What's on our bookshelf....

Thanks for Thanksgiving - Written by Julie Markes and Illustrated by Doris Barrette



Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks - Written by Margaret Sutherland and Illustrated by Sonja Lamut

As Thanksgiving is upon us, I would like to suggest 2 books to read over the holiday weekend with your children. The first is called Thanks for Thanksgiving. It is a lovely book with one sentence per page and easy rhymes that the kids will love to try and guess. The brightly colored pictures fill the pages and are a lot of fun to look at. Each page starts with "Thank you for" and then names something that kids would be thankful for. At the end of the book is a place for the child or entire family to write about what they are thankful for.

The second book is called Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks. This book also has about one sentence per page but does not contain any rhyming. The sentences state what they are thankful for and sometimes adds why they are thankful for that item. These sweet illustrations show culturally diverse children enjoying the things they are thankful for.

Both of these books are good choices when talking to your child about thankfulness. Please let us know which book you liked and why - we'd love to hear from you!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

What's on our bookshelf....

Thank You, World written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin


This quick but soothing read is wonderful for beginning to talk to your child about thankfulness. Here is a description from the book jacket:

"The joys of childhood are the same the whole world over. In this compelling book of celebratory rhyme and glowing pictures, eight very different kids, from eight different countries, all go about their day and experience the same moments of happiness: greeting the sun in the morning, swinging on a swing, flying a kite, being tucked in by Mommy at bedtime. Uplifting and visually rich, this book reminds us that the world isn't as large as it seems, and that life's greatest pleasures are the simple ones."

The amazing crayon-drawn pictures are sure to transport you to the different countries and experience their days along with them. Enjoy!

What's on our bookshelf....

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin - Written by Joe Troiano and Illustrated by Susan Banta

Spookley the Square Pumpkin is the only square pumpkin in the patch. The other "normal" pumpkins tease him for not having curves. One day a storm is brewing and the wind starts blowing. The curvy pumpkins start to roll and tumble down the hill towards a hole in the fence. Spookley uses his special shape to save the day. At the end of the story, the farmer is so pleased with Spookley that he plants more pumpkins that grow in all different shapes, sizes and colors.

First and foremost, this story teaches the ultra important message that each person is special in their own way. Talk with your kids about how it must feel to be a square pumpkin and what unique yet special attributes that they have. You may also find it an appropriate to time to introduce the word diversity.

This book also gives you an opportunity to talk about three dimensional shapes, colors, and patterns. The cute illustrations and great rhyming make this story an enjoyable read with a great underlying message.