Thank You, Omu!

Title: Thank You, Omu!

Author/Illustrator: Oge Mora

Genre: Multicultural

Awards: Caldecott Honor

Age Group: Pre-K—2nd

Thank You, Omu! tells the story of a woman, Omu, who has a pot of delicious, simmering red stew in her home. Its aroma wafts throughout the town, bringing various people to her door wanting a taste of her stew. Omu does not turn any of them down, but sends them with some of her delectable stew. By the end of the day, she realizes she has no stew left for her own supper. Sad, Omu hears another knock. Everyone that she had given stew to was at the door! They had each brought her something to eat, and the little boy brought her a thank you note. Omu's heart was full and she was happy!

I would use this book in my classroom for sure! It is based on the author's grandmother, who would often make large pots of stew and invite anyone who wanted to stay. "Omu" means "queen" in Nigerian, and that is what Oge Mora, the author, called her grandmother. This book is very sweet, and it sends the positive message of how community members give to each other and are like a wonderful support system.

This book would be perfect for Pre-K through 2nd grade! The story is very repetitive, which is ideal for younger readers. The illustrations are also very unique and engaging, as they are created in a collage style. This book will share with students the true reward of giving to others.

To go along with Thank You, Omu!, I would have students write a thank you note to someone that they are grateful for, whether a family member, friend, neighbor, or teacher. For younger students, it would be fun to recreate the pot of stew! Instead of stew, though, the pot would be full of letters! Students could either take turns pulling out a letter and identifying its name and sound, or each student could pull out a handful of letters and try to make a word using the letters they got.