TIMELY THANKSGIVING TITLES by Sherri Jones Rivers

      Fall is a wonderful, refreshing time of the year and especially the Thanksgiving season and all it means to friends and family. Lots of great children's books are out there that celebrate the season. I contacted the children's librarian, Heather McCue, in Columbia, SC, at the Richland County Library. They have a fabulous, up-to-date collection of kidlit books. She was gracious enough to send me a list of the more popular books in her downtown library. She broke them down into three categories--Families and Food, Gratitude, and Thanksgiving. I decided to pick two from each group. You may have your own favorites, but maybe you will add some of these to your list.

                                                              FAMILIES AND FOOD

All for Pie, Pie for all by David Martin.

This  is a cute book with whimsical illustrations that are detailed and denote a warm and cozy feeling. An especially good book for preschoolers that features animals--cats, mice, and ants. Each group feasts on the Thanksgiving pie leftovers, with the ants finishing the last crumbs. I could see children joining in on the repeated phrases--Little brother ate a piece, big sister ate a piece, momma cat ate a piece, poppa cat ate a piece and Grandma cat ate a piece. Once the pie is gone, hunger sets in and with a joint effort from the cats, the mice and the ants, a fresh pie is produced--this time it's blueberry.

Grandma's Tiny House by Janay Brown Wood 

This is a sweet story I think children can relate to. Even

though social distancing seems to be in order for now, they can remember times of big family get-togethers and

can look forward to more in the future. The cast of diverse characters gives children their place in the book. The rhyme draws you in and it's nice to have a counting book that goes past the number ten. There is always something new in the illustrations that the reader may not have noticed before. The young reader will be excited to see that a child has the solution for the too-full house.

                                                                      GRATITUDE

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorrell.

This book rings true because Traci's mom was a part of the Cherokee nation, and Traci herself lives within that nation. The book starts with fall, since that represents the Cherokee New Year, and goes through each season with bright and colorful illustrations of everyday things that are celebrated. This book is good for all ages and introduces Cherokee culture in a charming and relatable way. For added interest, the illustrator decided to put a pileated woodpecker in each spread so the reader would have something to look forward to.

Gracias Thanks by Pat Moira 

A young Mexican/Caucasian boy shares everyday things to be grateful for. The acrylic illustrations by John Parra are full of fun details that pop with color and vibrancy. From the moment he wakes up to the bright sunshine's warmth until he goes to bed to the sound of chirping crickets, he gives thanks for the things and people in his life. The poetic writing on each page gives us the Spanish version of what's being said. (I got to practice my Spanish) This bilingual book would be a great read-aloud for classroom story time. The author's endnote challenges the reader to make a list of what he's thankful for.

                                                                    THANKSGIVING

One is a Feast for Mouse by Judy Cox.

What a fun book with lively and engaging illustrations. Mouse peeps out of his hidey hole and spies the leftovers of a big Thanksgiving feast. One green pea catches his eye and seems to be the perfect feast for one little mouse. Or is it? Reading the online reviews, I especially liked one idea of a home-schooling mom who concocted a sequencing activity. She traced the  mouse and drew a picture of each food that he adds to his stack. The kids colored and cut out the mouse, along with the foods. Then, she had them recall the foods added and glue each item  in order, just like in the book. Maybe some other families would like to try this idea.

I Know an Old Woman who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson 

Lots of versions of the "Old Lady" stories exist, but this one is perfectly suited for a Thanksgiving read. Things that might show up on the readers' table are mentioned here--pie, turkey, squash, salad, rolls, etc. The illustrations are whimsical and chaotically fun, getting more and more ridiculous. The ending is clever as she is finally big enough to be a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. In a review, one mother said she made a cardboard cut-out of the old lady, cut out a stomach, and let the kids draw and color their favorite foods to "feed" her with. Cute idea for a theme-related activity.

Some other books you might want to add to your list are Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson, and Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller. Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

Thanksgiving Wishes ~By Suzy Leopold

Thanksgiving is a special time of the year to express gratitude as family and friends gather together to celebrate.

Why do many give thanks only once a year on the third Thursday of November? There is power in giving thanks every day. Research indicates the importance of giving thanks makes one happier, healthier, and more productive.

My list of gratitude is long. It includes: 

1. My husband Perry, who believes in me
2. A loving family that includes seven grands
3. Our son who is serving in the United States Air Force
4. Good health and happiness
5. The freedom to make choices
6. A garden on the Illinois Prairie that produces fresh, organic vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
7. Opportunities to share my love of reading and literacy with young adults at Lincoln Land Community College and my [after school elementary level] reading buddies
8. Story time at Afterwords Book Store and much more.

Airman Nathan

I'm also thankful to read, write, and create every day.

Homemade pumpkin pie

May I serve you?

Do hope you can spend some time reading and writing this Thanksgiving weekend. Grab some leftovers, a piece of paper and pen or your computer.

Perhaps you will:

1. Create a gratitude list
2. Write about your Thanksgiving traditions
3. Interview family members at your Thanksgiving table.
4. Set new writing goals

And as you write, think about how thankful you are to express yourself. 

"Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity; it must be produced and discharged, and used up in order to exist at all."

~William Faulkner

Autumn creation

Celebrate the meaning of Thanksgiving throughout the year.

Thanksgiving Break This Week - by Kathy Halsey

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving week. The GROG is taking a breather in order to find our giblets, stretchy pants, and stuffing recipes. 

We are very thankful to you, our readers and followers, for supporting us by sharing posts and adding comments. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday.

Photography by Leslie Colin Tribble

When we return look forward to posts like these:

• Guest blogger Pamela Courtney
• An interview with Nancy Churnin
• Guest post by Heather Preusser on beat sheets and how they can strengthen your manuscript

Thanksgiving? Writers Giving! You Giving? by Kathy Halsey

Often we writers are on the chase, like Mr. Gobble here. We chase ideas, stories, our next dream. But, sometimes we come together for a cause, like this writer, Lynn Kelley, who represents many giving writers who've created an anthology, KISSED BY AN ANGEL, the brainchild of writer/mother Robyn Campbell. 

Lynn Kelley

Christopher, Robyn's son, has Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting the brain which causes calcification of the brain, and blood vessels, but he has powered through with family and friends to live as normally as possible. He even has his black belt! Robyn says others with Sturge-Weber have seizures, blindness, strokes, blood clots and more. Robyn will tell you that her son, Christopher, is the hero, but they are both worthy of that title in MY book.

ALL the proceeds from KISSED BY AN ANGEL will be donated to the Sturge-Weber Foundation to benefit others. Check out that foundation link and their motto, "The stronger the wind, the tougher the trees." We writers all know about tough times in trenches, but what if people whispered about you, made fun of you to the point you had to ask Mom,"Why am I so different?" That's when Robyn told Christopher, who has a port wine stain over much of his body, that he was "touched by an angel." Thus begins the anthology's first story of Christopher as told by Robyn. I have read it with the accompanying photos and it is a hero's journey indeed! 

Most of these tales feature middle grade main characters who are gifted or have exceptional powers. In this 159 page-turner, you'll find code breakers, time machines, undercover agents, and even a fishy mystery. A kid lit writer who is a "kid" himself, Erik Weibel, is part of this awesome group of writers, many whom you know from Facebook:Yvette Carol, Catherine Johnson, Lynn Kelley, Teresa Robeson, Theresa Milstein, Suzy Levinson, Vivian Kirkfield, Ellen Warach Leventhal, Hope Lim, and Cheryl Secomb. 

Randomly generated by Worlde

So while you're munching on cold turkey sandwiches, watching football, or Black Friday shopping, put this anthology on your list as a holiday book that will benefit so many. The book's publication date is tentatively set for December 13, so stay tuned to the GROG for more info. I am grateful to be writing a post on all these heroes, writers, and of course, Christopher.

First People/American Indians/Native Americans in October/November + All Year Round

First People/American Indians/Native Americans

In October/November + All Year Round

by J.G. Annino

            SCBWI co-founder Lin Oliver is known for saying that

writers of picture books should read, digest & understand (not skim)

at least 100 picture books before attempting to write one. If they aspire to

publish a mighty fine p.b. of their own.

            Borrowing a page from Lin Oliver, today’s column suggests 

knowing, indepth, 100 books. On the Native American topic.

            Here are resources so that illustrators & writers, for children, can glean

100 great titles  & resources backed by authenticity on the topic of Native

Americans/First Peoples/American Indians.  And teachers & librarians not

writing for children may also enjoy time spent with the resources, too.

            Seeking out new titles, or, titles new to you, although written by Native

Americans decades back, helps counter books that don’t stand up to critical scrutiny.

Websites on the topic, operated by Tribe museums or Tribe governments are also

resources for titles & other information.

            It may just be that after reading 100, or 100+  titles, a writer may feel

that a book for children could emerge in better shape as a collaborative effort,

or at least with review during the process, by a Tribe member/Tribe staff who have

authentic deep connection.

                                                 How to Find Titles

CYNTHIA LEITICH SMITH – Longtime, active & supportive SCBWI member.

An award-winning children’s author with Native American heritage. Her pages offer

many fine resources.

http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/diversity/native_am/nat_lit/native_lit_novels.html

AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE –Dr. Debbie Reese who

created & administers this encyclopedic site, is an enrolled Nambe Pueblo Tribe member & an expert on children’s literature. On the right hand side of the AICL resource, find articles & pages, such as books by grade & how to evaluate a book on a Native American topic. Also note her tabs at the top, where there is also a world of illumination such as, “We are not people of color.” If time is really limited, that one article can be a game-changer.

http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/

OYATE – A site operated by Tribe members who specialize in evaluating

books on Native American/First Peoples topics, especially for school age.

http://oyate.org/index.php/workshops

            Below is a book I’m currently enjoying.

           

            Memoirs, written by Native Americans/First Peoples, help us understand the benefit for
the eventual child readers, if non-natives, or those without deep Tribe connections, such as years
teaching American Indian students, collaborate with Tribe members, in crafting books for children.

           

My Indian Boyhood – Chief Luther Standing Bear (Lakota name, OTA K’TE)

Univeristy of Nebraska Press

“The first white men to come to this country thought they had discovered

India, a land they had been searching for, so they named the people they

found here Indians. Through the mistake of these first white settlers, we have

been called Indians ever since.” c. Chief Luther Standing Bear

Topics covered include - food traditions, riding his dear pony in a way nearly invisible
to anyone by clinging to the side, only one leg slung over the animal’s back at full speed
from age six, survival skills for a child alone on the Plains, high standards of cleanliness,
using plants for perfumes & much more is covered in an eloquent way.

                                    THANKSGIVING ALERT!

            If you are wondering about the timing of this post, it appears

on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 the famous Columbus Day in the great U.S.A.

It is also published early enough that if you seek titles to read in school

or share with young people at Thanksgiving, you can use these resources.

            It’s awkward for our profession to know that some well-intentioned 

Thanksgiving holiday books have sections that may not stand up to solid 

critique, applied by American Indians in Children’s Literature, Oyate & similar 

expert sites. 

            Once I answered a challenge about these ideas from a fine person, a children’s 

writer appearing at the same time I was at a big city book festival. The writer thought to 

change (“retell,” in the writer’s word) a Native American teaching that this writer termed 

a legend. It was a sacred teaching received by young Tribe members from Elders; not 

something to change. It was not thought of that way by the writer, who seemed frustrated 

that a Tribe member might not be thrilled with any attention given to the Tribe by a traditionally published children’s author.  My understanding was that an editor had already turned down the project, citing similar reasons. I said,  “We don’t know, what we don’t know.”

                                     Some Thanksgiving Information

            http://oyate.org/index.php/resources/43-resources/thanksgiving

              Also, American Indians in Children's Literature has several articles about
Thanksgiving books for schools and children.

 

            There are at least 500 recognized Tribes in North America. Their

traditions, history & status is complex & fascinating to study. I am only

beginning to learn.

                                    So, Why I Am Writing This?

            One of our group members thoughtfully suggested the topic.

            I waved my hand. In a long literary odyssey, I worked with a Tribe
member/family members & that person’s Tribe museum, (affiliated with the Smithsonian)
to bring an eye-opening p. b. biography to children in 2010. It is in print & used
in many classrooms and libraries. Although it received good national & state
recognition, the honor that I held my breath to receive, is that it is sold in the
Tribe’s museum bookstore & was promoted to their membership.  The family
sent me a kind note after publication.

            I appreciate you for being interested in the American Indian/Native American/
First Peoples topic.  Happy Columbus Day!