Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is fraught with mixed feelings. I winced at storytime recently when our dear librarian read a whitewashed story about the nice pilgrims and their friend Squanto and the other dear "indians". We struggle not to reinforce stereotypes while also not giving little kids more horrors to think about than they should have to handle. And I do think a day of gratitude is a very good idea indeed, so we try to make our own traditions - caring for animals and enjoying fellowship and gratitude (without the connection to the murderous white settlers who colonized this land and left us with no very good way to atone for the sins they left simmering in our DNA).
My preschool/primary pick for November fits well into our family's Thanksgiving tradition of trying to care for animals as winter comes - Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. This funny little picture book tells the story of a class of schoolchildren who visit a turkey farm, make friends with the turkeys and then discover the turkey farmer's terrible secret. They manage to sneak the turkeys away for safe Thanksgivings in their homes where they can be dinner guests and not dinner served. It is funny and sweet and pefect for vegetarian children. I highly recommend it.
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