Welcome to Turkey Time! Years ago, a friend from Oregon sent me a Thanksgiving card. On the outside it said, “I’m so thankful that Thanksgiving comes in November…” and on the inside of the card it said, “Cause that’s when TURKEYS ARE RIPE!” Funny stuff, that right there girls.
I truly miss reading to children this time of year. One of my all time favorite Thanksgiving stories is titled, Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Note of interest: Laurie is a descendant of Sarah Halse.
This is the true story of Sarah Josepha Halse, a lady editor of a women’s magazine in the 18th Century, who felt that Thanksgiving should be a national holiday. At that time, they were celebrating in the area of Plymouth, but not so much across the nation. However, Sarah was a strong, determined, smart, and very brave woman. Strong and determined because she picked up her pen, and wrote to five Presidents of the United States, petitioning for 35 years, to make this happen! Smart, because she recognized that she needed help, and brave because she asked the women in America to help her, through the magazine articles she wrote. Finally, our dear President Abraham Lincoln agreed, and carried out Sarah’s wish. (I also read that she felt that celebrating Thanksgiving would serve as a tribute to God.) I like that. Also, at the end of the story, it reminds us that this is a celebration for all, no matter, race, color, or political leanings.
You and the kiddos will LOVE the hilarious illustrations, which combine the 1800’s and modern times. There is also included a “Feast of Facts” page to teach you more about the historical context. This book is a “keeper” and I hope you will pick up a copy and read it to your families.
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Common Core Curriculum: Social Studies
- Ages: 5-8, but I read it to 5th and 6th grade students.
- Discussion Topic: “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.”
- Reviews: Out of 280 reviews it received 4 1/2 stars, but for MYself, this is an all-time 5 star.
- For YOURselves, you sweet grannies, you might want to wander over to Wikipedia, or other online sources and read about all the wonderful things that Sarah Hale accomplished in her life. She led an inspiring life, and yielded a great influence on the women of her time and ours. Besides…included in her poems, is “Mary had a Little Lamb!” See there…you already know something awesome about her. Oh! And after we eat that wonderful dinner, maybe we should all say, “Thank You Sarah!”
Be Brave. Be Smart! Be Strong and Determined. Have a very nice Thanksgiving, and remind your grand-darlings not to eat TOO much or their belly buttons will pop off. Ha ha! Oh, I amuse myself.
https://youtu.be/N7WapOYZhpU
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