Because I Had a Teacher — New York Times best seller
Brand: Compendium Publishing & Communications
Categories: Books, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life


COMPENDIUM

Grade level: Preschool - 3
Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 7 inches
Reading age: 3+ years, from customers
ISBN-13: 978-1943200085
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1943200084
Publisher: Compendium
Print length: 40 pages
Publication date: March 1, 2017
subtitle: Hardcover – Picture Book, March 1, 2017
author: Visit Amazon's Kobi Yamada Page search results Kobi Yamada Natalie Russell
review: Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal Gr 1–5—A young bear reflects on all of the things he has learned and can do because he had a great teacher. Russell's watercolor and pencil illustrations walk through different academic subjects and outside activities, with one idea per spread, as the little bear tells of each lesson learned. There are some nice artwork touches, like the bear holding a globe balloon and molecules that look like soccer balls. However, some of the lessons are difficult; some are abstract concepts that would be hard for a child as young as the bear appears to be to articulate: "Some of the most important things are said without words" and "some of the hardest things for me to do make me feel proudest." VERDICT More a celebration of teachers than a story, this would be most enjoyed as a gift for a special teacher or mentor.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA Review A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere. This gentle ode to a teacher's skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child's viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can't look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who's already grown. Alternatively, readers won't fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren't parents and other close family members children's first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who's developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor. A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-100) --Kirkus Reviews About the Author Kobi Yamada is a New York Times best-selling author and the creator of many inspiring gift books as well as the president of Compendium, a company of amazing people doing amazing things. He happily lives with the love of his life and their two super fun kids in the land of flying salmon where he gets to believe in his ideas all day long. He thinks he just might be the luckiest person on the planet. Read more