Review by Booklist Review
Grace is so excited for her birthday party, and before long it has come and gone. But Grace still has work to do. She gets out paper and her new pens and pencils and begins writing thank-you notes for all her presents, even the ones that weren't exactly what she wanted. Cabrera mixes Grace's own childlike handwriting and drawings with the book's sweetly simple illustrations to charming effect. After Grace has thanked her family and friends who attended her party, she starts writing thank-you letters to everyone in town. Perhaps she gets a little carried away when she leaves one for the sky, thanking it for being blue, but her letter-writing campaign demonstrates the positive impact that showing appreciation for others can have. The love Grace puts into her neighborhood comes back in the form of letters for the little girl that express their own lovely thoughts. This cute, over-the-top story would make a great segue into lessons on letter writing or good manners.--Julia Smith Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--It's Grace's birthday and she celebrates it on a gorgeous day with a costume party, complete with games, treats, and presents. The next day, Grace is eager to express her gratitude with a series of handwritten thank you notes for all of the gifts she's received. However, Grace does not stop there. She writes thank you notes to her cat, objects in nature, and people in the community as well. Grace's notes appear all over town, touching people's hearts and brightening their days. Soon, Grace receives the very best gift of all--love notes from all those who were touched by her missives. This beautifully illustrated picture book for young children is a great lesson in communicating appreciation and gratitude. The illustrations, created with acrylic paint and collage, predominantly display Grace's handwritten notes on notebook paper surrounded by the objects and people of Grace's affection. The bold use of color is alluring and the overall feel of the book is one of great joy. The text is descriptive and uncomplicated and the story moves at an energetic pace that will keep young readers engaged until the very end. VERDICT A love story about kindness and gratitude that serves as a good reminder for the young and the young-at-heart.--Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Young Grace gives and then receives letters of love and gratitude.After an exuberant birthday party filled with diverse kids in elaborate costumes, Grace sits down to write thank-you letters for her gifts, depicted in Cabrera's trademark, childlike style. There's always a bit of dissonance when an adult approximates children's art, but these are reasonable, not-too-cloying facsimiles. Grace's messages are just right, especially when acknowledging that while a gift might not have been perfect (she receives a toy dog rather than a living pup; gloves are too large), she's thankful nonetheless. Upon finishing, she carries on, sending gratitude to teachers, pets, and members of her diverse community. (Grace herself has light skin and straight, dark hair.) Cabrera's books tend to feel satisfyingly cohesive, and this is no exception. Grace returns home to dozens of love letters sent back to her pinned inside her brand-new play tent, and the whole thing cozily wraps with Grace holding a metafictive sign thanking the readers of this book. At times, the book tries too hard to be positivewhere's the whining about completing what many children regard as a chore?and Grace's ever present grin and dotted pink cheeks make her appear excessively dolllike, even cutesy. But the animated art style, with deeply textured acrylic colors in invitingly warm colors and cheery scrapbook paper collage, buoys the effort.It's sentimental to be sure, but who can't use a gentle nudge to remember manners? (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
