Book Resume
for Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Professional book information and credentials for Thank You, Omu!.
8 Professional Reviews (3 Starred)
11 Book Awards
Selected for 11 State/Province Lists
See full Book Resume
on TeachingBooks
Omu is cooking “thick red stew in a big fat pot for a nice evening meal.” ...read more
- Publisher's Weekly:
- Ages 4 - 8
- Kirkus:
- Ages 4 - 8
- Booklist:
- Pre-K
- School Library Journal:
- Pre-K - Grade 2
- TeachingBooks:*
- Grades PK-2
- Word Count:
- 822
- Lexile Level:
- 630L
- ATOS Reading Level:
- 3.2
- Cultural Experience:
- African American
- Genre:
- Picture Book
- Realistic Fiction
- Year Published:
- 2018
9 Subject Headings
The following 9 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Thank You, Omu!).
8 Full Professional Reviews (3 Starred)
The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.
Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Omu is cooking “thick red stew in a big fat pot for a nice evening meal.” As it simmers, the scent of the stew wafts out the window. “Knock!” A little boy is at her door, drawn by the delicious smell. “Knock! Knock!” A police officer arrives. “Knock! Knock! Knock!” This time it’s the hot dog vendor, followed by many others from her neighborhood, all unable to resist the smell of her stew. Each time, Omu gives the unexpected guest some stew. But when the time for her own dinner arrives the pot is empty. Luckily there’s one more big surprise in store in this debut picture book celebrating the spirit of generosity and reciprocity, appreciation and thanksgiving, inspired by the author/illustrator’s Nigerian grandmother. Mixed-media collage art comprised of bold shapes is the perfect pairing for the bright, warm-hearted story. Highly Commended, 2019 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 4–7)
CCBC Choices 2019 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2019. Used with permission.
From Horn Book
January 1, 2019
The "scrumptious scent" of grandmotherly Omu's thick red stew wafts out her apartment window; a little boy inquires after the delicious smell, followed by a peckish police officer and more until Omu's generosity means that she has no stew left for dinner. But everyone returns, this time to share with Omu. Mixed-media layers give the collage illustrations depth. Mora times her story perfectly, and repetition will encourage group participation.
(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
From Horn Book
November 1, 2018
Grandmotherly Omu (a brief note on the front endpapers explains that the name is pronounced AH-moo and is the Igbo term for ?queen' ) seasons and stirs her thick red stew in a big fat pot. In the mixed-media collage illustrations, brown-skinned Omu looks blissful as a wavy ribbon of scrumptious scent from her stew wafts out the window and out the door, down the hall, toward the street, and around the block. Soon there is a knock on the door, and a little boy asks about the delicious smell. Omu decides to share her stew with him as the scent continues to float out from her apartment, bringing another knock knock to her door?a peckish police officer, this time. The pattern of the story quickly becomes clear, as each knock brings someone who very much appreciates Omu sharing her stew: Thank you, Omu! At the end of the day, Omu's generosity means that she has no stew left to eat for dinner, but the people come back, and the little boy tells her, Don't worry, Omu. We are not here to ask?We are here to give. The layers of paint, paper scraps, old book clippings, and more give the collages depth and make each person distinct in his or her skin tone, hair, and clothes. Mora times her story perfectly, with each beat in the right place and repetition that will encourage participation from a group. This will be an ideal volume to use any time sharing is the theme. susan dove lempke
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
From Publisher's Weekly
Starred review from August 27, 2018
Omu (pronounced AH-moo, it's Igbo for queen), the matriarch of her city neighborhood, is making "thick red stew in a big fat pot." As the delicious scent-rendered as an undulating strip of paper-wafts through the neighborhood, a little boy drops by, then "Ms. Police Officer," and then a deluge of hungry humans that eventually includes the mayor. Mora, a major new talent making her debut as an author-illustrator, gives her book a rhythmic, refrainlike structure: There's a "KNOCK!" at the door, a moment of thought on Omu's part, the presentation of a bowl, and a hearty "Thank you, Omu!" in brightly colored capital letters. Dinnertime arrives, and a chagrined Omu discovers that she's given all her stew away ("There goes the best dinner I ever had!"). But she isn't sad for long. The stew eaters arrive en masse at her door with a bountiful potluck (the boy proffers a handmade thank-you note), and "together they ate, danced, and celebrated." This sweet story of inclusivity, gratitude, and delicious fellowship is also a feast for the eyes, with its warm colors and inventive mélange of cut paper and other materials. Ages 4—8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.
From Kirkus
Starred review from August 15, 2018
Omu makes a stew so delicious everyone in the neighborhood follows their noses to her door.Omu (which means "queen" in Igbo--Omu is black) is making a "thick red stew in a big fat pot" for her dinner. She tastes it, saying it'll be the most delicious supper she's ever had, while out the window drifts the scent of the "scrumptious" stew until it reaches a little boy. The story is peppered with synonyms for "scrumptious" (itself repeated throughout), allowing readers the chance to discuss and expand vocabulary. When the little boy follows the smell to Omu's door, she kindly offers to share her stew with him. So begins a veritable parade of neighborhood residents who, led by the smell, end up at Omu's door. The collage art adds texture, depth, and distinctiveness to each character. Omu shares her thick red stew with all and receives grateful thanks in reply. Alas, when Omu looks for her own supper, she finds her pot empty. The expressive illustrations convey her despondency as she answers yet another knock at her door to find...that the multiracial neighbors she shared with are back! This time, they have gifts in hand and are ready to make her a wonderful supper, which turns into another shared meal and a dance party.A lovely story of giving and community founded in Nigerian culture. Delectable. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From Booklist
July 1, 2018
Preschool-G Omu (Nigerian for queen, but here grandma) enjoys cooking thick red stews for her evening meal. One day, while her pot simmers, a little boy knocks at her door, enticed by the delicious aroma. Of course Omu shares with him and later with others: a police officer, a hot dog vendor, a shop owner, a cab driver, a doctor, an actor, a lawyer, a dancer, a baker, an artist, a singer, an athlete, a bus driver, a construction worker, and the mayor! Predictably, the pot is empty when suppertime arrives, but Omu's friends give back with a feast that everyone enjoys. Mora's mixed-media collage art makes use of patterned papers and book clippings in addition to paints and pastels. She uses simplified forms to represent people and objects (somewhat reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats' style), well suited to this cozy, urban setting. Particularly effective is the white trail of steam from Omu's stew that travels through the neighborhood. A great choice for food-themed story hours, or for introducing the concept of sharing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)
From School Library Journal
Starred review from July 1, 2018
PreS-Gr 2-In her apartment on the top floor, Omu (Igbo for queen) makes a tasty, thick red stew for her dinner. The smell wafts through her community, enticing neighbors to knock at her door to inquire about the delicious smell. A little boy is first, followed by a police officer, the hot dog vendor, and many other neighbors. Omu shares a bit of her stew with each person until she has none left for her dinner. When she hears the next knock, it is the visitors again, but this time with a feast to share with Omu. Even the little boy makes a contribution: a red envelope that conveys everyone's sincere gratitude. The richly textured and expressive collage illustrations were created with patterned paper and old-book clippings using acrylic paint, pastels, and markers. Mora has crafted a memorable tale of community and the unexpected rewards of sharing. VERDICT Children will enjoy this fresh, engaging story of friendship and community building, perfect for any group gathering. -Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
From AudioFile Magazine
Narrator LaQuita James brings fresh joy to this engaging story of friendship, sharing, and community. Omu's name means "queen" in the Igbo language of Nigeria. When she makes a stew for dinner, the wafting smell entices neighbors all over the community to knock on her door. Omu shares her stew with every visitor until there is none left for herself. James creates different voices for each visitor, who include a little boy, a police officer, and hot dog vendor. Listeners hear the sadness in Omu's voice when she realizes the stew is gone and the laugh in her voice when all the visitors unexpectedly return to show their gratitude. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
11 Book Awards & Distinctions
Thank You, Omu! was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.
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Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, 2017-2024, Winner, 2020
ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025, Commended, 2019
Anna Dewdney Read Together Award, 2017-2024, Honor, 2019
CCBC Choices, Selection, 2019
Charlotte Zolotow Award, 1998-2024, Commended, 2019
Coretta Scott King Book Awards, 1970-2025, New Talent Winner, 2019
Ezra Jack Keats Award, 1986-2024, Illustrator Winner, 2019
Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025, Read Aloud Selection, 2019
Randolph Caldecott Medal, 1938-2025, Honor, 2019
Publishers Weekly Best Books, 2010-2024, Picture Book Selection, 2018
SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024, Selection, 2018
11 Selections for State & Provincial Recommended Reading Lists
Thank You, Omu! was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.
United States Lists (11)
California
- CDE Recommended List 2022
- CDE Recommended List 2022, PK
- CDE Recommended List 2024
- CDE Recommended List 2024, K-Grade 2
- Early Math Project Children's Literature, 2024
Illinois
- Monarch Award, 2021, for Grades K-3
Indiana
- 2020 AISLE Read Aloud Indiana, Ageless
- Read Aloud Indiana Book Award, 1990-2024
Kentucky
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2019-2020 -- K-2
Nebraska
- Golden Sower Award, 2020-2021 -- Picture Book, Grades K-3
New Mexico
- Land of Enchantment Roadrunner Reading List, 2020-2021 for Grades K-3
Primary Source Statement on Creating Thank You, Omu!
Oge Mora on creating Thank You, Omu!:
This primary source recording with Oge Mora was created to provide readers insights directly from the book's creator into the backstory and making of this book.
Listen to this recording on TeachingBooks
Citation: Mora, Oge. "Meet-the-Author Recording | Thank You, Omu!." TeachingBooks, https://lib.teachingbooks.net/bookResume/t/60275. Accessed 30 January, 2025.
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This Book Resume for Thank You, Omu! is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.
*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.
Retrieved from TeachingBooks on January 30, 2025. © 2001-2025 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.