Ten Thank-You Letters

September 15, 2014
Before Pig can play with his pal Rabbit, he wants to finish his thank-you letter. But will his friend give him that chance? When Rabbit learns that Pig is writing his grandmother to thank her for the birthday sweater he is proudly sporting, Rabbit immediately wants to thank his grandma too. (If you give a rabbit a piece of paper and a pencil....) In no time, he has dashed off a quick letter thanking her for the cake she always bakes for his birthday. Are you done yet, Pig? But no, Pig is telling his grandma about the weather, which sparks another letter-writing flurry in the excitable Rabbit-this time to the president for doing a great job. Similarly, he's inspired to write to seven other community helpers (including his crossing guard, Mrs. Chicken!). So, he's off to the mailbox, finally leaving his exasperated friend in peace. But Rabbit's used all his envelopes and stamps! Readers will empathize with Pig, whose frustrations are written right across his face. Luckily, a final thank-you letter from Rabbit comes with a resupply. The final page shows Pig's letter in his happy grandmother's trotters, so readers can see a splendid example of a well-written thank-you letter. Here's hoping Pig's refreshingly eager attitude about writing thank-you letters will rub off.Inspirational examples abound in both giving thanks and sharing. (Picture book. 4-8)

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November 1, 2014
Preschool-G This pleasant follow-up to Ten Things I Love about You (2012) again features Pig and Rabbit learning another sweet lesson in thoughtfulness. In this story, Pig works hard on a letter to his grandmother; Rabbit wants to play with Pig but decides to write a thank-you letter of his own while he is waiting. Kirk's neo-retro illustrations capture the good feelings and slight annoyance between these two pals, both dressed like ordinary American kids. As it happens, Rabbit writes 10 letters by the time Pig completes his single missive, but all is well when Rabbit comes over to replenish Pig's supply of envelopes and stamps. He even has a thank-you note for Pig. Kirk's upbeat story is told through dialogue and letters, and his expert combination of old techniques (drawing with ink, painting plywood panels) with new ones (adding colors and textures with Photoshop) nicely highlights the perpetual value of appreciation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)