Giving Thanks

This is a simple book to read through for younger children. Written by native Americans it is a "thanksgiving" book from their point of view, why native americans have always celebrated thanksgiving. It has no mention of pilgrams or not fully proven, overly romanticized stories as most thanksgivings are but simply a beautiful description of the season, the great harvest and respect for the world around them. A book of why the Native Americans Gave thanks during this beautiful season.

A simple but truly beautiful and wonderful book. To read with your children every morning and express thanks to the world, promoting connectedness and deep respect of all things. Teaching our children these important words will doubtlessly take us through these rough times and make the world as beautiful and peaceful as it was intended to be.

I was blown away by this book and was proud to add it to my bookshelf. I am glad that publishers are letting REAL Native American writers and artists tell our own stories our own way. The Thanksgiving Address is a central component of Mohawk culture and I was proud to see this in the hands of my children. This and SKYWOMAN by Joanne Shenandoah, Douglas George, John Fadden and Dave Fadden have set a new standard in the publishing of Native American culture and art. Now, if only some publisher would accept the challenge to do the same with Native American history...(hint hint!)

I am an early childhood teacher who wanted to read books having to do with gratitude. Believe it or not, there are very few children's books on the subject, other than anthologies of children's prayers. It is a wonderful book to read for Thanksgiving, with an ecology unit, or simply to promote wonder and thanksgiving. I am delighted to be able to incorporate this book into my classroom.

Chief Jake Swamp and Erwin Printup Jr. combine their talents to create a book that will be an instant bedtime favorite. The traditional Mohawk thanksgiving address is translated into easy to understand words (the original address, written in Mohawk is included at the back of the book). Richly colored illustrations bring the words to life and invite more than a fleeting casual glance. Chief Jake Swamp has brilliantly captured the essence of his heritage without losing site of his target audience. Each portion of the address is simply stated, and easy to understand. "Giving Thanks" could easily have become redundant, but the words are translated in such a way that encourages children to "join" their parents in reading out loud. Erwin Printup Jr. has created illustrations that capture the eye of both young and old. While the younger set will find the pictures simple and pretty, the older set will often find a picture within a picture. The style of Mr. Printup's illustrations is perfect for this type of book, and could easily stand alone in art gallery. These two Native Americans have allowed the rest of the world to see an important part of their heritage. The pictures and words will be remembered long after the last page is turned