Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman
Teresa Murfin (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Carolrhoda Books (September 1, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This book rules. The title’s double entendre because these are the definitive survival rules for this holiday that rules. Be helpful because it’s the fastest way to the food. And, make sure you give everyone an endearing squeeze, except for those who ate too much at Thanksgiving (they get a simple peck on the cheek). Every kid needs to read this book because to maximize their holiday experience and, even if it is for appearance sake only, be declared the best kid in the world by all of the visiting relatives. Pure fun and pure genius.

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God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Candlewick Press, 2008

Recommended readers:  ages 3-6

Cautions:  all clear

Kiwi Magazine Review

What does God dream about?  God dreams about people sharing, people caring and reaching out to hold one another’s hands.  This book isn’t specific to one holiday or one religion, but it would make a lovely gift to young and old to remind us all that everyone is equal, everyone is special and we should savor the time we spend with our brothers and sisters, discovering the similarities and enjoying the differences. LeUyen Pham’s childlike illustrations perfectly accompany the text.

Publisher’s Description:

With warmth and humor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distills his philosophy of unity and forgiveness into a picture book for the very young.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has a vision of God’s dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other’s hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they’re sorry and forgive. It’s a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand.

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Celebrate Green by Corey Colwell- Lipson and Lynn Colwell

Kedzie Press, 2008

Recommended readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publisher’s description:

Not only is this book bursting with tips and ideas for celebrating green, but it boasts recipes, craft projects, and actual facts! Yes! If you’re interested in the “why’s” behind their alternatives, you’ll find them. If you only want to figure out what the heck to get your mother-in-law for Christmas that will make her sing your praises to her son without costing you or the planet, it’s there too.

Celebrate Green! is sprinkled with personal anecdotes because, as amazing as it may seem, Corey and Lynn are real, live human beings. You get to meet, know and (hopefully) enjoy them through the book. And once you know them, you’ll begin to fall for their ideas even if you’re a bit skeptical at first. They don’t hit you over the head and make you feel like a complete eco-idiot for not jumping on your bicycle, and heading to the food co-op to stock up on a year’s worth of beeswax birthday candles. They simply offer you so many sensible, interesting, and creative ideas that you’ll find it hard to resist trying some of them.

KIWI Bookworm review:

The mother and daughter team offer a myriad of suggestions to green holiday décor, gifts and meals throughout the year. Instead of falling into old habits of mall dash then trash, the authors offer unique, low-impact ideas for every special occasion wrapped up in recycled paper and a repurposed bow.

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The Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Atheneum, 2002

Recommended ages: 3-6

Cautions: All Clear

Description

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

Join author Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrator Susan Gaber on a journey back to the very first Thanksgiving Day, when two societies came together to feast and honor the earth’s bounty in peace.

Kiwi Magazine Review

This simple, rhyming text tells the story of the first Thanksgiving beautifully, complete with colorful illustrations.  From the trip across the sea to the loving guidance of the Native Americans, see the bounty of food, friendship and fortune that marks this special day.

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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Recommended – whole family

Cautions: All clear

Description from producer

This sweet, heartwarming 1973 offering from the Peanuts gang (and Charles Schultz) once again shows Charlie Brown in a pickle, as his erstwhile friends impose upon the hapless would-be-host to provide a memorable and traditional Thanksgiving feast. And as much as Charlie Brown would rather forget the whole thing, he just can’t help but try for fear of being labeled a failure. Ultimately it’s up to Snoopy and Woodstock to save Charlie from certain embarrassment, and it falls to Linus to impart to all assembled the true meaning of Thanksgiving. This very special Emmy Award-winning cartoon features the usual sweet unassuming humor that only the Peanuts can provide, along with the melodic Vince Guaraldi score, and is one of those childhood classics meant to be enjoyed again and again.

Kiwi Magazine Review

Many parents grew up with the Peanuts gang and we waited anxiously for the holiday specials on television. Although Peanuts has kept up with the times technologically (now on DVD!), this sweet special will catapult you back to simpler times. Lucy still won’t let Charlie Brown kick the ball and Linus is still the blanket-sporting virtuoso. We put the kids to bed and then watched it again and again.

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