Deborah Diesen Archives -

Reasons to be Thankful – New Thanksgiving Board Books for Kids

November 21, 2019
goodreadswithronna
Ages 0-3, Board Books - Interactive Books, Children's Book Reviews, Emotions & Feelings, Family & Relationships, Gratitude, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, Multigenerational, Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING 2019
∼A BOARD BOOKS ROUNDUP∼

free Thanksgiving Clip Art

LOOK AND BE GRATEFUL
Written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
(Holiday House Publishing; $7.99, Ages 0-3)

This sturdy board-book edition of the hardcover picture book from 2015 is great to share all year long. With just 24 pages of spare and inspiring text, dePaola’s peaceful, pleasing art takes center stage. The little boy on the cover wakes up to behold the beauty of a new day and the wonderful things that surround him. “Open your eyes, and see, and say thank you.” Children learn with each simple sentence and illustration to be present and look at each day as a gift. Look and be Grateful is a gentle and sweet introduction to mindfulness and gratitude which are never too early to share.

BE THANKFUL, POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen
Pictures based on illustrations created
by Dan Hanna
(Farrar Straus Giroux BYR; $5.99, Ages 0-3)

Little fans of the beloved Pout-Pout Fish will be delighted he’s back, under the sea, serving up tasty dishes for Thanksgiving in Be Thankful, Pout-Pout Fish. Mr. Fish has invited friends and family from near and far to join him at the celebration. It’s a pot-luck dinner for which all of the guests are grateful. When the meal is over and everyone’s full, Mr. Fish is feeling especially thankful not only for the food, but for the full feeling in his heart.

Told in 12 full-color pages, this rhyming board-book makes a sweet addition to any toddler’s Pout-Pout Fish book collection. It’s also an ideal gift when visiting during the holiday. Dive into a copy and share today.

FIVE LITTLE THANK-YOUS
Written by Cindy Jin
Illustrated by Dawn M. Cardona
(Little Simon; $7.99, Ages 0-3)

I love the die-cut turkey feathers design of this 12-page board book. Inspired by the hand-print turkey art craft so many children proudly create at Thanksgiving time, each finger/feather in Five Little Thank-Yous represents a paper-cut illustrated spread devoted to a particular thank-you message. It starts off with “Thank you for this sweet, warm home, blessed with family all my own.” The four other feathers mention thanks for food, friends, love and “…most of all, I’m thankful to be the one and only, special me.” What a terrific and important message to impart to children at Thanksgiving.

T IS FOR THANKS (AND TURKEY!)
A Flanimals Book
Written by Melinda Rathjen
Illustrated by Amy Husband
(WorthyKids; $7.99, Ages 1-3)

Fab and felt-clad Turkey (on the cover) is just one of the adorable Flanimals animal characters in this 20-page cumulative concept board book.T is for Thanks (and Turkey!) explores themes of gratitude and friendship courtesy of the letter T. The story begins when Tiger gives Turtle some tulips in a tea pot as a gift. Such a lovely gesture! Sadly, the present breaks when Turtle sneezes. Turkey’s on hand to offer some tissues. In fact he humorously always wants to be included in the cumulative repetition that kids will love. “T is for Thanks and Tape and Thunderstorm. And Turkey!” Some tape mends the broken tea pot and Turkey’s wings keep the rain off Tiger while Turtle’s retreated into his shell.

It’s great how the friends get up to some fun antics that kids will relate to all while sticking to the letter T. Things get messy though when Turkey gets onto a trampoline with tacos given to him by Toad. That causes no end of trouble as you might imagine. But with caring, thoughtful friends, everything will work out in the end providing everyone (and Turkey!) is on good behavior.

This book provides many levels of entertainment and positive reinforcement whether it’s counting the tulips (three), noting with little ones how all the animals’ names begin with T, seeing what else they can spot in the art that might pertain to thankfulness and the letter T, and most importantly, seeing the kind way friends treat each other.

Reviewed by Ronna Mandel

Click here to read a review of another Thanksgiving book.

Kohl’s Keeps Kids Happy This Summer

May 20, 2013
goodreadswithronna
Adult Nonfiction, Juvenile Fiction, Kohl's Cares Program

$5 Books, Bags and Plushies

There’s more than one way to know the seasons are changing. Of course you can look at the calendar. Then there’s the change in the weather along with a fresh, flowery smell in the air. For me, these last few years of blogging, I’m reminded of changing seasons whenever Kohl’s introduces its newest Kohl’s Cares Cause Merchandise for Kids (and Grown-ups)! Now I know summer’s not far off because I just received info about the latest program starring Deborah Diesen’s Pout-Pout Fish.

A five dollar bill will get you either a book, a tote bag or an adorable stuffed animal. Why not get all three and start your summer early?

Start with The Pout-Pout Fish, a delightful book that teaches children the importance of a positive attitude.

Add The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, a book that takes children on an exciting, underwater adventure,while teaching them lifelong lessons about the power of friendship.

I especially like the colorful new tote bag. It’s perfect for carrying books, plushies or beach toys! And at just $5, you could get buy one to keep in the trunk as a spare.

1309688

Don’t forget to pick up the coordinating stuffed animals to make the set complete.

There’s a crab,

an octopus

and of course, Pout-Pout Fish.

Parents, maybe you’re thinking you’d like something this affordable, too? Well, Kohl’s has got you covered with these two books (yes, at just $5 each) certain to get you celebrating. Check ’em out! – Good Housekeeping: Blend It! (featuring 133 recipes covering soup to smoothies) and Kohl’s Party Food (including more than 150 recipes for snacks, salads, sandwiches and desserts).

100% of the net profit from the sale of these items will support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. Visit Kohl’s Cares® site by clicking here to learn more. Since the program first began in 2000, Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program has raised more than $231 million for children’s health and education programs in local communities across the country.