Thanksgiving Treasures-Tradition #4

In thinking about writing this fourth post about favorite titles used to express gratitude I can't ignore the snow-covered landscape outside my window.  For the second November in a row we have had plenty of snowfall beginning in the middle of the month; even prompting an early snow day for our schools.  I can't help but think the natural world might be sending us a message.  There will be those who say it's part of a cycle or some propose it's a result of global warming and climate change but perhaps it is a signal to simply slow down more.  We need to take time to pause and ponder; to appreciate all the goodness in our lives, even the littlest of things.  My three previous posts, Thanksgiving Treasures-Tradition, Thanksgiving Treasures-Tradition #2 and Thanksgiving Treasures-Tradition #3, highlight the following six titles.

Back in 1999 The Blue Sky Press (an imprint of Scholastic Inc.) released Thanksgiving Wish written by Michael J. Rosen with paintings by John Thompson.  In collaboration the two bring readers a heartbreaking and heartwarming book based upon tradition, family and making memories.  You truly wish you could talk to both of them to see how the narrative and artwork were created.  Is this story based upon a real life experience?  Who served as models for the people in the pictures? 

ONCE A YEAR, ever since Amanda knew the word Thanksgiving, her family would travel to her grandmother Bubbe's house for the holiday.  Even more than Chanukah or Passover or the other Jewish holidays that Bubbe loved to share with her family, Thanksgiving had always been Bubbe's special holiday.

Amanda's grandmother spends the entire month of November cooking dishes, the same dishes year after year, to serve to her family at Thanksgiving.  It is a gift from her heart.  While all the food and family, uncles, aunts and cousins, is an important part of the day, it's right before falling asleep when the best part happens.  

All year long Bubbe saves the wishbones from the birds she cooks so every single child can make a wish.  She comes to them at bedtime holding various sizes in her hand depending on the size of the wish needing to be granted.  After the pull, whoever has the largest piece is sure to get their wish fulfilled.  Even when Amanda asks Bubbe she will never talk about her wish.  If a wish is shared it can't possibly come true.

When Bubbe passes away, the first Thanksgiving without her is to be held at Amanda's family's new house; a very large, very old house.  Using her Grandmother's recipes kept in a special file, Amanda, her parents and two sisters try to cook up a feast the day before all the relatives arrive.  They continue through the night working together.

On Thanksgiving morning, they keep on preparing and cooking food.  It is a rainy gloomy day.  When two sets of uncles, aunts and cousins arrive they are soaking wet.  Being told by Amanda's mother dinner will be a little late, they settle in, drying themselves out, watching television and talking about Bubbe.  Suddenly all the lights go out.  There is no power.

Everyone else in the neighborhood is fine.  Fuses in the old electrical system can't be replaced until the following day.  A knock at the door announces the beginning of a day like no other, a day of gratitude, remembering and the creation of a new tradition.

Characters so real they could be your next-door neighbor woven into events so true to life they must have happened are the mark of Michael J. Rosen as a storyteller.  His blend of narration and dialogue between the characters make readers feel as if they are there.  He understands the dynamics of families and the connection between children and their grandparents.  Here is a sample passage.

The Thanksgiving before Bubbe died, as unexpectedly as anything you want to live forever dies, Amanda asked her a question. "Bubbe, I've always wondered:  What are you wishing for tonight?  I know we're not supposed to tell, but maybe...well, can you tell me what you wished for last year?"

Her grandmother held out the wishbone for Amanda to grab, and said, "Tonight?  Last year?  I'm wishing for the same thing I wish for every time."

The illustrations, the paintings, on the matching dust jacket and book case are images taken from the interior of the book.  The grandmother's and child's hand getting ready to make a wish and Amanda's mother holding her at the Thanksgiving table as she tells Amanda and the rest of the family, Bubbe's wish each year.  Opening and closing endpapers are a warm, golden brown.  A single wishbone is framed on the title page.  

John Thompson includes a full framed picture on a single page with a small detailed inset on the opposite page within every two pages.  The skill in his paintings is so masterful as to be photographic in quality.  It appears as though he might use some type of underlying wash giving all his illustrations a glow.  The play of light and shadow are stunning.  

One of my favorite illustrations is of Amanda lying in bed with Bubbe offering her the choice of three wishbones.  They are both smiling in anticipation.  Everything, the facial expressions, body postures, clothing, hair, quilt on the bed, teddy bear and angel hanging on the bedpost, speaks of comfort and love.  

Without a doubt attending the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee for several Octobers over the years, is a lifetime highpoint.  I, with many others, listened in fascination to Native America teller and author, Joseph Bruchac.  Listening to him tell stories or reading his many books, gives us valuable insights into the culture from which he comes.  

The Circle of Thanks: Native American Poems and Songs of Thanksgiving (BridgeWater Books, 1996) told by Joseph Bruchac with illustrations by Murv Jacob presents thirteen poems or songs from ten different peoples.  Both Bruchac and Jacob draw on their Native American culture to present authenticity in the words and illustrations.  Giving gratitude for everything every day, especially the bounty of our natural world, is inherent in those Native American cultures represented here.  

THE CIRCLE OF THANKS

As I play my drum

I look around me

and I see the trees.

The trees are dancing

in a circle about me

and they are beautiful. ...

Beginning on the northeast coast with the Micmac people we are introduced to the importance of the drum, the circle it represents and sending praise for the trees, sun, moon, stars and people.  Mother Earth is shown honor by the Mohawk for her constant and strong presence.  Without rain, the Papago of the southwest would be unable to sustain themselves with their corn crops.  Praise for both can be found in their traditions.

The Cherokee of the southeast and the Kwakiutl of the northwest coast pay tribute to the blessings bestowed on their people by the generosity of plants and trees.  The Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest believe if gratitude is expressed to the black bear for the giving of their life, traits of that bear will be passed to the hunter who killed it.  In the southwest the Hopi sing to the Kachina who come to their villages dancing, depicting things in the universe over which they have no power.  These songs are sung in thanksgiving.

Songs and poems about thunder from the Navajo, the sun from the Osage and the stars from the Pawnee of the southern plains signify the appreciation held for these natural wonders.  The final piece, WORDS CALLED TO THE FOUR DIRECTIONS, is a reverent plea for calm and peace everywhere.  This collection pays tribute in words as true today as when they were first uttered.

Joseph Bruchac opens this book with a note to the reader and closes with an afterward.  He also provides two pages of further explanations about each of the thirteen poems and songs and the beliefs of the people. Each telling can be easily understood by even younger readers providing points for discussion and further research.  There is a feeling of devout respect to be found on every page.  Here is one of the poems.

SONG TO THE DANCING STARS

Look as they rise,

look as those stars rise

there over the line

where the earth meets the sky.

Those Star Dancers,

they rise up together.

Look, as they rise up,

how they come to guide us.

They lead us safely,

they keep us as one.

Dancing Stars,

we watch you as you rise.

Teach us to be, like you, united.

Pawnee, Southern Plains

Each illustration with the exception of the front dust jacket, book case, title page and final page spans across two pages.  These paintings by Cherokee artist, Murv Jacob provide a background for the framed text set upon each of them.  A full color palette evoking seasons, housing, activities and dress are done with infinite care.

In all the images flora and fauna native to a specific area are showcased focusing on one or more element as well as the people.  Jacob chooses to alter his perspective by providing us with a panoramic or close-up view depending on the poem or song.  One of my favorites is for the shared Pawnee poem.

It is night with the sky a swirl of tiny colored dots.  Seven stars are brighter than the others with the bodies of women outlined in the sky attached to them.  Beneath the sky is a grassy plain upon which three riders gallop on their ponies.  In the lead is a woman followed by two men.  

I am grateful for both Thanksgiving Wish by Michael J. Rosen with paintings by John Thompson and The Circle of Thanks: Native American Poems and Songs of Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac with paintings by Murv Jacob.  If you wish to learn more about Michael J. Rosen, John Thompson or Joseph Bruchac please follow the links embedded in their names.  John Thompson has several images from the book at his site.

Thanksgiving Treasures-Tradition #2

Last year in a post on Thanksgiving Day I spoke about two treasured titles I read every year for this day set aside to express our gratitude.  The first is The Greatest Table:  A Banquet to Fight Against Hunger (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996) written and edited by Michael J. Rosen.  The other is Simple Gifts (Henry Holt and Company, 1998) by Chris Raschka.


This year the two titles I've chosen are lighthearted, full of fun, family and food.
The Most Thankful Thing (Scholastic, 2004) written by Lisa McCourt with illustrations by Cyd Moore explores an afternoon conversation with a mother and daughter while looking at a scrapbook.  A simple meal takes on huge proportions when the guests keep coming in Sitting Down to Eat (August House LittleFolk, 1996) by Bill Harley with illustrations by Kitty Harvill.

One morning, I found Mama sitting real still, all by herself.  Mama never did that.

Replying that she is thinking about all for which she is grateful, her daughter wants to know the one thing for which she is most thankful.  Of course the mother knows the answer to that right away, as readers will too, but she asks her daughter to guess.  Knowing all her mother's best moments are stored in her scrapbook, they sit down to peruse through the pages.

Summer camp, a soccer team championship, a guitar solo in a concert, yearbook editor, prom night, college play, first job and marriage are simply not Mama's most thankful thing whenever she's asked the question.  Even if each of them lead to bigger and better opportunities, they cannot compare to the most thankful thing.  Guessing this must be something pretty special, the daughter gives up and Mama...she gives in saying the final word, "Forevermore".

Using the tried and true format of her successful Stinky Face series Lisa McCourt provides a warm atmosphere of questions and answers between a mother and her daughter.  There is a comforting rhythm to the repetition of asking, commenting and the exaggerated probable future for each portion of the scrapbook.  McCourt's dialogue between the two demonstrates her gift of knowing family dynamics in a loving relationship.


Colorful, animated illustrations (watercolor?) loaded with life and laughter by Cyd Moore not only compliment but enhance the storyline provided by McCourt.  Her attention to detail and characters' expressions are delightful.  Two page spreads, single pages and small photographic insets create a pleasing arrangement; many times with the black background found in scrapbooks complete with photo corners and white writing along the edges.


I was sitting down to eat, 
just about to begin,
when someone knocked on the door and said,
"Can I come in?"

A young boy is about to start his snack, opening the door what should he see, but an elephant.  This giant in the world of animals wants to share his meal.  Inviting him in, they are about to begin eating when there is another knock at the door.

And so it goes from one to nine.  Each knock adds another animal to the meal; elephant, tiger, bear, lion, hippo, rhinoceros, blue whale and crocodile are dining together.  The final knock, the ninth knock, reveals a very small caterpillar.  Will there be room or a big BOOM?


Bill Harley, songwriter and storyteller, a true master of both, has created a cumulative tale filled with critters having cravings, cravings for treats.  At each knock of the door a rhyming conversation follows until the next visitor arrives.  The rhymes flow creating a beat and...each dialogue ends with a thank you before the newest arrival sits down to eat.

When I opened up the door, what did I see?
It was a great big elephant looking at me!
I said, "Oh no! What can I do?"
"If you've got enough for one," she said,
"you've got enough for two."


Cut paper collage illustrations skillfully arranged by illustrator Kitty Harvill, light up the storyline from cover to cover.  Various treats, popcorn, donuts, ice cream sundaes, Popsicles, pizza and cookies are scattered across warm orange endpapers.  A friendly, playfulness is evident on the faces of her animals and in their posture seated around the table.  Texture is added through her color selection and paper choices.  I really like the detail of the number of candles on the cake growing as more animals come to the boy's home.

These two titles are guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter.  Both make for a great read aloud, but Sitting Down to Eat is so much fun to do with voices and audience participation.  Be sure to follow the embedded links.

Thanksgiving Treasures--Tradition

With each season, each holiday there are those books that are read again and again; they are as much a part of perennial traditions as are those more commonly observed.  Two of my prized Thanksgiving titles are The Greatest Table: A Banquet To Fight Against Hunger written and edited by Michael J. Rosen and Simple Gifts by Chris Raschka.  Both are more than ten years old but still hold freshness and meaning as if they had just been published; classics to the core.

In 1994 Michael J. Rosen and Share Our Strength, one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to ending childhood hunger by 2015, together featured the illustrations of sixteen guest artists as they pictorially portrayed a poem written by Rosen.  The volume is attractively crafted with a hardcover slip case in which the sixteen leaf fold-out book is housed; the leaves representing those of a table around which we are all invited.

Across the double title page a host of people, all ages, all nationalities, each carrying food are in motion toward the table.  Richard McGuire is the artist. 

The greatest table isn't set
inside a single home---
oh no, it spans the continents,
and no one eats alone.

Beginning with five stanzas four lines each, Rosen welcomes and explains. The renowned Patricia Polacco pictures a homey dining room scene with her Babuska and four children, representative of a blending of cultures, seated together ready to enjoy a meal.

The next fourteen leaves containing two lines each are visualized by Guy Billout, Brian Pinkney, Diane Goode, Dena Schutzer, Kevin Hawkes, David Wiesner, Eve Chwast, Anita Lobel, Robert Sabuda, Chris Van Allsburg, Lois Ehlert, and Lisa Campbell Ernst in colorful, interpretations exemplifying their personal specific style. Demonstrating his versatility Robert Sabuda, usually known for his paper engineering skills as a pop-up book artist, presents a graphic that looks very much like hand-colored woodcut printing.  Not being one to disappoint is Chris Van Allsburg who chooses to illustrate his two lines with a screaming child in a high chair bowl spilling its contents.

In closing are two stanzas:

The next time you sit down to eat,
the greatest table's set,
connecting you with each of us
who hasn't eaten yet.

So if you're hungry,  join us here,
pull up another chair.
We'll all scoot over, make more room;
there's always some to spare.

Complimenting this closing using a two-page spread Floyd Cooper portrays an Asian group of varying ages kneeling on mats, hands resting on their laps, attired in the formal wear of their country about a table filled with dishes of noodles chopsticks on each. 

Simple Gifts is a song of the Shaker people.  It is best remembered as a hymn but many believe that it was to be sung quickly, cheerfully as a dance tune. Chris Raschka lends his own illustrative

interpretation in a title of the same name in 1998.

Hand-lettering the lyrics (which I believe is inviting and adds intimacy), using oil crayons on pastel paper Raschka brings bold, full double page spreads to each line of the song.  Heavy black lines are filled with every tone and hue reflecting the autumn time of year; comfort and warmth radiate off the pages.   He chose a joyful cast of characters, a cat, a blue jay, a squirrel, a turtle, and a rabbit, to lead readers across the pages.

He finishes with a short explanation of Simple Gifts followed by the music and lyrics. 


Bringing us beauty, magic and meaning, children's book illustrators are something to be thankful for not only today but always.  For their gifts to all of us I am, and will continue to be, grateful.