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Thank You for Me!
I have two feet that dart, that dash, that sprint, that splash. Thank you for my feet. In this lyrical text, a young child lists body parts from nose to toes, giving thanks for each along the way. Cherished author Marion Dane Bauer’s bouncy rhymes are wonderful for reading aloud, and Kristina Stephenson’s soft illustrations highlight what’s special in the everyday. A subtle reminder of our deepest core values, Thank You for Me! is a delightful celebration of gratitude that belongs on every bookshelf.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
47 people want to read
About the author
Marion Dane Bauer
180 books186 followersMarion Dane Bauer is the author of more than one hundred books for young people, ranging from novelty and picture books through early readers, both fiction and nonfiction, books on writing, and middle-grade and young-adult novels. She has won numerous awards, including several Minnesota Book Awards, a Jane Addams Peace Association Award for RAIN OF FIRE, an American Library Association Newbery Honor Award for ON MY HONOR, a number of state children's choice awards and the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for the body of her work.
She is also the editor of and a contributor to the ground-breaking collection of gay and lesbian short stories, Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence.
Marion was one of the founding faculty and the first Faculty Chair for the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her writing guide, the American Library Association Notable WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION, is used by writers of all ages. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages.
She has six grandchildren and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her partner and a cavalier King Charles spaniel, Dawn.
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INTERVIEW WITH MARION DANE BAUER
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Q. What brought you to a career as a writer?
A. I seem to have been born with my head full of stories. For almost as far back as I can remember, I used most of my unoccupied moments--even in school when I was supposed to be doing other "more important" things--to make up stories in my head. I sometimes got a notation on my report card that said, "Marion dreams." It was not a compliment. But while the stories I wove occupied my mind in a very satisfying way, they were so complex that I never thought of trying to write them down. I wouldn't have known where to begin. So though I did all kinds of writing through my teen and early adult years--letters, journals, essays, poetry--I didn't begin to gather the craft I needed to write stories until I was in my early thirties. That was also when my last excuse for not taking the time to sit down to do the writing I'd so long wanted to do started first grade.
Q. And why write for young people?
A. Because I get my creative energy in examining young lives, young issues. Most people, when they enter adulthood, leave childhood behind, by which I mean that they forget most of what they know about themselves as children. Of course, the ghosts of childhood still inhabit them, but they deal with them in other forms--problems with parental authority turn into problems with bosses, for instance--and don't keep reaching back to the original source to try to fix it, to make everything come out differently than it did the first time. Most children's writers, I suspect, are fixers. We return, again and again, usually under the cover of made-up characters, to work things through. I don't know that our childhoods are necessarily more painful than most. Every childhood has pain it, because life has pain in it at every stage. The difference is that we are compelled to keep returning to the source.
Q. You write for a wide range of ages. Do you write from a different place in writing for preschoolers than for young adolescents?
A. In a picture book or board book, I'm always writing from the womb of the family, a place that--while it might be intruded upon by fears, for instance--is still, ultimately, safe and nurturing. That's what my own early childhood was like, so it's easy for me to return to those feelings and to recreate them.
When I write for older readers, I'm writing from a very different experience. My early adolescence, especially, was a time of deep alienation, mostly from my peers but in some ways from my family as well. And so I write my older stories out of that pain, that longing for connection. A story has to have a problem at its core. No struggle
She is also the editor of and a contributor to the ground-breaking collection of gay and lesbian short stories, Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence.
Marion was one of the founding faculty and the first Faculty Chair for the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her writing guide, the American Library Association Notable WHAT'S YOUR STORY? A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION, is used by writers of all ages. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages.
She has six grandchildren and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her partner and a cavalier King Charles spaniel, Dawn.
-------------------------------------
INTERVIEW WITH MARION DANE BAUER
-------------------------------------
Q. What brought you to a career as a writer?
A. I seem to have been born with my head full of stories. For almost as far back as I can remember, I used most of my unoccupied moments--even in school when I was supposed to be doing other "more important" things--to make up stories in my head. I sometimes got a notation on my report card that said, "Marion dreams." It was not a compliment. But while the stories I wove occupied my mind in a very satisfying way, they were so complex that I never thought of trying to write them down. I wouldn't have known where to begin. So though I did all kinds of writing through my teen and early adult years--letters, journals, essays, poetry--I didn't begin to gather the craft I needed to write stories until I was in my early thirties. That was also when my last excuse for not taking the time to sit down to do the writing I'd so long wanted to do started first grade.
Q. And why write for young people?
A. Because I get my creative energy in examining young lives, young issues. Most people, when they enter adulthood, leave childhood behind, by which I mean that they forget most of what they know about themselves as children. Of course, the ghosts of childhood still inhabit them, but they deal with them in other forms--problems with parental authority turn into problems with bosses, for instance--and don't keep reaching back to the original source to try to fix it, to make everything come out differently than it did the first time. Most children's writers, I suspect, are fixers. We return, again and again, usually under the cover of made-up characters, to work things through. I don't know that our childhoods are necessarily more painful than most. Every childhood has pain it, because life has pain in it at every stage. The difference is that we are compelled to keep returning to the source.
Q. You write for a wide range of ages. Do you write from a different place in writing for preschoolers than for young adolescents?
A. In a picture book or board book, I'm always writing from the womb of the family, a place that--while it might be intruded upon by fears, for instance--is still, ultimately, safe and nurturing. That's what my own early childhood was like, so it's easy for me to return to those feelings and to recreate them.
When I write for older readers, I'm writing from a very different experience. My early adolescence, especially, was a time of deep alienation, mostly from my peers but in some ways from my family as well. And so I write my older stories out of that pain, that longing for connection. A story has to have a problem at its core. No struggle
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 8, 2010
There is a religious edge here that will make this something for the Sunday school set, but not for agnostic types like me. More importantly, I am not sure what Bauer was trying to do in the text. There is no rhyme pattern--some pages have verse, some are more prose like, and both are choppy. This would not read aloud well though the pictures are cute.
Instead of this,'d go with Bill Martin's Here Are My Hands or Judy Hindley's Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes, both of which have great illustrations, rhymes that are steady and WORK, and a chance for some kid action built in.
Instead of this,'d go with Bill Martin's Here Are My Hands or Judy Hindley's Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes, both of which have great illustrations, rhymes that are steady and WORK, and a chance for some kid action built in.
February 25, 2019
This book goes through different body parts and what they do. Unfortunately, near the end it mentions praying to give thanks for your body. I understand the connection between being thankful and prayer, but I feel a little uncomfortable using this book for storytime.
June 23, 2012
What about the kids who don't have all the body parts, are they to feel less special and thankful?
November 23, 2022
A simple book about the parts of you and being thankful for all they can do. Good repetition of all the body parts. Could also be one to pull out at Thanksgiving time to add in for things to be thankful for.
While I enjoyed the illustrations, I wasn't as fond of the text. There really isn't much of a rhyming scheme to the text (at least not as a whole - parts rhyme, but no overall smooth rhythm). Either make it rhyming or don't - this kinda fell between.
I'd say 2+ as an overall book: not bad and definitely has its good parts, but nothing that really grabbed me. Not really enough to round up to "Liked It 3 Stars."
A maybe/maybe not for storytime - depends on how religious your community it. There's a bit of a religious tone to it (specifically mentions prayer as a purpose of hands). Some might be less comfortable using it than in other communities. Or maybe just leave it as a Sunday School read instead of a public library storytime?
While I enjoyed the illustrations, I wasn't as fond of the text. There really isn't much of a rhyming scheme to the text (at least not as a whole - parts rhyme, but no overall smooth rhythm). Either make it rhyming or don't - this kinda fell between.
I'd say 2+ as an overall book: not bad and definitely has its good parts, but nothing that really grabbed me. Not really enough to round up to "Liked It 3 Stars."
A maybe/maybe not for storytime - depends on how religious your community it. There's a bit of a religious tone to it (specifically mentions prayer as a purpose of hands). Some might be less comfortable using it than in other communities. Or maybe just leave it as a Sunday School read instead of a public library storytime?
April 22, 2023
This book has cute illustrations, explores the names and functions of different body parts, and has a thankfulness message tied to prayer. I paper-clipped the pages about prayer together to read this at the public library, letting people interpret the thankfulness content however they wanted, and this worked well for the two storytimes I used it for. The text isn't amazing and sometimes has an inconsistent rhythm, but it's cute overall. I also made parts of it interactive with the kids when there were movements involved.
April 4, 2018
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Mildly Christian theme (some of the book is framed as a prayer). A nice way to talk about the different parts of our bodies and ways that we can use them.
Mildly Christian theme (some of the book is framed as a prayer). A nice way to talk about the different parts of our bodies and ways that we can use them.
September 14, 2023
It's not an amazing book, but it's simple and cute and would be decent for a storytime about body parts. However, there is a mentioning towards the end of "two hands to pray," so I would paperclip those pages together and skip that part if reading for library storytime.
December 15, 2017
I liked it, my daughter really liked it. She's really into "me" right now...
August 2, 2018
Learn our body parts. B
November 21, 2019
It was a good read.
November 8, 2022
Cute for preschoolers’ introduction to their wonderfully made body.
April 11, 2023
Just fine
August 18, 2015
I have two feet that dart, that dash, that sprint, that splash. Thank you for my feet. In this lyrical text, a young child lists body parts from nose to toes, giving thanks for each along the way. Cherished author Marion Dane Bauer's bouncy rhymes are wonderful for reading aloud, and Kristina Stephenson's soft illustrations highlight what's special in the everyday. A subtle reminder of our deepest core values, Thank You for Me! is a delightful celebration of gratitude that belongs on every bookshelf.
Subject:
Human body -- Juvenile fiction.
Gratitude in children -- Juvenile fiction.
Children -- Juvenile fiction.
Preschool children -- Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme
Subject:
Human body -- Juvenile fiction.
Gratitude in children -- Juvenile fiction.
Children -- Juvenile fiction.
Preschool children -- Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme
September 12, 2011
Traditional literature: Picture Books. Thank you for me! By Marion Dane Bauer. Copyright date 2010.
I read this to my six year old this evening. He wasn't too interested in it. I think this book would be great for preschool aged children. It has a cute little rhyme throughout the book. It talks about the main body parts; eyes, ears, nose, legs, hands and what they do for us. It gives little examples. Once it talks about all the parts, it then repeats to say thank you for all of these parts.
I read this to my six year old this evening. He wasn't too interested in it. I think this book would be great for preschool aged children. It has a cute little rhyme throughout the book. It talks about the main body parts; eyes, ears, nose, legs, hands and what they do for us. It gives little examples. Once it talks about all the parts, it then repeats to say thank you for all of these parts.
July 9, 2014
I enjoyed the religious theme to this book. We say prayers with our two year old before bed and there is a time when we ask him what he is thankful for. He usually lists his friends or something he has said a few days back. This book does a great job of showcasing ways in which you can be thankful. It is not focused on material things (as the title implies). It gives your child a true sense of being thankful for the gifts you have been given to you by God.
December 30, 2013
I did like this little book, though some of the rhyming was unnecessary or downright forced. Young children go over all the things they appreciate about themselves and their body. Thankful for eyes that see, and the THINGS they see. Thankful for life, really. A nice bedtime story to perhaps come before nighttime prayers.
October 28, 2015
Ashton picked this book on library day. It started out good as I began reading it. When it got to the part about the dad, it got emotional. We made it through the story. Overall the book is good. He held the book quietly after I read it then climbed off my lap and put it on the table and walked away...My heart broke and I talked to God on his behalf...
May 30, 2010
This is an interesting book to read aloud with children, probably most appropriate for ages 3-5. It has a simple, rhythmic narrative and cute watercolor illustrations. It is a celebration of our physical characteristics and the things that make each person who they are.
March 11, 2011
Another good book for pre-k students and younger children to talk about self image and their different body parts. This book give great examples of what each body part is used for. The teacher can even involve the students by asking them questions such as "what do you use your hands for?"
April 1, 2015
2.75 stars Not thrilled with this book. I like the premise...but it sounds like an Children's Sunday School Song I know. The rhyming pattern is off, awkward and in consistent...I guess if you are 2 you won't care but an adult who reads this wants to make things rhyme!
November 7, 2009
A good one for young kids - get them involved in reading and learn about where different body parts are and what they do.
July 8, 2010
Spirituality--A child is thankful for all the different parts of herself.
December 23, 2010
Young children enjoy life in this sweet book about how our bodies help us experience the world. Active verbs, alliteration, and simple rhymes beg to be read out loud.
January 21, 2011
Cute, fun read. Definitely one to own if you have little ones.
June 4, 2012
Cute, thoughtful, and somewhat poetic ode to a child's body and all the things children can do. Our 2 year old especially loves it right now.
January 17, 2015
Would use this for a storytime, except for the slight religious aspect.
September 19, 2013
For younger readers, rhyming words tell body parts and what they are used for along with all the special things a kid can do. Cute!
November 6, 2013
Great book - easy to relate to - all about being grateful for our amazing bodies. Love it for a focus on gratitude or bodies. Or just for an every day read.
November 24, 2015
This is a cute book, and the premise is great, especially around this time of the year. The text, however, is a bit awkward for reading out loud.
July 20, 2010
gratitude, human body, possible storytime
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews