Customer Reviews

Thanks for Thanksgiving

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went to the bookstore to look for a book for my toddler on thanksgiving. While I wasn't quite sure what I wanted when I first arrived, after looking at several books, I quickly figured out what I didn't want. First, I didn't want a book with any TV characters. Second, I didn't want a book that mentioned pilgrims and American Indians; that bit of history just doesn't ring true to me and a meaningful discussion about that topic is simply not age-appropriate for a two-year-old. Finally, I didn't want a book that was shallow.

I was fortunate to find something that satisfied what I wanted: a meaningful discussion about being thankful that a young child can grasp. This book celebrates thanksgiving by showing appreciation for the big and small things that occur in a young child's life, from "playdates, swings, and slides" to "dancing, music, and art." It also celebrates this time of year, thanking for autmumn and sled rides. And, it states clearly, that we should be most thankful for family.

The illustrations are realistic, yet magical and captivating.

If I were to search for a complaint it would be that the children in this book are all white. I suppose they are all from the same family and the family happens to be white, but wouldn't it have been nice if the author and/or illustrator showed several different families of color? Perhaps this is a missed opportunity.

Still, I give the book five stars because the overall sentiment of this book is just right for toddlers and preschoolers. On the last page, there is a place to record your children's own thankful thoughts year to year. By first showing all the things one can be thankful for and then asking a child what he/she is thankful for captures the spirit of this holiday. The book, therefore, can be used as an opportunity to model, discuss, and share thanksgiving.

This is such a simple way to talk with a young child about all the things they like and are thankful for. The illustrations are wonderful and full of life and the story is all told in rhyme so it is a joy to read aloud. My two year old and I really enjoyed reading this together.

From floating leaves to the family we love, THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING illustrates the grateful attitude in action through a child's eyes as he observes his family preparing for the big turkey Feast and plays through the many ordinary, special moments with his family members in the traditions that impart meaning to this all-important American holiday. Elegantly simple rhymes appear on every page meshed with marvelous watercolors that capture each theme. These are pictures worth more than a thousand words about turkey and pie, school and music, play dates with siblings, friends and pets, winter activities & bedtime routine with daddy and mommy, and finally passing that moonlit night to welcome together grandparents and relatives for a round table full of food - a delicious celebration of family life and a visual appreciation for Thanksgiving.

Told from the perspective of three younger siblings, THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING lists in rhyme the things the children are thankful. Turkey, pie, falling leaves, school, music, dancing, art, play dates, swings, slides, games, puppies, cats, clothes, umbrellas, rain boots, puddles, parents, good night kisses, the moon, stars, and family are all things the children are thankful. The book is a great children's book that illustrates things younger children can be thankful.
The illustrations by Doris Barrette are very warm and energetic, capturing the joy the children feel. The end of the book has a place where kids can record their own thoughts and memories about Thanksgiving.

THANKS FOR THANSGIVING is a good children's book about Thanksgiving. Unlike many children's Thanksgiving books, it doesn't mention the harvest feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. Instead, it tries to capture the spirit of Thanksgiving from the perspective of children. The book also does a remarkable job at illustrating how a loving family functions. My only complaint about the book is that there is no recognition of the religious aspect of Thanksgiving. It would have been a nice touch if the very last picture would have been of the family praying together and thanking God before they eat.

The missing religious aspect keeps this from being the best children's Thanksgiving book for preschoolers that I have seen. However, it does present a really good picture of what the holiday looks like for young children and it also does a great job at providing children with a glimpse of a happy, joyful, and loving family.

Wonderful book for teaching a young child the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Beautifully written and illustrated.

I was happy to find this and another similar book as a way to introduce Thanksgiving to my class of preschoolers with mild special needs. The simple text and lovely illustrations offer enough food for thought on the subject of gratitude as it relates to very young children. Falling leaves, school, dress-up and family are beautifully illustrated and set the tone for a pleasant interactive read-aloud. My class was thoroughly engaged by this simple gem.

We got several books for the kids to read around Thanksgiving, and I like this one the best out of all of them. It doesn't tell the Thanksgiving story, rather, each page has a line or two about what the children in this family are thankful for. It's very simple, but the illustrations are fantastic! There are so many details, my children and I have spent a lot of time just looking at the pictures. This book has a very warm and cozy family feel about it, and that's what Thanksgiving is really all about!

I found this book at the library when my oldest was a toddler and her brother, a newborn. We've read it every year since, and now I've purchased copies for them to keep (there's a spot in the back to write in your thankful thoughts each year). I've also given this book as a gift to grandparents, nieces, friends... it's illustrations are realistic and beautiful, the rhythm of the story is lovely and the message itself is exactly what you want a child to learn about the meaning of the holiday.

I'm thankful that I discovered this book 5 years ago, and that it's become a part of how we celebrate Thanksgiving each year!

This book is wonderful in that it explains how to be thankful to a small child. Beautiful, interesting, and engaging. I also like that isn't a religious message, it's good for anyone!

Oh, this is such a cute story. Both my 7 and 2 year old really enjoyed reading it last night. It really connects the dots for smaller kids on all that they have to be thankful for.