Thanksgiving Day Thanks

 

 

Ask any child about the meaning behind Thanksgiving and you're guaranteed to hear their tales of when the pilgrims met the Indians for a dinner filled with turkey, stuffing and S'mores (yes, S'mores, as it seems, at least according to one of my 2nd grade students last week, that the earliest settlers dined on those gooey sweets since, according to him, the Indians taught them how to make fire!).    

 

     But sometimes, our little ones tend to forget about the true significance behind those two words-thanks and giving, that this holiday is truly all about.

     Despite the fast pace world that we are living today, it's still so important to take the time to teach our little ones about gratefulness and the value of being thankful for all of the good things that they have in their lives.  Wishing each of you and your little ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day Thanks
      As our tale beings, everyone in Sam the bear's class are excited to start planning for their Thanksgiving Feast.  All of his classmate's in Mrs. Wright's class seem to be able to quickly able to say and think of special projects to create that express the many things that they are thankful for, all except Sam, and this makes him feel very sad and lonely. 
      The big day of the special feast arrives, which features appearances by Governor Bradford, Priscilla Mullins and even Squanto, but where is Sam?  His classmates remember how disappointed Sam has been feeling since he was having trouble coming up with a project and worry that he won't come to school.  Little do they know that inspiration in the form Sam's version of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon, awaits them outside.  But, when Mother Nature attempts to wreck havoc with Sam's special parade, his classmates come to the rescue in an excited conclusion.
       Author Laura Malone Elliot weaves a simple yet enlightening introduction about the holiday for little ones, and when I read this story to my 2nd graders last week before our break, between the humble storyline and the delightful illustrations by Lynn Munsinger, they were easily drawn in.  I also appreciated the fact that Elliot included, "A Note About Thanksgiving" which gave my students a factual account about the hardships that the pilgrims faced when they came to the New World and how the Indians, led by Squanto, saved numerous lives by helping them plant food and create shelter from the severe winter weather. 

Thanksgiving Day Thanks
Written by Laura Malone Elliot & Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
ISBN: 978-0-06-000236-7
Retails for $17.99