Mid-November Means…

When I was in elementary school in the ’70s, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving we attended school! It was a half-day, as I recall, and the whole morning was an all-school feast in the gymnasium, all our chairs lining the walls and facing center court. The feast was much longed for and looked forward to — it was simple and thrilling to us. All week, each class made one of the dishes to serve to all; in Kindergarten, we made real applesauce. The hallways were warm and rich with good, homey smells.

Thanksgiving school break is now a week, giving families time to travel, and while we grew up with books like “Pilgrims” by N.C. Wyeth (his evocation of the feast is the opening image), there are fabulous newer titles for this season that focus on Native American life at the time and their culture for gratefulness and respect for the seasons.

Because I believe Thanksgiving break is an ideal time for some quiet moments and family gatherings, I really put my heart into our children’s Thanksgiving picture books. I raised my kids with “Thanksgiving at the Tappleton’s” and “Cranberry Thanksgiving,” so I stocked up on those, but there are too many great ones to mention for you to browse. As anticipation for next Thursday builds (Turkey Day is early this year, the 23rd!) and your kitchen begins to bustle, do treasure the days and that precious reading time with your littles. Below’s a video of me last night mooning over the Thanksgiving table; take a look!

Warmest wishes! Fondly, Sandy

PS: only 3 spots left for our Santa visits on Sunday, November 26 and one or two for the December 3 or December 10 visits, so email today if you want an in with the big man: santa@prairiepathbooks.com.