THANK YOU, DAY! by Charlie Hopper and Penelope Dullaghan, Harry N. Abrams, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)

The natural world gets a high five in Thank You, Day! a love letter to the natural world by Charlie Hopper and Penelope Dullaghan.

Let’s hear it for the day, you all! With heartfelt feeling and joy, a kid gives kudos and kisses, hugs and high fives, shout-outs and simple thanks to everyday wonders in this sweet ode to slowing down, being present, and paying attention to the world around us. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

Thank You, Day! is an ode to our Earth. Each rhythmic line pays tribute to the natural world in a joyful, bouncy way. Author Charlie Hopper’s text is fun to read aloud. And Penelope Dullaghan’s bright and colorful illustrations exude happiness.

Thank You, Day! helps children recognize that gratitude extends beyond people and gifts.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WE GATHER TOGETHER (Young Readers Edition): Stories of Thanksgiving from Then to Now, by Denise Kiernan, Philomel Books, Sept. 26, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)

We Gather Together: Stories from Then to Now, by Denise Kiernan, tells the true story of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

Fiction: Thanksgiving is an American holiday that began when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and met the Indigenous tribes already living there.

Fact: Thanksgiving celebrations existed before the United States of America and were celebrated in other countries as well.

Fiction: American Thanksgiving was always on the fourth Thursday in November.

Fact: Thanksgiving’s day, date, and even its existence was at the discretion of the president and other leaders until the date was officially established by Congress and signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941.

Fiction: George Washington is the person who decided we should celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation at the same time each year.

Fact: Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and author, petitioned five presidents until she convinced Abraham Lincoln to declare a national day of Thanksgiving in November of 1863, starting an annual tradition continuing to this day.

There is much fiction surrounding the creation of Thanksgiving in America. Denise Kiernan debunks myths, provides facts, and explains how and why Thanksgiving evolved in the United States the way it did—and what gratitude means to society.  —Synopsis provided by Philomel Books

We Gather Together is the young readers adaptation of Denise Kiernan’s New York Times bestselling book of the same title for adults.

In her book Kiernan writes about how over the decades, Thanksgiving has been tweaked, reinvented and expanded to suit our culture, circumstances and traditions. The holiday came from different motivations and the idea of offering thanks isn’t a uniquely American concept. However, there was one woman who championed the idea, and one president who saw the need amongst great suffering to offer thanks. Together, they pushed forward this idea of sharing gratitude.

Kiernan’s writing is smooth and accessible. We Gather Together doesn’t read like it’s been adapted for middle readers, rather it feels as if it’s written exactly for them. It’s a fascinating nonfiction read that parents and kids alike will enjoy.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BEAR SAYS THANKS, by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcover, $9.99 (ages 2-5)

Bear has so much to give thanks for in the ninth offering of The Bear Books series by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, Bear Says Thanks.

 What better way for Bear to say thanks than over a nice, big dinner? Bear decides to throw a feast! One by one, Bear’s friends show up with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do? —Synopsis provided by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Bear Says Thanks is the perfect book for this time of year. Even though it’s not Thanksgiving specific, it helps set the tone for little ones.

Karma Wilson’s rhythmic text is fun to read aloud and moves the story forward. And the repetition of “And bear says, ‘Thanks!’” invites kids to take part.

Jane Chapman’s acrylic paintings are full of detail and life. Her characters are adorable and welcoming to new and old fans of the series.

Bear Says Thanks is great fun for any time of the year, but especially now, heading into the holiday season.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE THANK YOU BOOK, by Danna Smith and Juliana Perdomo, Little Simon, Sept. 6, 2022, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0 and up)

As we head into the season of giving thanks, Danna Smith and Juliana Perdomo’s The Thank You Book sets the tone.

“Thanking is easy. Thanking is fun.
It shows you are grateful when kind things are done.

From thanking your teacher for teaching, to thanking your vet for caring, from sharing a hug, to giving a card, this sweet book shows all the ways we can express gratitude. And as the book builds, so does the scale of the thanks, showing young readers that even if they start small, they can have a big impact. —Synopsis provided by Little Simon

Danna Smith’s rhythmic text is simple and fun to read aloud, and Juliana Perdomo’s sweet illustrations help set the tone. Bright colors and strong, graphic elements offer lots for kids to explore. Strong, chunky cardboard construction provide a sturdy product that should hold up to heavy use.

Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WE GIVE THANKS, by Cynthia Rylant and Sergio Ruzzier, Beach Lane Books, Sept. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 2-8)

Join two friends as they celebrate all the wonderful things to be thankful for in We Give Thanks, by Cynthia Rylant and Sergio Ruzzier.

“We give thanks for apple trees
and bushes filled with roses.
We give thanks for nice warm soup
and fires to warm our toeses”.

Follow two friends as they zip around town talking to all their pals about the things they love. The pair may even have a plan cooking to show everyone their gratitude! —Synopsis provided by Beach Lane Books

We Give Thanks is a sweet read that not only hits on thankfulness but inclusion, as well. The sparse text allows room for the tender illustrations to play out. It’s a lovely story that is great year-round, not just for Thanksgiving. The publisher’s suggested age range is 2-8, but I would say because of its simplicity, 2-6 is probably a better fit.

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THANKFUL, by Elaine Vickers and Samantha Cotterill, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Sept. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Thankful, a picture book by Elaine Vickers and Samantha Cotterill, celebrates the season of giving and reflection.

“I am thankful for a home where I am safe and warm.
Thankful for parents who read me stories and comb my hair gently, gently.
Who whisper the same poem every night when they tuck me in.”

When the first snow falls, a little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to another, her chain grows longer. There’s so much good in her life: a friend, things that are warm, things that are cold, color, things that can be fixed. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Thankful is a beautiful book from beginning to end. From the idea that, “Every year when the first snow falls, we make thankful chains to last us through December,” to listing all the things — big and small — to be grateful for, this book oozes joy and appreciation.

Elaine Vickers’ gentle and loving prose sets the framework for some amazing art by Samantha Cotterill. And when I say amazing, I mean it. Her hand built three-dimensional sets photographed with a digital SLR camera are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There’s such a sense of movement and space that you feel almost like you are watching a movie, even though the pages are static. It seriously is so cool.

I suggest buying Thankful not as a lead up to Thanksgiving but for the day itself. Reading it, and then creating your own chains for the month of December would be a great family activity — and I think for my family — the start of a new tradition.

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Thanks a Ton! By Sabringa Moyle and Eunice Moyle, Abrams Appleseed, Sept. 1, 2020, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 2 and up)

A young elephant works out the best way to share thanks in Thanks a Ton! the latest offering from Hello!Lucky team.

“Finding grateful words is tough. Sometimes I can’t say enough! How about some grateful stuff?”

Thank you letters just aren’t enough for this sweet elephant, so instead, he decides unusual gifts are in order: A terrapin for letting him win. A silly cockatoo for the time you cheered him up when he was blue, Or perhaps a tub of chimpanzees for saying please. A cow, hippo, rhino, St. Bernard and walrus all make an appearance, too. By the end, it’s a full-blown party for all the little things that made such a big difference.

Thanks a Ton! is an adorable picture book that’s full of giggles. With each expression of gratitude, the gestures get bigger and bolder, and so do the accompanying illustrations. This is exactly the sort of picture book that would have had my daughter giggling uncontrollably when she was younger. This would be a fun one to read leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

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FIVE LITTLE THANK-YOUS, by Cindy Jin and Dawn M. Cardona, Little Simon, Sept. 3, 2019, Board book, $7.99 (ages 0-5)

This short book of five important thank yous — family, food, friends, love and self — is a great introduction to the Thanksgiving holiday. Inspired by the construction paper Thanksgiving turkeys kids learn to draw with their hands, this novelty book has a collage art style that are bright and appealing.

The suggested age range is 0-5, and at first glance, it skews a bit younger. However, my 5-year-old was immediately drawn to it and was even inspired to create her own Thanksgiving art.

THE GOLDEN RULE, by Ilene Cooper and Gabi Swiatkowska, Harry N. Abrams, March 1, 2007, Hardcover, $17.95 (ages 1-8)

A young boy learns the meaning of the golden rule — So unto others as you would have them do unto you — from his grandfather. The golden rule, his grandfather explains, is a simple statement that can be practiced by everyone.

In a time when it seems like everyone is taking sides, this book is a simple reminder that kindness is is most often the best choice. Impressionist paintings are warm and inviting.

SWEEP, by Louise Greig and Julia Sarda, S&S Books for Young Readers, Sept. 3, 2019, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Ed’s bad mood begins as something really small, hardly a thing at all. But before long it grows, gathers pace, and spreads through the whole town. Can Ed sweep his troubles away?

Sweep is bold and charming and a perfect way to help children visualize feelings. The vibrant colors and striking illustrations are delightful.

GULP, GOBBLE (READY-TO-READS), by Marilyn Singer and Kathryn Durst, Simon Spotlight, Sept. 24, 2019, Softcover, $4.99 (ages 3-5)

Gulp, Gobble brings a whole host of animals to a picnic. This is a perfect feast for beginning readers that features 24 rhyming words and pronunciation guide. See how a frog “gulps,” a shark “gobbles,” a chicken “pecks,” and more.

The bold colors and charming illustrations are a great compliments to the text.

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