About the Holiday
November has been designated as a time for reflecting on our lives and being grateful for our family, friends, opportunities, and the things we have. To celebrate Gratitude Month, take time to count your blessings every day and thank those who are important in your life.
Thankful Thanksgiving
Written by Deb Adamson | Illustrated by Benedetta Capriotti
A little mouse is excited to share what they love best about Thanksgiving Day, starting with “Hooray for our time together and those who’ve come to play!” As the house fills up with family and friends, they counts all of their blessings, from the music the group sings and dances along with to the parade and game they watch together to that favorite adult who still acts like a kid.
Image copyright Bendetta Capriotti, 2022, text copyright Deb Adamson, 2022. Courtesy of Cottage Door Press.
The little mouse doesn’t forget those who are preparing today’s feast, and as he helps too he says, “I’m thankful for those in the kitchen creating the meal we will share… / like apple chews and pumpkin stew and nut pies baked with care.” At last, they sit down to eat, but first they “bow our heads to pray…” and “…share a thought from our thankful hearts for our blessings every day.”
After dinner, it’s time to bundle up and go outside to catch falling leaves, toss the football around, and, for the littlest ones, be treated to piggyback rides. When it’s time for everyone to leave, the little mouse is thankful for the memories they’ve made again this year.
Image copyright Bendetta Capriotti, 2022, text copyright Deb Adamson, 2022. Courtesy of Cottage Door Press.
Deb Adamson’s adorable and heartwarming story introduces little readers to the true meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday as a young mouse shares their excitement in getting together with family and friends—some of whom they may not see often. Her sweet rhyming verses burst with love and include a range of activities that allow kids to see their own celebrations within the pages (or talk about what other families also enjoy about the day). Adamson also reminds little ones that while Thanksgiving Day comes to an end, their memories of special times spent together will always be with them.
Little ones will be delighted with Benedetta Capriotti’s cozy illustrations of the mouse family’s tree-trunk home with its whimsical and rustic décor. Her rich color palette envelopes readers in the warmth and feelings of the holiday that swell children’s hearts. Capriotti gave the small narrator of the story a distinctive outfit, making it easy for young readers to find him on every page. Each room of the house is also filled with familiar holiday sights that little ones will be excited to recognize and talk about.
A sweet and cozy story that will charm little ones for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, Thankful Thanksgiving will also be a welcome addition to home and library collections for families to share all they have to be thankful for throughout the year.
Ages 2 – 4
Cottage Door Press, 2022 | ISBN 978-1646386499 (Board Book)
Discover more about Deb Adamson and her books on her website.
You can connect with Benedetta Capriotti on Instagram.
National Gratitude Month Activity
Alphabet I Spy Gratitude Game
Things to be thankful for are all around you! What do you see? Kids can have fun naming people, toys, food, and other favorites that start with each letter in the alphabet with this printable game! Makes a fun activity for Thanksgiving Day too to keep kids happily busy while preps are going on—or at the kids’ table!
You can find Thankful Thanksgiving at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million
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Picture Book Review
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