Thank You, Mr. Falker

This story is a toching story of a girl with a learning problem and the teacher who found a way to help her. For educators it is a reminder of the lifelong impact they can have on the lives of their students. For childrenit teaches that everyone learns in a different way and at their own pace. It touches on bullying and shows that what we say to others can have deep impact on their life. For a child that may be having a difficult time learning it gives a message of hope and that they may be "normal" after all. The illustrations are beautiful and convey what is going on in Trisha's head very well. A valuable read for anyone.

One of the most touching children's books I've read in recent memory, this autobiographical story by the great Patricia Polacco tells how "Tricia" overcame her reading problems with the help of a compassionate teacher. Polacco's story evokes the attendant feelings of inferiority and isolations, as well as her grateful joy upon finally reading an entire paragraph. The story opens with a family ritual later expanded into a full story in Polacco's "The Bee Tree": Her grandfather drizzles some honey on a book cover and tells her "knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book."Polacco draws in her trademark big loopy style; her palette and composition superbly capture emotion, particularly in the close-ups. She can convey a range of feelings simply by how she places color on a person's face. She's one of the most original and recognizable illustrators around. One of the most heartfelt and moving books you'll find in children's literature.

I applaud Patricia Polacco for her outstanding book, Thank You, Mr. Falker. She tells a story that happened to her as a little girl which will encourage children everywhere who are learning to read or struggling with the idea. When I read this story to my eight year old nephew he smiled and said, "maybe I will learn to read better." The main character of this book, Trisha, goes through something that many young children go through. They will be able to relate to the situation and maybe learn from her. Learning to read is quite a task to master, especially if you have a learning disability like the author of this book did. When little Trisha was in fifth grade she had a teacher, Mr. Falker, who opened up the word of reading to her. He set out to prove to her that she can and will read. He works with her for weeks and one day she does just that. This story will encourage children. I wish I had a book like this when I was struggling to help regain my confidence. It also inspires me to thank the teacher that made a huge impact in my life. Patricia used folk art style in her pictures. They are very detailed and colorful and fit the text very will. The pictures will really jump out to readers and entertain their imagination. Thank You, Mr. Falker is a wonderful book. I recommend this to any child that is beginning to learn to read. I hope teachers will make sure that kids hear this encouraging story about a "real live author." They will be able to relate, learn, and gain confidence from the story.

Patricia Polacco bases this story on her own experiences as a child. She uses the story in this beautiful book to thank her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. In the book, Tricia, who has a yearning to learn to read because of her family's love of learning, discovers that letters in books seem to be all just wiggling shapes. As Tricia moves through school, students call her dumb. She sadly begins to except their teasing and begins to believe she truly is dumb; until, Fifth Grade when she is blessed with an outstanding teacher, Mr. Falker. Every classroom should not only have this book, it should be read aloud. Without saying the word "dyslexia" or preaching, Polacco has produced a wonderfully compassionate story.

Even though Thank You, Mr. Falker is a children's book, it is one of the most incredible and profound books I have ever read. It is a "must-read" for every child and teacher, whether new or experienced. The text and the picture blend so perfectly together, just like all picture books should. The pictures portray the feelings of a little girl who is obviously alone and so in need of love and recognition. I introduced Thank You, Mr. Falker to my principal, assistant principal,and instructional facilitator(IF) the Monday morning after I had read it. They all loved it as much as I did. (Our assistant principal even left a note on the front of the book, stating her review: "WOW". Our IF was about to instruct the teachers in our school on differentiating instruction; she thought this book would demonstrate that topic very well. I asked her if I could read the book to them at each of their grade-level meetings. Many tears were shed as we shared this special story. This story may help teachers to realize how important they can be in the life of every student who walks through the doors of their classroom. We may never know what impact our interactions with a child will have on a "Patricia Polacco" in-the-making.I am glad Thank You, Mr. Falker has been nominated for South Carolina Children's Book of the Year for 2000-2001. I predict the children of SC will love it as much as our teachers did.

As I slowly read through the pages of this wonderful book, I was touched. I found myself making connections to the young girl and her struggles. I understand what it means to be a struggling reader. I remembered a special teacher who made a difference in my life and helped me to read. As a teacher, I read the book to my class. At the end, my second and third graders had a lot to say! They connected with the character and her struggles too. We shared our own struggles with life. Their struggles ranged from reading and learning to play a new sport to relationships and friendships. The students had made connections. As a techer, I want all my students to make real connections to books, find passion in reading, and treat others kindly. This book really helped my students to see the importance of all these things in a very real way!