MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Thank You, Omu! + *Pot of Gratitude* Craftivity

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a read aloud that shares the joys of selflessness, giving, and community building, featured in MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of *Thank You, Omu!* to add to your own home/classroom library! (This is an affiliate link~ 5% of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)~*

Book Synopsis and Review

Omu is stirring up a big pot of delicious, fragrant stew for dinner. As she gives her stew a final whirl with her mixing spoon, she settles down to read her book while she waits for dinnertime. Meanwhile, the delectable scent of the stew wafts through the door and out the windows, enticing passersby to knock on Omu’s door, mouth watering and curious about what could possibly be the source of such deliciousness. Omu, a kind and generous grandma, of course offers a bowl of stew to the friendly visitors. From the little young boy in the apartment room next door, to the hotdog vendor on the streets, and even the mayor~ Omu feeds every friend who comes knocking on her door. Until come dinner time, when Omu prepares to ladle herself a steaming bowl of stew, she comes to find an empty pot~ emptied by the hungry bellies she generously fed throughout the day. Omu is feeling a bit glum at the prospect of no savory stew, when there’s another knock at the door….who could it be?? As Omu will soon find out, give with a kind heart, and you will be rewarded with kindness and generosity in return.

This is a beautiful story about the joys that come from generosity and giving. Perfect for this holiday season of focusing on gratitude and giving to others, this tale of Omu highlights a loving spirit who cares for all who come to her door~ a woman who cares and gives to others to the extent that she may not even have enough to give herself in the end. But readers will realize, that when you give unconditionally to others, others will come back to give to you in return~ Omu models giving from the heart, with no strings attached, and the friends she feeds are an example of the joys thankfulness and gratitude bring to others and yourself. Building a community takes kindness and love. Omu builds a community by giving and sharing what she has with others~ and in return she is blessed with the love and appreciation of dear friends. Omu will show us that we are better together, and pure joy comes from laughter and love with those you care about.

Vocabulary

  • Seasoned (p. 2) added ingredients, like herbs or salt or pepper, to something you are cooking to make it taste better
  • Scrumptious (p. 4) delicious, yummy, super tasty!
  • Scent (p. 4) a very good smell
  • Wafted (p. 4) floated through the air
  • Delectable (p. 17) delicious, yummy, super tasty!

Themes/ Main Ideas

  • The Power of Generosity: Give unconditionally to those around you, especially to loved ones and friends. True kindness and caring is sharing with others without expecting anything in return~ their happiness is what brings you joy.
  • Strength in Community: We are better together. Connect with family and friends. Give to your loved ones and share who and what you are thankful for with others. A community of gratitude and generosity nurtures love, laughter, and a joyous life.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Thank You, Omu!” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*Pot of Gratitude* Craftivity

It’s easy to take things, and people, for granted~ to forget how special you, those around you, and the life you’ve built really are. Each year I determine to be more mindful, of myself and what I need, but also especially of the people around me who help bring me a life of stability, happiness, and love~ my own little community of people whom, admittedly, I sometimes take for granted. But really, it’s with them whom I should be sharing gratitude and love with everyday. When life gets super busy~ with work, extracurriculars, day-to-day chores and activities~ sometimes it seems to me as if there is little time to pause and take those moments with a loved one- but how can there not be enough time to express caring and love? Whether it’s through words, gifts, a hug, or a few moments to just relax in each other’s company, showing I am aware and thankful for my loved ones’ presence will only strengthen the community I am working to create and nourish around me. With mai littles at school, everyday we work on creating a community~ especially through using kind words, but through our actions as well. This month, as we focus on what we are grateful for, I encourage them to find what they are thankful for in each other. Sharing feelings of gratitude and appreciation will bring us closer together~ help us establish a classroom community of givers and sharers. This week’s MaiStoryBook read aloud and craft would be the perfect way to launch this theme and mindset of thankfulness. If you are looking for a way to help your own littles share gratitude in a meaningful way with a love one, check out this week’s *Pot of Gratitude* Craftivity below!

Materials

Directions

  • For the black and white pot, color it in, or glue small scraps of paper onto the pot to imitate the paper-art style of the book illustrations.
  • On the line, write the name of someone you want to thank.
  • Choose a ”wafting scent” page to fill out. There are 4 different options with a gray border, or plain black and white border. Options include: writing prompt and picture space, writing prompt and lines to write, blank lines to write, blank space for picture or your own writing.
  • Fill in the “wafting scent page” and cut it out. **Keep the top and bottom tabs on**
  • Fold the wafting scent page on the lines: 3 lines = 3 folds.
  • Fold the top section down, and then ”accordion fold” the rest. 
  • To connect, the “wafting scent” to the pot. Fold the top tab back, and tape the top tab to the back of the bottom of the lid. 
  • Fold the bottom tab back. Then tape/glue the tab to the back of the top of the pot.
  • The “Wafting scent” should fold together to close the lid onto the pot, and then unfold to show all 4 sections when the lid is lifted.

Optional Faces/Heads:

  • Create smiling faces over your pot, of you and your loved one you are thankful for. 
  • You can print out the heads include in the template. They’re shape features imitate the paper cut out shapes of the characters in the books. Color, use scrap paper to add hair, and then glue to the back of the lid so the two heads are smiling above the pot.
  • Or create your own heads with construction/scrap paper to imitate the paper-art style of the illustrations. 
  • Cut out 2 circles for the heads, Cut out eyes, nose, and a mouth shapes and glue them on, or draw them on.
  • Choose patterned paper and cut out hair that matches yours and your loved one’s.
  • Glue or tape the bottom of the heads to the back of the lid so they are peering over the pot. 

Enjoy Your *Pot of Gratitude* Craftivity!

  • Share and gift your *Pot of Gratitude* to your loved one, and bring joy to their day by sharing this act of giving and caring
  • Create a *Pot of Gratitude* for yourself, that reminds you of all the people and things you are thankful for.
  • Use your *Pot of Gratitude* as a reading buddy, and fit the lid overtime the *scent wafts out the door* in the read aloud.
  • Encourage your family and friends to make *Pots of Gratitude* to share with someone they are thankful for
  • Gather friends and family together for a feast and write them thank-you notes or make them *Pots of Gratitude* to show your thanks and love for them

*~Overall, cherish and enjoy some time with loved ones this Thanksgiving season, and share your love with someone special with a *Pot of Gratitude* Craftivity and *Thank You, Omu!* read aloud. I hope you and your little ones have a holiday season full of laughter, family, friends, and community!  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary, Twitter @MaiStoryBook  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Pot of Gratitude* Crafts, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*