Giving Thanks

by Jonathan London, Gregory Manchess (Illustrator)

A father passes on to his son the gift of seeing the beauty around him - and giving thanks.

Thank you, Mother Earth.
Thank you, Father Sky.
Thank you for this day.

How can a young boy ever show his gratitude for all the beauty he sees? He will learn from his father, who thanks the earth and the sky, the frogs and the crickets, the hawk and the deer, even the trees that wave their arms in the breeze. Majestic as the most beautiful autumn day and filled with glimpses of favorite woodland animals, GIVING THANKS is truly a gift to readers from nature-lover Jonathan London and master painter Gregory Manchess.

Genres: Picture Books, Thanksgiving, Nature, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Native American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2003

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite like this simple story. The broad-stroked paintings beautifully illustrate the elegance of nature, particularly in the Autumn shift from Summer to Winter. I valued the focus on gratitude for nature (especially when so many children list thanks for fleeting material goods), and I appreciated the calm serenity of the text. In addition, unlike other readers (see other comments), I appreciated the boy stating his discomfort and embarrassment with his father's practice of thanking natural objects and creatures. For me, this expression of discomfort highlighted some of the disconnection many children experience between themselves and the natural world, and it acknowledged that giving thanks to nature is often counter-culture to what many children see through the example of others. If this book encourages them to even consider what it would be like to give thanks to or for the natural world, I think that is a valuable thought process to consider. All-in-all, my students like the art, the art calms them (for which I give thanks), and I like the message. Thumbs up.

[Jennifer J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun nature-themed book about saying thank you to the earth.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The realistic illustrations of a boy and his father experiencing nature together are the highlight of this book. As the father thanks Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon, though, I find myself agreeing with the little boy in the book, who thinks "it's a little embarassing to say thanks to trees and things." He says his father is giving thanks like his Indian friends, but thanking the animals, insects and trees felt awkward to me. I would have enjoyed the book much more if the father had just said he was grateful for the sun, the moon, and all of nature rather than imparting an inauthentic Native American spirituality to it.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a father and son who are taking a hike. During the hike, the father says thank you to the earth, sun, moon and various plants and animals. It's his way for expressing his gratitude for the bountiful nature that is a gift.

While we enjoyed reading this story together, I suspect our girls would think it very strange if I thanked everything we saw along our hikes. This is not specifically about the Thanksgiving holiday, but the book has some autumn illustrations and would be very appropriate at this time of year.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice read for the Thanksgiving season. The story is simple and calming, as a father and child go for a hike and appreciate and thank the many parts of nature that they encounter. I found the child’s remark that it was embarrassing to see their father thanking the various elements was relatable. I’d personally have found it so as a child and maybe even now. But I think it shows the father’s mindset which is mature and humble. There’s some vague allusion to a Native American relationship with nature. I’m not sure how I feel about this since it’s not very specific, but it seems to mean something to the author. I found the illustrations to be nice, with a softness that made them feel like a fond memory.

[Danielle Gibbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a nature loving pagan so I thought this might be nice for the kids. Unfortunately it just didn't work for us. I see what they were going for but it felt clunky, the artwork, whilst beautiful, didn't fit for a children's book, it didn't grab the kids interest.

The first page and the second to last one were the best of the book, outlining that nature is a gift and we should give thanks, and then that it can be embarrassing but it's a good habit. But everything in-between felt repetitive.

[E · Rating 1 out of 5]

5 stars for the beautiful illustrations. Can't recommend this book because the book shows characters thanking "Mother Earth, Father Sky" and other beings in nature. We changed the words to thank GOD for each thing, but this isn't a book I'd recommend.

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful realistic large scale illustrations. Father & son go on a high and the father gives thanks to all things large and small. The son expresses embarrassment about this (relatable) but that his dad says it makes you feel good. The son then gives thanks as well. Great message.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

London Odyssey #54
A book about having gratitude and giving thanks, and that is important, the issue is it is all about thanks to the creation, when we should be giving thanks to the creator.
Disappointing.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book about the native American practice of giving thanks for everything.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the concept of being grateful for nature and all it does for us, but somehow this story bored me. I found the illustrations annoying for some reason, they're just not my style.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different but interesting book about giving thanks.

[Elijah Zarate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to read things like this every now and then. 7/10

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous book to share in the Thanksgiving/Fall Season, or really any time of the year. A relationship between a father and child (in this case father and son) is a special bond and they are real sponges to what they can soak up and learn in the right environment. The paintings of this picture book are my favorite part, but the story and learning about giving thanks in anything and everything around us is good as well. Definitely one we'll pull out year after year.

*Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing a copy for review.*

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Livvie Esslinger]

This is about a walk that a father and a son go on. The father is setting an example of how we need to give thanks to mother earth by thanking all of nature. He says it makes him feel good. So, he thanks everything they see in nature on their walk. Even though the son is a tad bit embarrassed, he thanks the stars as they are nearing home.

This book was a cute story, and I thought the illustrations were beautiful! However, the theme of praising mother nature as a "God" figure, kid of messed with my mind.

I might not use this one, except for the pictures.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a boy and his father move through the woods and across the fields, the father expresses gratitude to the animals and trees along their pathway. By the end of the journey, the boy, too, has learned how to express his appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds them. Excellent reminders of the beauty that surrounds us if we only care to look, the illustrations, rendered in oil on linen, are lovely.

[Sherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of the book is laudable in it's intentions but I found it too bland. By incorporating a specified perspective; it seems to have deleted any impact the story might have had. "Thanks" didn't seem to be the focus of the theme, maybe if a more diversified perspective was incorporated, the book would have had more impact to this reader. I have shelved it with the other mediocre titles.

[Ashley]

I really loved this book. It was about a young boy and all that he is thankful for. I think this could be a great book to read to my students during the week of Thanksgiving. After, I could have them write a few things they are thankful for and draw or paint a picture and this could be a cute gift for their parents on Thanksgiving.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are truly incredible. Even without the amazing text, I could have enjoyed this book for that reason by itself, but this book has so much more. London truly outdoes himself with this text. A real standout.

[Rose]

E Lon

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story about giving thanks for the "everyday" gifts of nature, from sunrises to birds in the woods.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

read at school just before Thanksgiving
made idea of giving thanks accessible to kids as each thought of something living in their world to give thanks for
will use again

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good version of the prayer and beautifully illustrated but see Chief Jake Swamp's version, Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paintings in here are a definite five stars. The writing on the other hand, meh.
Malcolm says, "I like this because it's funny to say 'Giving Thanks' instead of Thanksgiving."

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about giving thanks to all the things in nature. Good for raising a future environmentalist.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving Thanks (Hardcover)
by Jonathan London
The poetic inspiration showing how native Americans view nature and show their gratitude toward all they receive. very beautiful
pictures

[Candace Carr]

I would show this book to students to show them that it's important to all things around us. I would also use the pictures and have students write their own stories from the pictures.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, we should be more appreciative of each other and the nature around us.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful theme and wonderful illustrations.