Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks

by John Bucchino, Anna-Liisa Hakkarainen (Illustrator), Art Garfunkel (Narrator)

An inspirational song perfect for Thanksgiving or any other day of the year. Here is a song of courage, hope, and love–a reminder that we have so much to be thankful for in times of both sorrow and joy. The exquisite paintings in this book energize this anthem with a colorful celebration of the wonders of nature.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Thanksgiving

Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio of this book is beautiful. The message is simple and beautiful. We are blessed and we have so much to be grateful for. My children love this. I need to buy it because we check it out so much.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

CD included with the song. It's smooth and quiet -- for bedtime, naptime, or meditation.

The book is about gratitude in general and the many things to be grateful for. The gratitude is in a general context with no mention of God or any religion. You're giving thanks and it gives many things that you're giving thanks FOR but nothing about who you're giving thanks TO.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this simple thankful book where the narrator says all the little things he is gratful for. Toddler and up

[Elizabeth]

The illustrations are warm, soft, inviting.

I nearly noped out of the book at "There may be times when I lose the light / And let my spirits sink... // But I can't stay depressed / When I remember how I'm blessed!" I get that you're rhyming, but that is not how depression works, so please do not use that word!

While I don't have a problem with the text's emphasis on gratitude, but I feel like it doesn't allow space for pain -- the last verse is, "Whatever stone life may sling, / We can moan... // Or we can sing!" The art accompanying those lines involves rain, and yes there are plenty of situations where we can reframe, adjust our emotional reactions, etc. -- but moaning has its place, also!

I also generally didn't find the text all that inspiring. I suspect it works better as a folksy song than it does just reading these simplistic rhymes, simplistic ideass.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illus. Anna-Lisa Hakkarainen. Well, reading this book is way more fun than trying to pronounce the name of the illustrator. As I mentioned in my critical paper, I love the way that the illustrations work with the text, creating something new that evokes a sense of warmth, mystery, and gratefulness.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a nice story with good ideas but the kids did not get into it so I probably will not use it next year.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another used book find that offers a sweet story of being grateful for the things that you have. My two year old wasn't a fan, but I think an older child would appreciate it more.

[Peanut · Rating 2 out of 5]

We may have missed the mark on this one because our book does not have the recorded song with it