During the nineteenth century, Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated her life to making Thanksgiving a national holiday, all while raising a family and becoming a groundbreaking writer and women's magazine editor. Sarah Hale's inspiring story, accompanied by luscious watercolor illustrations, tells the tale of one woman who wouldn't take no for an answer.
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From School Library Journal
Gr 1-5-More of a biography about Sarah Josepha Hale than a holiday book, this well-researched, engaging read-aloud offers youngsters a glimpse into the lives of women and families in 19th-century America as well as to the history of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday. More commonly known as the author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," Hale was actually a feminist before her time, despite her lack of formal education. When she became widowed with five young children, she wrote to support her family. Her book of poems and first novel led to a position as an editor at Ladies' Magazine. Unlike other magazines of the period, this publication ran articles on history, science, and schools for women. Hale went on to take a job as an "editress" at Lady's Book, making it "the most widely read magazine in the country." As her name and opinions gained popularity, she became an untiring advocate for making Thanksgiving a national holiday. She wrote editorials and petitioned four different presidents over the course of 36 years, until Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed the last Thursday of November a holiday in 1863. Generous, full-spread watercolor illustrations add humor and colorful details about costume, home, publishing, and political life during this period. Libraries that own Laurie Halse Anderson's Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (S & S, 2002) will still want this fresh, accessible offering.-Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
From Booklist
Sarah Josepha Hale was already a published writer when her husband died, in 1822. To support her five young children, she became a novelist and, eventually, the editor of “the most widely read magazine in America,” Godey’s Lady’s Book. Over time, Hale took up various causes, but, beginning in 1826, she worked to make Thanksgiving “a national festival and observed by all our people.” Each year, she promoted the holiday in her magazine, encouraged leaders to get behind it, and sent a request to the president. Finally, in 1863, Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday. The informative text is clearly written, and the watercolor artwork is fluid and engaging. Indicating the passage of time in a picture book is challenging, but Gardner manages by showing Sarah aging, her children growing up, and a succession of U.S. presidents receiving her written requests. An author’s note and source bibliography round out this rewarding picture book on Hale and her role in the history of Thanksgiving. Grades 1-3. --Carolyn Phelan
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More About the Author
David Gardner is the illustrator of many books for children including Sarah Gives Thanks, The Harvey Milk Story, and Jamestown: A Ship's Boy. He lives in New Mexico. Please visit him at www.flyingdogstudio.com.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Celeste
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
We purchased this book for our son based on the recommendation of a family member, and found it to be an interesting and inspirational story. My recommendation would be for the author to write about more of our national holidays in future books, since it really helps children understand the true meaning of a holiday, as opposed to it being "just another day off from school".
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Stacy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book, because I met the author through the blogosphere. I read the book, because it's an interesting story. Mike Allegra weaves a lot of information into this picture book about Sarah Hale and her efforts to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. It also shares a story of how a single mom managed to support her family in a man's world -- a 19th century man's world. The historical facts are educational and presented in an entertaining manner. The illustrations by David Gardner are wonderful.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Do you ever wonder how our national holiday called THANKSGIVING began? Well this true story describes the history of the holiday and the woman who endlessly fought for it to become the celebrated day it is today.
Sarah Josepha Hall was widowed young with five children and had to find a way to support them. She turned to writing and became a well known writer and editor. It took Sarah 36 years until she found a president, Abraham Lincoln, who issued the proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving.
Sarah was also instrumental in supporting and furthering the education of women in the 1800's. What courage and strength for a women to do that so long ago.
I feel our young women today need to learn about these brave women who were instrumental not only in focusing on the rights of women, but in the institutions of education, family, and tradition.
Sarah Josepha Hall was widowed young with five children and had to find a way to support them. She turned to writing and became a well known writer and editor. It took Sarah 36 years until she found a president, Abraham Lincoln, who issued the proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving.
Sarah was also instrumental in supporting and furthering the education of women in the 1800's. What courage and strength for a women to do that so long ago.
I feel our young women today need to learn about these brave women who were instrumental not only in focusing on the rights of women, but in the institutions of education, family, and tradition.
Format:Hardcover
MY THOUGHTS:
SARAH GIVES THANKS:HOW THANKSGIVING BECAME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY by Mike Allegra,illustrated by David C. Gardner is an exciting Children's books/Holidays/America Thanksgiving. This story of Sarah Josepha Hale, a young widow with small children. A young woman who would not stop until she made Thanksgiving a National holiday. An inspiring story! She remarried in 1813 to David Hale, a lawyer, who encouraged her, she published a few pieces of poetry with her husbands encouragement. A widow once again, Sarah earned her living by writing. She was also the editress of a Ladies magazine. On Oct 3, 1863, Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a National holiday on the last Thursday of November. Sarah did many things for women's rights and was a remarkable woman. A must read!
Did you know?.....Who helped make some of the National Landmarks noted? Who wrote the novel to condemn slavery? and Who wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb"? To learn more on this remarkable lady you must read "Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday" you will not regret reading the life of Sarah Josepha Hale. Educators,young readers and older students will enjoy this wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: NONE(CHILDREN'S BOOKS)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
SARAH GIVES THANKS:HOW THANKSGIVING BECAME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY by Mike Allegra,illustrated by David C. Gardner is an exciting Children's books/Holidays/America Thanksgiving. This story of Sarah Josepha Hale, a young widow with small children. A young woman who would not stop until she made Thanksgiving a National holiday. An inspiring story! She remarried in 1813 to David Hale, a lawyer, who encouraged her, she published a few pieces of poetry with her husbands encouragement. A widow once again, Sarah earned her living by writing. She was also the editress of a Ladies magazine. On Oct 3, 1863, Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a National holiday on the last Thursday of November. Sarah did many things for women's rights and was a remarkable woman. A must read!
Did you know?.....Who helped make some of the National Landmarks noted? Who wrote the novel to condemn slavery? and Who wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb"? To learn more on this remarkable lady you must read "Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday" you will not regret reading the life of Sarah Josepha Hale. Educators,young readers and older students will enjoy this wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: NONE(CHILDREN'S BOOKS)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great stand alone book. Perfect for teaching finding information from mulitiple sources when paired with Thank you Sarah. Great for teaching character traits as well.
By Steph
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is a great story showing how thanksgiving became a national holiday. I read it to elementary age kids and all ages enjoyed it.
By onthego
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really like the illustrations in this book as well as the information. I had no idea how much work went into making Thanksgiving a national holiday and I had no idea that it was a determined woman and mother of many whose desire to unite the nation brought Thanksgiving to be. Love this book!
Format:Hardcover
I have included this book in my online Gender Equality Bookstore.
Until I read this book, I had no idea how important Sarah Josepha Hale was to our country. She helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday (it was considered more of a New England holiday in the early 1800s).
Although as a young woman Hale had been barred from college due to her gender, she had studied at home alongside her brother, using his college texts. After the death of her husband, she was able to support her five children from her income as a writer.
As the influential editor of magazines for women, she encouraged education and exercise for women. She frequently wrote about the importance of Thanksgiving as a way to promote gratitude. She sent letters to politicians and businesspeople, and encouraged her readers to do the same. Finally, after five presidents had refused to consider her request to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, President Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 that Thanksgiving would be held nationwide on the last Thursday in November.
Hale's story is told in simple, engaging language by Mike Allegra, and realistic, colorful pictures by David Gardner. The book also includes a biographical sketch for adults, as well as a list of resources for further reading. This book would be appropriate for elementary students above the age of seven or eight.
Until I read this book, I had no idea how important Sarah Josepha Hale was to our country. She helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday (it was considered more of a New England holiday in the early 1800s).
Although as a young woman Hale had been barred from college due to her gender, she had studied at home alongside her brother, using his college texts. After the death of her husband, she was able to support her five children from her income as a writer.
As the influential editor of magazines for women, she encouraged education and exercise for women. She frequently wrote about the importance of Thanksgiving as a way to promote gratitude. She sent letters to politicians and businesspeople, and encouraged her readers to do the same. Finally, after five presidents had refused to consider her request to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, President Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 that Thanksgiving would be held nationwide on the last Thursday in November.
Hale's story is told in simple, engaging language by Mike Allegra, and realistic, colorful pictures by David Gardner. The book also includes a biographical sketch for adults, as well as a list of resources for further reading. This book would be appropriate for elementary students above the age of seven or eight.
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