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| Photo courtesy of: GraphicMama-team; courtesy of: Pixabay |
Handprint turkeys, feathered headbands, tall black hats and cornucopias. Happy November, Everyone!
During this time of year, we pause to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for in life: our families, our friends, the food on our table, the clothes on our back.
For Pre-K/Kindergarten teachers it’s the perfect time to instruct students on the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday and what it means to be thankful.
As always, I believe a good book is an excellent way to present or reinforce an important idea that holds a valuable lesson. Once again, I’ve harvested the shelves at my local free library for books focusing on one topic.
This month’s theme is Thanksgiving books followed by a mini-review of each one to aid you in finding quality literature to read to your children.
1. I’m A Turkey
Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 1, 2009
ISBN: 978439903646
Rating: 3 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
Through rhyme, Tom the Turkey describes what life is like among his large flock, from looking out for predators to communicating through turkey talk.Mini-Review:
An amusing spoken-word song with fun turkey facts mixed in. As readers sing along, they will learn that turkeys weigh fifteen pounds and fly fifty miles per hour.Arnosky’s illustrations are a nice complement to his witty verses. However, the rhymes don’t flow consistently which makes them a little harsh on the listener’s ear.
2. Thanksgiving Day
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Release Date: September 3, 2002
ISBN: 9780060283889
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
Mrs. Madoff’s class performs a play that details the events that led to the first Thanksgiving between the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims.Garbed in handmade costumes, each student is given a specific role (Squanto, Samoset, Pilgrim) and recites a related fact about them. On the page opposite of each student is a picture of the historical figure they represent.
Throughout the story, one of the students explains how some of the original traditions still endure today.
Mini-Review:
Adorable illustrations and simple text filled with easy to understand facts for young children. The characters are diverse, warm and sweet.This was one of my favorite Thanksgiving books to read to my Pre-K/Kindergarten class.
3. The Perfect Thanksgiving
Illustrator: Joann Adinolfi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, LLC
Release Date: October 2, 2007
ISBN: 9780805065312
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Review:
A hilarious, heartfelt story of how two very different families celebrate Thanksgiving. The Archer’s family celebration is prim and proper with a golden turkey, lace napkins and homemade pie; the main character’s is entirely different: Mom’s burnt the turkey, family members are burping, and the Jell-O mold is so wiggly it quivers to the floor.Mini-Review:
The story is a great introduction to how each family is
unique and, despite their flaws, perfect in their own way.
4. The Mayflower
Author: Mark Greenwood
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Publisher: Holiday House
Release Date: August 31, 2014
ISBN: 9780832429431
Rating: 3 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
A non-fiction book that tells of the Pilgrim’s harrowing journey to the New World in 1620.Review:
The book is well written with many interesting facts but there is one glaring error that must be addressed. The Pilgrims are referred to as Puritans which is incorrect.At one time, the Pilgrims were Puritans, but they separated from this group because of discontentment with the Puritan reforms. After that, the Pilgrims were known as Separatists.
The Pilgrims arrived in 1620 aboard one ship, The Mayflower; whereas the Puritans came in many ships in 1630.
Click the links to read more about the differences between Pilgrims and Puritans.
The book references a group known as Strangers being aboard the Mayflower also. Here’s a link about them. I think it’s so interesting.
The illustrations are rich, colorful and capture the seriousness the Separatists must have been feeling during this difficult time.
5. Thanksgiving Is…
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House
Released: 2004
ISBN: 9780823418479
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
A non-fiction book that introduces young children to the history and traditions of America’s national Thanksgiving holiday as well as the ways ancient cultures celebrated the end of the harvest season.Mini-Review:
A fine introduction to America’s early history and the traditions of Thanksgiving that have evolved over time. The book is loaded with interesting facts about various cultures, but they’re presented in a way that won’t overwhelm young students.The watercolor illustrations are colorful and add extra historical details to the book that are sure to spark conversations about how the Pilgrims and Native Americans lived.
A must read for all classrooms learning about the origins and traditions of America’s Thanksgiving Day.
6. Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving
Book Summary
Mini-Review:
A delightful and informative read
that children will enjoy. The story and illustrations are often comical without
compromising the complexities of American history and the universal message of unity,
perseverance, and activism.
Resources:
I have a Pinterest Page for Thanksgiving In The Classroom loaded with resources for lessons, books and more!
