As we walk through the month of November toward Thanksgiving, the cultural weight of the holiday is considered. Many Native Americans do not “celebrate” Thanksgiving as it is celebrated in mainstream American culture – but Native Americans are central to the Thanksgiving story highlighted in many of the books on the children’s market.
The text of Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message is based on the Thanksgiving Address, an “ancient message of peace and appreciation to Mother Earth and all her inhabitants,” from the indigenous people known as the Haudenosee, Iroquois or Six Nations of Upstate New York and Canada.
Along with illustrations of people in harmony with the natural world, the book offers a rich perspective on the concept of gratitude that invites children and families to think about giving thanks in a holistic way. which recognizes the experiences of the first people of our country.
For more books that teach about the Native American perspective on Thanksgiving and offer new traditions to incorporate, see resources here and here.
Find the Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message at your local library, or purchase at your local independent bookstore or online at Powell’s.com.
