Giving Thanks: Friendsgiving and Children’s Books About Gratitude

Fats here.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in America! Last weekend, my Game Night friends celebrated our first “Friendsgiving” potluck. After our lovely feast, we played Reverse Charades and The Original Tiny Hands. Check out a few of the pictures that my friend took.

The Friendsgiving spread. To make this occasion even more special, my friend took out her great-grandmother’s china. They were lovely. Everyone enjoyed the chicken lasagna.

A card I bought for a friend. We both came from big cities and moved to a smaller town.

Unfortunately, I got sick two days ago. My throat is still sore and sleep was so uncomfortable because of post-nasal drip. I’m glad I’m off for the next two days. I hope it would give me enough time to recuperate.

In light of my feeling miserable, I’m going to make this post short and sweet. Today, I decided to feature two picture books about gratitude. If you have young ones in the family, these books are perfect to share during your Thanksgiving celebration.

Thankful

Written by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Archie Preston
Published by Zonderkidz (2015)
ISBN-13: 9780310000884

Buy Thankful on Amazon | Book Depository

In Thankful, beloved children’s author and poet Eileen Spinelli teaches children about gratitude. Told in short, rhyming verses, this book celebrates the little things that we are grateful for. Archie Preston’s illustrations add a touch of tenderness in the story. The book also has a nice surprise for readers in the end.

Bear Says Thanks

Written by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books (2012)
ISBN-13: 9781416958567

Buy Bear Says Thanks on Amazon | Book Depository

Here’s another book that celebrates all the wonderful things that we should be grateful for! In Bear Says Thanks, Bear invites his friends over for dinner so he could thank them. All his dear friends showed up and each brought something to share with everybody. It was all fun and joy until Bear realized that his cupboard was empty! What will he do? Bear Says Thanks reminds me, in a way, of Oge Mora’s Thank You Omu, which I reviewed earlier this year. It also captures the essence of Friendsgiving, which should be celebrated every day.