5 Comments

  1. Hey Jessica,

    I want to preface this by saying I love you, and your blog, so please take this comment in that vein! I have not read all of the books listed above, but in this case I am going to judge a few of them “by their covers”, and get on my soapbox for a moment. I love Thanksgiving, it is a time that my family always makes an effort to get together and celebrate the bounty of blessings we have received during the year. However, because of my heritage and background, I am also incredibly sensitive to the “truth” of the “first Thanksgiving” and the treatment of indigenous populations in the US, both past and present. Because of this I would love to take a moment and urge both you and your readers to be thoughtful about the ways in which Native Americans are portrayed in literature read both at home and school, and in the activities surrounding this holiday. And to use this time as a springboard to meaningful, age appropriate discussion. I’m linking to a couple of resources, but their are a ton out there! So yes, celebrate, eat, be thankful, but perhaps also take a moment to reflect on the complexity of our nation’s past as well. For discussion: http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/lets-use-thanksgiving-to-talk-about-native-american-history-with-our-children and for additional reading resources: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/11/19/beyond-so-called-first-thanksgiving-5-childrens-books-set-record-straight-152337?fb_action_ids=10152079447222146&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B429012343892896%255

  2. I posted on this just recently, too! You should check out Balloons Over Broadway (about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade) and Thank You, Sarah. Both are excellent Thanksgiving books for kids!

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