Thank You

The Jewish ritual of reciting the daily morning prayer called “Modeh Ani” is explored for all children as a mindful way to begin each day. The Hebrew phrase modeh ani translates to “I am grateful.” Solomon takes this concept and applies it to how we can begin each day with gratitude for our health, our strength, and our bodies. “Thank you for this brand-new day. / My whole body is grateful.” Without reference to a deity, children are encouraged to pay attention to parts of their bodies with a simple thank you. “Thank you for my toes that tap. My feet at that point.” Each body part is assigned a function or movement, building until kids are happily jumping and dancing across the pages. With a nod to mindfulness, Solomon reminds kids to thank their breath that “goes in and out” and their heart that “beats fast and slow,” making their “whole body…ready for this bright new day.” Collage art presents a delighted group across all races and includes a Muslim girl in a hijab sitting side by side with a Jewish boy in a kippah as well as a brown-skinned, black-haired child in a wheelchair. Several illustrations show the Hebrew lettering for the phrase modeh ani.  A positive, conscious approach to a stress-free morning routine before the day ahead. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6) --KIRKUS REVIEWS It’s hard to keep still while reading Rabbi Alyson Solomon’s Thank You, Modeh Ani. This is definitely a book that should be read aloud, with plenty of wiggle room for the child readers to stand, dance, and clap along with the narrative. Solomon’s book is a fine interpretation of Modeh Ani and Asher Yatzar, two prayers that are said upon waking up, that understands the physicality of these prayers that celebrate all the things that the human body can do. A note at the end further explains the prayers and their context and how the reader can incorporate them into their day. Bryony Taylor’s collage illustrations are lovely and lively and are fully in keeping with the call of the text to wake up and move. Taylor brings all kinds of diversity that are not specified in the narrative, including the differently abled, differences in age, race, body type, religious expression, and even a rainbow or two. An added bonus is the extremely exuberant dog that the child reader can follow through the narrative. The book is centered around the specific prayer of Modeh Ani, but the positive approach to the Jewish content can work to expand the ideas presented outside of purely a religious context. It is appropriate to the target audience of K-1 in style and format, but this sweet book may be even more appealing to preschool age children who can appreciate the need to start every day by getting up and dancing. --DENA BACH for SYDNEY TAYLOR SCHMOOZE It’s a new day, and the children are very excited. Each morning we must take the time to acknowledge the miracle of waking up and thank God for all that we are able to do. This simple, bold, lively book reminds us that each day is a gift during which we can breathe, move, share, and experience the opportunity to live our lives to their fullest. Modeh Ani is a Hebrew phrase meaning “I give thanks” and is part of a short prayer which we recite upon waking each day. In this book, children recognize their various body parts and how they come together to create each individual while enabling us to function on various levels physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They jump, sing, dance, and play through their gratitude and excitement. The colorful, light illustrations include children of all types with distinct differences in age, race, body type, and religious expression, and also include an adorable, lively dog that joins in the fun. The constant movement and joy portray the exhilaration that each day brings as we are given a new chance to strive even higher, accomplish more, and appreciate the exciting world in which we live. --Rachel Glasser, Association of Jewish Libraries