Product Description

Each time a child is born the world changes. Each child brings to the world one more person to love and care for -- and one more person who can love and care for others. As children grow and learn, they can teach others and share feelings, ideas, and things.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12535 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-03
• Released on: 2005-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 24 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780763619268
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-"Each time a child is born, the world changes." Using everyday examples, Hennessy demonstrates how young children help, and are helped by, the people in their lives; grow and learn; and teach others. They share toys, feelings, and ideas. These actions create friendships, and friendships around the world create peace. "It might begin…because of you." The tone is tender and warm, and is reinforced by the soft watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Short sentences make the book appropriate for young listeners and beginning readers, who will find the pictures appealing. A good choice for quiet moments, or to introduce the themes of kindness, friendship, and peace.-Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. From Debra Frasier's On the Day You Were Born (1991) to Dianna Hutts Aston and E. B. Lewis' recent When You Were Born [BKL D 1 04], there is a robust tradition of picture books intended to reassure new family members that they are welcome and loved. In this variation, though, the tender affirmations are paired with gentle reminders of social responsibility. "Because of you," Hennessy writes, "there is one more person who will grow and learn," but also "one more person who can teach others"; "there is one more person who needs help and one more person who can help others." In an empowering conclusion, Hennessy widens the child's sphere of influence, seeing the "small and precious" acts at home as the first step toward world peace--an ambitious goal made less daunting by Nakata's billowy, cotton candy-hued watercolors of smiling characters exchanging gestures of help and affection. This balanced offering slots smoothly into a niche recently made roomier by the character education programs under way in many public schools. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Publisher
With gentle, joyful illustrations, this celebration of potential in each person illuminates the simple ways the world can be a better place -- because of you. The author and illustrator of MY BOOK OF THANKS reunite to show, through everyday examples, how acts of kindness, understanding, and generosity -- no matter how small -- can make all the difference in the world.

Customer Reviews

A treasure for your child's library
As an elementary school teacher & mother of two small girls, whose passion is reading, I am always on the lookout for great children's books.

I first found out about this beautiful book when it was highly recommended by a children's book review site.

After reading it, I could not agree more. The watercolor illustrations, done by Nakata, are adorable and children are easily drawn to them. They really complement the text, which is where the real treasure lies.

What a wonderful, enduring message to reach little hearts! It shows how one small person can make a difference while teaching valuable life lessons. For example, Hennessy writes,

"Because of you, there is one more person to share with. And there is one more person who can share feelings and ideas, as well as things....one more person who can help others... When you help, care, share, & listen, you are being kind. When two people help, care, share, and listen to each other, they are friends."

The whole book is a gem, and I recommend it for children of all ages. It is definitely part of our collection.

Someone small...but a piece of it all.
How small and powerless our children must feel sometimes. This book simply and beautifully conveys the message that each person, no matter how small, does indeed matter as an individual and as part of the whole. It also incorporates the concept of inter-relatedness with others, such as:

"Because of you, there is one more person who will grow and learn and one more person who can teach others," and

"Because of you, there is one more person who needs help
and one more person who can help others."

It ends wonderfully: "Even something as big and important as peace begins with something small and precious. It might begin...because of you."

After I read this aloud to my 5-yr old he was full of hugs and cuddles. He seemed to have gotten a genuine feeling of love and self-appreciation from the book.

Simply lovely and utterly important message for our children to receive.

For more on this concept see "Horton Hears a Who" by Dr. Seuss, the poem "Who Am I?" by Felice Holman (from which I borrowed my title).

A message for all humans
I know this book is for kids, but I received it as a grownup's gift and was in tears before I got to the third page. The message this book imparts gives a gentle reminder that we all bring something to the world and our very existence is something to be treasured. It also reminds the reader that we have the potential to bring positive action to our world and the people in it. These are valuable thoughts for readers of any age. It's the core message of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" but in a far more accessible story.

The next time I'm having a bad day or I feel discouraged about my life, I will turn to this little book with a very profound message and read it again and again.

This a keeper--for life.