From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 6 - Thomas brings together children's book authors and illustrators, actors, musicians, and others to celebrate the kindness of others and the joys of giving. Paul Newman shares a poem written by his uncle, Wendy Wasserstein and her daughter present a mini-play, the Bacon Brothers (Kevin and Michael) contribute a song, and Thomas has a chat with Bert and Ernie. Other contributors include Tiger Woods, Whoopi Goldberg, Avi, Maurice Sendak, Jerry Pinkney, Kate DiCamillo, Walter Dean Myers, David Shannon, Jon Scieszka, and Lane Smith. A fair sprinkling of Sesame Street creators rounds out the list of credits. The selections include poems, stories, songs, scripts, and memoirs that all speak to the themes of giving, sharing, receiving, and being thankful. Page turns are not always well planned; sometimes a two-page song or story includes a turn in the middle while there is a single-page entry opposite one of those pages. Parents may want to use this anthology to introduce the ideas of altruism and philanthropy. A pleasant enough offering for most collections. - Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. Thomas has assembled a list of luminaries to write (or draw) about the title theme, including the biggest names in children's literature--among them, Avi, Kate DiCamillo, and Eric Carle--as well as stars from the entertainment world, such as Ray Romano, Mel Brooks, and Paul Newman. As in any anthologies, the quality varies from piece to piece. The best are quite memorable. Maurice Sendak's "Give and Take," featuring his signature monster, is a wordless tribute to sharing, as is Mo Willems' cartoon about a dog and squirrel making sure neither is hungry. Deepak Chopra writes poignantly about his daughter carrying on a family tradition of feeding the hungry. Some writers, such as Wendy Wasserstein, write right over kids' heads to adult readers. Despite the unevenness, this is an exceedingly handsome book with enough stories, songs, poems, and beautifully reproduced art to make it a worthy purchase--especially since the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Did you ever dream of talking to a mermaid? Can you imagine facing off with a bully who barely reaches your knees? What would you do with a box of golden coins? Have you ever said thank you to...a button? And how would you respond if you met a magic genie who asked you for a handout instead of granting you a wish? Free to Be...You and Me creator Marlo Thomas has once again produced a joyful volume for children and the grown-ups in their lives. Reaching into the heads and hearts of our most acclaimed writers, artists, and performers, Thanks & Giving celebrates the best things in life -- family, friendship, giving, thankfulness, and love (and just for fun, a few of their opposites -- stinginess, bullying, ingratitude, and the occasional urge to stamp your feet and throw a fit). From Tiger Woods and Maurice Sendak to Hilary Duff and Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, this colorful collection of stories, poems, and songs will take readers on a lighthearted and thoughtful (but never overserious) adventure. Whether you're gazing at the brilliant child's-eye paintings of illustrator Eric Carle, or laughing out loud at the off-the-wall humor of Mel Brooks, you'll enjoy every step of the magical journey that the creators of Thanks & Giving have planned for you: •ÿDelight in Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's fractured fable starring a mouse, a bird, and a sausage who learn all about sharing -- the hard way. •ÿHold on tight as Rosie Perez recounts the tale of a little girl confronted with a heart-stopping decision. •ÿRock along with Kevin and Michael Bacon's funky valentine to sibling rivalry and brotherly love. •ÿAnd laugh with Ray Romano as he reveals how his life was changed by a giant burrito. Designed for both cover-to-cover reading and selective excerpting (when you can't refuse that last impassioned call for "One more story!" just before lights-out), this sparkling anthology also includes marvelous contributions from Avi, Shel Silverstein, Tom Chapin, Arthur creator Marc Brown, Matt Groening, Deepak Chopra, Donald Trump, Frankie Muniz, Walter Dean Myers, Paul Newman, Sumner Redstone, Jerry Pinkney, Whoopi Goldberg, Sonia Manzano, the Sesame Street Muppets, Julianne Moore, Ed Koren, Wendy Wasserstein, and Paul O. Zelinsky.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Actor Marlo Thomas, creator of the 1970s hit Free to Be...You and Me, returns with a bang in this star-studded collection of stories, poems, and written music about helping others and appreciating what we have. Donating all proceeds to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Thomas brings together top celebs from all avenues of entertainment -- including children's book team Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, Maurice Sendak, actor Julianne Moore, and comedian Ray Romano -- for a lighthearted, diverse book that reminds us that "thanksgiving" is more than one day a year. From Bruce Hart and Christopher Cerf's song "An Attitude of Gratitude" to Whoopi Goldberg's short story "Christmas and My Magic Mom," Thanks and Giving delivers something for every taste while packing an important message throughout. With a "Read Me First" introduction by Thomas and a lengthy section of short bios on the book's many contributors, this volume is a pure treat that's worth its weight in gold.

ANNOTATION

Be sure to check out the Thanks & Giving All Year Long companion cd!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Free to Be...You and Me creator Marlo Thomas has once again produced a joyful volume for children and the grown-ups in their lives. Reaching into the heads and hearts of our most acclaimed writers, artists and performers, Thanks & Giving celebrates the best things in life -- family, friendship, giving, thankfulness and love (and just for fun, a few of their opposites -- stinginess, bullying, ingratitude, and the occasional urge to stamp your feet and throw a fit).

From Tiger Woods and Maurice Sendak to Hilary Duff and Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, this colorful collection of stories, poems and songs will take readers on a light-hearted and thoughtful (but never over-serious) adventure. Whether in the brilliant child's-eye paintings of illustrator Eric Carle, or the off-the-wall humor of Mel Brooks, the creators of Thanks & Giving invite you to read aloud or sing along as you journey from one magical moment to the next.

Designed for both cover-to-cover reading and selective excerpting (when you can't refuse that last impassioned call for "One more story!" just before lights out), this sparkling anthology also includes marvelous contributions from Avi, Shel Silverstein, Arthur creator Marc Brown, Matt Groening, Deepak Chopra, Donald Trump, Frankie Muniz, Tom Chapin, Walter Dean Myers, Paul Newman, Jerry Pinkney, Whoopi Goldberg, Sumner Redstone, the Sesame Street Muppets, Julianne Moore, Ed Koren, Wendy Wasserstein, and Paul O. Zelinsky.

Marlo Thomas and Friends are contributing all royalties from Thanks and Giving All Year Long to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by Ms. Thomas's father, Danny Thomas, in 1962.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Thomas (Free to Be, You and Me) and Cerf gather the work of more than 80 individuals who contribute words, music or art to this energetic, eclectic anthology, all royalties from which will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Recurrent themes in these pieces-which range in mood from jocular to contemplative-include being a good friend, reaching out to those less fortunate and appreciating one's family. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith kick things off with an irreverent "not-often-told Grimm's Fairy Tale" starring a mouse, bird and sausage and ending with the moral, "give thanks for what you have and what your friends give to you." Maurice Sendak contributes a wordless vignette starring one of his Wild Things, called "Give and Take," and Ed Koren's art adds the frosting to the humorous "Aunt Delia's Holiday Manners Quiz" by Delia Ephron. Paul O. Zelinsky, Eric Carle, Walter Dean Myers, Jerry Pinkney and Kate DiCamillo number among the many other children's book luminaries. Contributors more often found in other spotlights include Kevin Bacon, who, together with his sibling, Michael, formed The Bacon Brothers, co-wrote a song paying tribute to brotherhood; Tiger Woods, who tells of sending his cherished coin collection to Ethiopia to aid starving children; and Whoopi Goldberg, who celebrates her mother's ability to create magical Christmases. The timelessness of the topics explored here and the fact that many writers reach into their own childhood to find their stories make this collection at once universal and personal. Thematically and visually, this is an uplifting volume. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 6-Thomas brings together children's book authors and illustrators, actors, musicians, and others to celebrate the kindness of others and the joys of giving. Paul Newman shares a poem written by his uncle, Wendy Wasserstein and her daughter present a mini-play, the Bacon Brothers (Kevin and Michael) contribute a song, and Thomas has a chat with Bert and Ernie. Other contributors include Tiger Woods, Whoopi Goldberg, Avi, Maurice Sendak, Jerry Pinkney, Kate DiCamillo, Walter Dean Myers, David Shannon, Jon Scieszka, and Lane Smith. A fair sprinkling of Sesame Street creators rounds out the list of credits. The selections include poems, stories, songs, scripts, and memoirs that all speak to the themes of giving, sharing, receiving, and being thankful. Page turns are not always well planned; sometimes a two-page song or story includes a turn in the middle while there is a single-page entry opposite one of those pages. Parents may want to use this anthology to introduce the ideas of altruism and philanthropy. A pleasant enough offering for most collections.-Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews