Family, Friendship and Apple Pie

New Books Highlight Things to Be Thankful For            Sarah Gives Thanks

By Mike AllegraIllustrated by David Gardner

Best for: Ages 4-8

            This quick biography of Sarah Josepha Hale is a perfect read for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Why? Well, Hale was known for more than writing “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She also was the driving force behind making Thanksgiving a national holiday.

             Sarah Gives Thanks is a fascinating look at women and families in pre-Civil War America. Sarah was a feminist before the term was coined. She had no formal education but was a voracious reader and taught herself everything she needed to know to succeed. When her husband died, she had to work to make ends meet for her household of five children. She wrote and published a book of poems and eventually became the editor of a new publication, Ladies’ Magazine.

             Her publishing career gave her influence in households and businesses, and she decided to use that influence with presidents, as well. Over the years, she wrote and petitioned four different presidents in the hopes of making Thanksgiving a national holiday. Finally, Abraham Lincoln took notice, and in 1863 Hale’s dream became a reality. So those of us who love Thanksgiving need to say a big thank you to Sarah Josepha Hale this year.

             What’s good: Great message about hard work and perseverance.

             What’s bad: More of a biography than a holiday book.           


            The Year Comes Round: Haiku Through the Seasons

By Sid FarrarIllustrated by Ilse Plume

Best for: Ages 5-7

            Haiku and children are not usually two words that belong in the same sentence. Why is that? Most young children only like poetry if it has red fish and blue fish or dogs constantly on the go. In this case, your children will be as enthralled by Plume’s gentle seasonal snapshots as by the nature-inspired prose. 

             In all, there are 13 haiku across 12 illustrated spreads. Each one represents a month of the year. Plus, there is a bonus haiku in the back of the book. From fireflies and thunderstorms to jack-o’-lanterns and brown bears, the poems take the reader on a journey, which covers the cycle of life on planet Earth.

            The poems are not titled, nor are they labeled for a specific month. This makes for a fun game and discussion to see whether you can match each month with a haiku.

             What’s good: Great book for a bedtime story.   

             What’s bad: It’s difficult for adults to understand haiku, let alone children.


            Dogs of War

By Sheila KeenanIllustrated by Nathan Fox

Best for: Boys, ages 9-14

             This graphic novel tells the story of three dogs in three major wars: World War I, World War II and Vietnam. Each tale highlights the bond between a soldier and man’s best friend. The art draws you in and conveys the emotion with strength and compassion. From the Christmas truce in trenches at Ypres in 1914 to a southern trailer park after Vietnam, these tales help new generations understand the toll of war and the sacrifices that were made by both man and dog.

              The back of the graphic novel holds a very in-depth author’s note, as well as a couple pages of books, DVDs and websites that offer further information about both dogs in war and other events of wars past.

             What’s good: Great art and strong emotional bond to the characters.

             What’s bad: The graphic novel format keeps the stories a little thin.