Giving Thanks

By Denise Kiernan, Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)

Discover how a determined woman and a president made Thanksgiving a national holiday amid a civil war.

3.5/5 Goodreads · 137 ratings

32 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In the 1800s, America lacked an official Thanksgiving holiday. Enter Sarah Josepha Hale, a determined woman whose relentless letter-writing campaign caught the attention of a sympathetic president. Amidst the turmoil of a civil war, their efforts transformed a tradition into a national holiday. This beautifully illustrated tale reveals the power of gratitude and the story behind Thanksgiving's creation. How did one woman's vision and a nation's need for unity shape a beloved holiday? Uncover the true story of Thanksgiving's origins and the enduring spirit of giving thanks.

From the publisher

The beautifully illustrated true story of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday in America, of Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who made the holiday happen, and of the role of gratitude the world over. Marvelously brought to life by the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan. All across the world, among hundreds of cultures and across centuries, people have come together to give thanks. But Americans didn’t have an official Thanksgiving holiday until the 1800s. The holiday Americans know today exists because of a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale, a spirited letter-writing campaign, a sympathetic president, and a civil war. This beautifully illustrated picture book shares the true story of how Thanksgiving became a national American holiday and offers a look at the timeless and global power of gratitude.

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