Thanks for Nothing

Penelope Rex returns in this story about gratitude - or rather, her complete lack of it. Despite her father's patient attempts to teach her thankfulness, Penelope maintains that she has nothing to be grateful for. Through a series of everyday situations at home and school, Penelope encounters various moments that could inspire gratitude. Her steadfast refusal to acknowledge anything positive leads to humorous interactions with family, friends, and teachers. As events progress, Penelope's perspective faces challenges when circumstances force her to examine her stance on thankfulness. The story addresses themes of appreciation, personal growth, and the value of recognizing life's positive moments through a child's evolving understanding.

Parents and children find the book relatable and humorous, with the main character Bruce's grumpiness resonating with both adults and kids. Readers note that the message about gratitude comes through without being preachy. Likes: - Strong continuation of the Bruce series - Artwork captures emotions effectively - Works on multiple levels for different ages - Quick, engaging read-aloud option Dislikes: - Some feel it's not as strong as earlier Bruce books - A few readers note the plot is predictable - Complaints about price vs. length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.32/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (300+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect for teaching kids about appreciating what they have" - Goodreads "The illustrations of Bruce's expressions are worth the purchase alone" - Amazon "My 4-year-old requests this nightly" - Barnes & Noble review "Not quite as funny as Mother Bruce but still entertains" - Goodreads

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins A dinosaur learns about friendship and self-control on her first day of school when she keeps eating her human classmates.

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen A small fish steals a hat and tries to escape the bigger fish who owns it, leading to consequences.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin Dragons and humans share a love of tacos until spicy salsa creates chaos at a taco party.

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins A grumpy bear becomes an accidental mother when goslings mistake him for their mom and refuse to leave.

I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black A potato declares a child boring, leading the child to demonstrate the possibilities of imagination.

🦫 Author Ryan T. Higgins drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences with grumpiness and complaining when creating the main character, Beaver. 🌲 The book is part of a larger trend in children's literature addressing gratitude and mindfulness, themes that research shows can improve children's mental well-being. 📚 Higgins is also known for creating the popular "Mother Bruce" series, featuring a grumpy bear who reluctantly becomes a parent to geese. 🎨 The illustrations use a warm autumn color palette to reflect the Thanksgiving season, with rich browns, oranges, and deep greens throughout. 🦫 The main character's transformation from ungrateful to appreciative mirrors the real behavioral pattern psychologists observe in children as they develop emotional awareness between ages 4-8.