Lessons in Life (Picture Books for Children)

Recently I was talking to another mother who said that she wanted her children to learn to be grateful people. Unfortunately, at the time of our conversation, I had yet to read Gracias / Thanks which is all about that very thing! A bilingual book, author Pat Mora lists various things one could be grateful for, such as friends, NOT being stung by some bees, for chocolate (I hear you!) and for his mother who helped him find some lost homework. At the conclusion of the book, Mora encourages young readers to think about things that they themselves might be grateful for. This is a great book for getting one to think about thankfulness and for counting one’s blessings. At the same time, it lacks direction as to where such gratefulness is to be directed. Basically it’s a “shout up at the sky” type of feeling. This book is definitely useful from a neutral perspective and I like the fact that each page contains both Spanish and English so that children can more easily learn the opposing language. The illustrations by John Parra are unique and fun. Gracias / Thanks is a different sort of book and sometimes different is the most fun!

Now, I absolutely adored the book Up the Learning Tree. The story is written by Marcia Vaughan and is about a young slave boy name Henry Bell. Bell’s master has threatened to chop off the fingers of any slave who attempts to learn how to read and Bell takes this threat to heart. However, one day his mistress calls him over and requires him to begin walking Little Master Simon to and from school everyday. Henry begins to fulfill his responsibility and, thanks to sycamore tree located right next to one of the school house windows, Henry begins to listen to the teacher’s instructions and begins to learn how to spell.

Not long after, the teacher notices Henry and offers to give him reading lessons. Her job and reputation is a stake but she sacrifices so that young Henry will be given an opportunity to learn to read and to learn. This is a beautiful book of sacrifice, courage and friendship. I have no qualms or hesitations in recommending it. I thought it was marvelously well done and enjoyed it very much. If you come across a copy of Up the Learning Tree, snatch it up!

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.