Thank You, Omu!

Summary

In Oge Mora’s Thank You, Omu!, a woman named Omu makes a delicious stew that fills her apartment and the entire neighborhood with a mouthwatering smell. One by one, visitors knock on her door—a little boy, a police officer, a construction worker—and Omu happily shares her stew with each of them. By dinnertime, her pot is empty. Just when she begins to feel disappointed, there’s another knock: all the people she fed have come back, each bringing something to share. Together, they create a new feast, showing that kindness has a way of coming back around. Mora’s collage illustrations and rhythmic storytelling bring warmth and community to life, making this a perfect story for thinking about generosity, gratitude, and the meaning of giving.

Guidelines for Discussion

Thank You, Omu! offers a gentle and joyful entry point for discussing gratitude and generosity. The story naturally raises questions about why we share, what motivates generosity, and how communities form through small acts of kindness. Omu gives without expecting anything in return, and her open-heartedness inspires others to do the same. Teachers can invite students to reflect on whether true giving should come with expectations—or whether kindness is its own reward.

The story also encourages thinking about gratitude as something active rather than polite. The neighbors don’t just say “thank you”; they show it by bringing gifts and companionship. This provides an opening for discussion about what it means to express gratitude: is it about words, actions, or both? Children might share times when someone thanked them in a way that felt special, or when they tried to thank someone through a kind act rather than just saying the words.

A further theme concerns community and reciprocity. Omu’s generosity sets off a chain reaction that unites people who might not have met otherwise. Students can explore how small actions—sharing food, offering time, helping others—can ripple outward to strengthen the places we live. Teachers can prompt reflection by asking: What makes a community feel connected? How do we build it through the choices we make every day?

Finally, the story offers a chance to think about fairness and abundance. Omu gives until her pot is empty, yet she ends up richer in friendship and joy. This paradox can spark meaningful discussion about what it means to have “enough.” Children might reflect on whether generosity depends on material wealth or whether it’s something that grows the more we share.

Through these themes, Thank You, Omu! helps students see gratitude as more than politeness—it’s a way of relating to others that nourishes everyone involved.

Discussion Questions

Generosity and Giving

1. Why does Omu share her stew with everyone who knocks on her door?
2. Do you think she expected anything in return?
3. Can giving make you happy even if you end up with less for yourself?

Gratitude and Reciprocity

1. How do the neighbors show their gratitude to Omu?
2. Is saying “thank you” enough, or are there other ways to show we’re thankful?
3. Can kindness create more kindness?

Community and Connection

1. What happens when everyone in the story comes together at the end?
2. How do acts of sharing help people feel like they belong?
3. What makes a community feel strong and connected?

Fairness and Enough

1. Was it fair that Omu had no stew left for herself?
2. Did the neighbors make things fair again?
3. What does it mean to have “enough” to share?

Suggested Activity: Our Community Feast

This activity helps students experience the book’s themes of sharing and gratitude in a tangible, collaborative way. After reading the story, invite students to imagine they are creating a “community feast” inspired by Omu’s dinner. Begin by gathering everyone in a circle and asking what items, foods, or gifts they would bring if they were one of Omu’s visitors. These can be real things or symbolic—someone might bring bread, a favorite song, a handmade card, or even a story to tell. As students share, write each contribution on the board or a large sheet of paper, drawing a simple table or pot in the center to represent the meal.

Next, ask students to reflect on why they chose their item. Teachers might prompt them with questions such as: “What makes your contribution special?” or “How would it make others feel?” This encourages children to connect generosity with empathy and imagination.

If time allows, extend the activity by turning the list into an art project. Students can each draw their contribution on a card or small sheet of paper and arrange them together on a poster labeled “Our Community Feast.” Displaying this in the classroom helps reinforce that everyone has something meaningful to give.

To close, return to the story and ask: How did Omu’s neighbors show gratitude? How did their sharing change Omu’s day? Encourage students to notice that generosity creates connection—and that when we give, we often receive more than we expect.