Good Reminders for Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and nostalgia. If you have any wee ones dropping by for a visit this month, check out these delightful books to remind all ages how best to celebrate the season.

Giving Thanks by Chief Jake Swamp
Erwin Printup, Jr., Illustrator

Chief Jake Swamp wrote Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message to share the Six Nations’ ancient remembrance of peace and appreciation for Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. The story thanks everything that gives us life—from all of the animals, trees, and birds in the world to the four winds that sweep in clean air.

Dino-Thanksgiving by Lisa Wheeler
Barry Gott, Illustrator

For a more contemporary romp, Lisa Wheeler’s Dino-Thanksgiving will please any fan of the prehistoric reptiles in a cute rhyming story. It starts out as “T. rex wakes at crack of dawn; It’s time to put the turkey on.” The triceratops, stegosauruses, raptors, and more join in for fun and games with a food fight during the feast. Don’t worry, they all wash up in the end.

God is Giving by Amy Parker
Chris Saunders, Illustrator

Another gem by Amy Parker called God is Giving reminds little tykes, “We thank you, dear God, for all that you give, How you bless us in every way.” The board book ends with a scripture verse: Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17 NRSV

Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie by Jack Bishop
Michelle Mee Nutter, Illustrator

Jack Bishop’s Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie: A Thanksgiving Celebration brings a humorous twist to turkey day with a picky eater who doesn’t like green, orange, or red foods and anything gooey, gummy, sticky, slimy, flaky, chunky, or lumpy for that matter. Peyton gets brave enough to try the apple pie when she learns a little vanilla ice cream can make it less scary, and it turns out pie à la mode isn’t so bad after all. A bonus apple pie recipe graces the last page.

This Thanksgiving don’t forget to revisit some of the simple messages of the season. By reading children’s books with youngsters, us grown-ups can renew and refresh our spirits. Our local public libraries have a wonderful assortment to choose from in person or online.

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.” ~ Maya Angelou