Friday, November 16, 2012

PPBF: The Very First Thanksgiving Day



Welcome to another Perfect Picture Book Friday, inspired by children's picture book author, Susanna Hill.  Each Friday, we review a children's book of our choice and include links to crafts and other activities. Check out her comprehensive list of books categorized by subject for Teachers, Librarians and Parents here.




Author: Rhonda Gowler Greene
Illustrator: Susan Gaber
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date: 2002

Ages: 4 to 8

First lines:

This is the very first Thanksgiving Day.
This is the food, gathered and blessed,
the corn and sweet berries, the wild turkey dressed,
shared on the very first Thanksgiving Day.

From the Front Flap:

The story of the first Thanksgiving celebration, told in cumulative rhyme, introduces young readers to America's most beloved national tradition, which began with a shared feast to rejoice in the bounty of
the land, new beginnings, and peace between two societies.

Exquisite paintings by Susan Gaber transport the reader back to the earliest days of American history with meticulous detail and breathtaking imagery.  Sure to be a yearly favorite, The Very First Thanksgiving Day will resonate with readers young and old on this day for thanks and blessings.


Why I like this book:

The illustrations are gorgeous and realistic. The pilgrims seem to speak to me from the page!  The story is simple and accurate, and told in a charming way.  It promises to engage even the youngest child.


Here are a few activities for the Thanksgiving season:


http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/thanksgiving/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/

http://christianity.about.com/od/thanksgiving/tp/funthanksgiving.htm

http://ministry-to-children.com/thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids/


Happy Thanksgiving!!



12 comments:

  1. Thanks, Jarm, I shall definitely read this for an accurate telling of the first Thanksgiving by the new settlers.

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  2. I really like Susan Gaber's art, so I hope I can find this one at my library!

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    1. I hope so too, Julie! Her art is indeed beautiful...

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  3. Several of us seemed to follow similar themes today. And each book so different. Love that this one is rhyme and that itis something adults would enjoy. The art does look stunning.

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    1. Yes...great writer minds think alike! Thanks for stopping, Pat!

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  4. I love the fact that the author used cumulative rhyme. This looks like a great find. Thanks, Jarm.

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  5. Ooh, I'll have to check this one out! I always love finding holiday titles I haven't read, and I love the idea of the first Thanksgiving in cumulative rhyme. Thanks for sharing, Jarm!

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    1. I'm glad this is a new title for you, Susanna...I tend to think you have read them all by now, but I know that would be impossible!

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  6. This looks great, and wow, cumulative rhyme. I'm looking for cumulative tales to study and will add this one to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!

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    1. Glad it's helpful, Carrie...I didn't know cumulative rhyme would be so popular!

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I would love to have you comment...thanks!

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