by Trine Grillo
Our desire at Read, Discuss, Do is to support everyone who reads with children in extending the magic of story time beyond the last page.
The lovely season of autumn arrives rushing us into the holidays at full speed. To my disappointment, Thanksgiving seems to get lost somewhere between Halloween and Christmas. Thanksgiving week is a wonderful time to push pause during the holiday chaos and model a thankful spirit to the young people in our lives.
As I read to children about this holiday, I also take the opportunity to especially appreciate our Native American friends and those of their ancestors who taught so much to the early pilgrims as they settled into this new world.
Read, Discuss, Do is an easy tool for nurturing the little hearts in your care to grow in gratefulness.
This year I will be sharing these two story gems I discovered at the library where I work my day job.
READ:
We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell and illustrator Frané Lessac takes us on a journey through the seasons with the Cherokee people celebrating their many blessings and reflecting on lessons from their past. They say “otsaliheliga” to express gratitude.
DISCUSS:
What words do you use to express gratitude?
What was your favorite thing about this past year?
DO:
Make a poster of thankful words. Add colorful drawings of the things you are most thankful for this past year.
The Thank you Book by Mo Willems is delightful. Piggie comes to the realization that he is “one lucky pig” and sets out to thank every one he knows. His practical friend Elephant is a bit skeptical that he can accomplish this.
DISCUSS:
Who are you thankful for?
Can you think of something special to do for that person?
DO:
Make a list of people you are thankful for (grandparent, neighbor, teacher, pastor, friends, classmates, coach, doctor, grocery checker, shop owner, policeman, fireman…). Like Piggie, set out to thank one or more of them either with a visit, a call, or a handmade card.
May your hearts grow even fuller in gratefulness and may you have too many blessings to count.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Do you have any favorite books to nurture gratefulness? We'd love to hear about them!
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