thoughtful poems about being thankful for everyday things. A lovely book for reflection and discussion.”

Connections:
-Further Reading about thankfulness:
-Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art, ISBN:0688164153
-Other works by Nikki Grimes:
-A Pocketful of Poems, ISBN:0395938686
-Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems, ISBN:0688156673
-www.nikkigrimes.com
-This provides a good opportunity to talk about what students are thankful for in their lives. In can be used in conjunction with Thanksgiving, but it is effective all year round.
-Students could be encouraged to tell someone in their lives that they are appreciated or students could write their own poem.