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Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
A traditional Iroquois celebration of the beauty and spirit of Mother Earth, as told by a contemporary Mohawk chief. For as long as anyone can remember, Mohawk parents have taught their children to start each day by giving thanks to Mother Earth. Also known as the Thanksgiving Address, this good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. The whole universe - from the highest stars to the tiniest blade of grass - is addressed as one great family. Now readers of all ages can share in this tribute to the environment, adapted especially for children by Chief Jake Swamp, whose efforts to share this vision of thanksgiving take him all over the world. Chief Swamp's inspirational message, along with Erwin Printup, Jr.'s unforgettable landscapes, make Giving Thanks a timeless celebration of the spirit of nature.
24 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 21, 2019
I wanted to love this more than I did but I did really like it and appreciate it.
It’s meaningful that this book was created by Native Americans, words by Chief Jake Swamp (Tekaronianeken/Mohawk?) and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr. (Cayuga/Tuscarora) educated in fine arts from the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, NM. Both men live in New York state.
U.S. Thanksgiving is probably my least favorite holiday (family centered with no close family; 46 million turkeys killed every year for just this holiday) but I can 100% get behind this kind of thanksgiving: a daily address to thank Mother Earth for all that she provides. Given climate change it was also poignant for me, but overall I found it lovely. I like how children are taught to express these thanks and how it’s said at ceremonial and government gatherings to this day. The words are from the Iroquois or Six Nations People.
A big plus is that the address is printed in the Mohawk language at the end of the book. I’d like to hear the audio of it because I don’t know how it sounds.
The illustrations grew on me. From the start I loved their vibrancy and bright colors but I wasn’t sure about their style. As I turned the pages I enjoyed them more and more and by the end of this short picture book I really liked them.
Thanked are: everything, deep blue waters, green grasses, good foods, fruits and berries, good medicine herbs, all the animals in the world, all the trees, all the birds, the gentle Four Winds, Grandfather Thunder Beings, Elder Brother Sun, Grandmother Moon, twinkling stars, Spirit Protectors of past and present, and the Great Spirit.
3-1/2 stars
It’s meaningful that this book was created by Native Americans, words by Chief Jake Swamp (Tekaronianeken/Mohawk?) and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr. (Cayuga/Tuscarora) educated in fine arts from the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, NM. Both men live in New York state.
U.S. Thanksgiving is probably my least favorite holiday (family centered with no close family; 46 million turkeys killed every year for just this holiday) but I can 100% get behind this kind of thanksgiving: a daily address to thank Mother Earth for all that she provides. Given climate change it was also poignant for me, but overall I found it lovely. I like how children are taught to express these thanks and how it’s said at ceremonial and government gatherings to this day. The words are from the Iroquois or Six Nations People.
A big plus is that the address is printed in the Mohawk language at the end of the book. I’d like to hear the audio of it because I don’t know how it sounds.
The illustrations grew on me. From the start I loved their vibrancy and bright colors but I wasn’t sure about their style. As I turned the pages I enjoyed them more and more and by the end of this short picture book I really liked them.
Thanked are: everything, deep blue waters, green grasses, good foods, fruits and berries, good medicine herbs, all the animals in the world, all the trees, all the birds, the gentle Four Winds, Grandfather Thunder Beings, Elder Brother Sun, Grandmother Moon, twinkling stars, Spirit Protectors of past and present, and the Great Spirit.
3-1/2 stars
January 23, 2020
The new addition to our morning devotional . . . The Thanksgiving Address of my people, adapted into children's literature by Chief Jake Swamp, with beautiful illustrations by Erwin Printup, Jr., is breathing the new life of gratitude into our daily round in bright and peaceful and simple and truthful ways. #morningdevotional #thanksgivingaddress #givingthanks #anativeamericangoodmorningmessage #chiefjakeswamp #erwinprintupjr #haudenosaunee #iroquois #sixnations #tuscarora #mohawk #native #ndn #americanindian #whoweare #creator #creation #motherearth #knowyourmother #knowyourpeople #knowyourways #knowyourself #forgetnot #survive #thrive #gratitude #liveinthanksgivingdaily
October 30, 2008
What a relief! This book is a gem for us as a pagan/vegan family. It is a poetic, illustrated prayer of gratitude to all things on and around our Mother Earth. The simple reverence for great things like the Sun and little things like berries will help me teach my son to be thankful, to be appreciative, and to be respectful of our planet. There are many Thanksgiving books on the market for children. Most aren't particularly appropriate for vegetarian children, let alone pagan ones. This one, then, is perfect for daily use, for the harvest holidays on the Wheel of the Year, or for the North American Thanksgiving feast. All in one book? Truly, something to be thankful for!
July 11, 2007
Beautifully illustrated. A book that will instill respect for nature while giving insight into the Native American culture.
A good book to integrate into learning centers.
Published 1995.
A good book to integrate into learning centers.
Published 1995.
November 2, 2018
Once again, the 2018 Reading Challenge is saved thanks to Storytime Planning! *PPG theme*
A sweet book that I can read to my kiddos on Thanksgiving without being total garbage or ONLY about the pilgrims. Would be perfect for a baby savasana during a yoga themed storytime.
A sweet book that I can read to my kiddos on Thanksgiving without being total garbage or ONLY about the pilgrims. Would be perfect for a baby savasana during a yoga themed storytime.
May 18, 2022
A gem from the 1990s. What are you thankful for? Here's a message of thanks that could be used in place of "traditional" Thanksgiving books. It has beautiful illustrations too.
October 20, 2022
I really liked this book. The illustrations are really vibrant and go really well with the text. I'm not a fan of U.S. Thanksgiving, especially with how many turkeys get killed (as another Goodreads reviewer also mentioned) BUT I do like the whole giving thanks message behind it which this book brings out really nicely: to be thankful for everything around you (the water, the sun, the berries/food, etc.). I don't like it when people make Thanksgiving religious and make it all about God. I just like being thankful, appreciating what you have, and thanking the Earth for what it gives us.
I loved how this book was written and illustrated by Native Americans. Sadly, the author died years ago, but glad his book is still available! Highly recommend giving it a read. At the end of the book there is also a page that has the original Native American text which is nice. It would be really cool to hear how to pronounce the words because the length of them looks so complicated to me.
I loved how this book was written and illustrated by Native Americans. Sadly, the author died years ago, but glad his book is still available! Highly recommend giving it a read. At the end of the book there is also a page that has the original Native American text which is nice. It would be really cool to hear how to pronounce the words because the length of them looks so complicated to me.
November 24, 2009
I really wanted to love this book. I totally appreciate the spirit behind the book and I am thrilled that the author/illustrator team are actually Native Americans. The thanksgiving prayer is beautiful and meaningful and certainly something we should all think about at this time of year--considering the "other half" of those who gathered at the first Thanksgiving. That said, I wasn't as wowed by the overall picture book as I hoped I would be. Still, I think it is an important addition to any Thanksgiving reading.
Thanks, Chandra, for bringing this to my attention!
Thanks, Chandra, for bringing this to my attention!
March 29, 2016
This was something any reader should appreciate. It is all about being thankful for the small gifts in live that make us happy. For food, water, sun, beauty, etc. It does take the perspective from a Native American belief in thanks the great Spirit but for those that do not follow this believe, the concept still remains. The artwork is simplistic but lovely. Just reading the words and looking at the images. It gives an almost serene feeling.Kids can enjoy and then mention things things they are thankful for and trying to learn the source of what makes them happy.
November 23, 2018
Beautiful and poignant book about gratitude that is perfect for Thanksgiving. I am trying to counterbalance the falsehoods about the holiday with books that are truthful and give native voices a chance to be heard. This is a wonderfully illustrated, child-friendly adaptation of the Mohawk Thanksgiving address. Some spiritual elements, but the thankfulness is mostly focused on the things around us every day.
November 17, 2008
This was a beautiful book. I loved the illustrations. They are the kind you want to reach out and touch.
It was not only a good book for Thanksgiving time, but a good book for learning about Native American culture.
It was not only a good book for Thanksgiving time, but a good book for learning about Native American culture.
May 31, 2015
This book is a beautiful reminder to give thanks and appreciation to Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. The artwork goes beautifully with the Native American Good morning message. Reading Rainbow has an edition of this story, told by a Native American Chief that my students really enjoyed.
June 10, 2007
This is a meditation type book for kids. It is great for adults too. I really enjoyed it. Very intune with nature.
July 9, 2009
I love this message of thanks.
February 1, 2017
Wonderful illustrations and message. A great way to teach kids about the importance of daily gratitude.
March 20, 2021
I did very much enjoy this. It's not so much a teaching tool, but more of a poem, or, yes, a hymn. I appreciate the author's notes, including a page of what the words look like in Mohawk.
December 19, 2020
This book is a complete treasure. I was captivated by the words and illustrations and can imagine every young reader being so as well. This is a book I am going to purchase for my own library and to have on hand for anytime kids visit my home and want to read a story or be read to. The following author's note is in the front cover of this book: "The words in this book are based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. These words of thanks come to us from the Native people known as the Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iriquois or Six Nations - Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. The people of the Six Nations are from upstate New York and Canada. These words are still spoken at ceremonial and governmental gatherings held by the Six Nations. Children, too, are taught to greet the world each morning by saying thank you to all living things. They learn that according to Native American tradition, people everywhere are embraced as family. Our diversity, like all the wonders of Nature, is truly a gift for which we are thankful."
December 2, 2019
I was looking for a book to use as a read-aloud for my self-contained (special ed) class as well as my ELL (English Language Learners) class for the day before Thanksgiving. I wanted something about gratitude and also about First Nations but not the stereotypical Pilgrims and Indians.
I found this and ran it past a friend who is First Nations. She gave it this hesitant approval "it's better than anything else that's out there". It is written and illustrated First Nations people.
When I read it to my students, I did talk to them about the fact that even though the people in the book are wearing traditional garb, if we see indigenous people today, they dress just like we do and save those pieces for special occasions. My ELL students definitely understood that as they have clothing from their culture that they also wear on special occasions.
I found this and ran it past a friend who is First Nations. She gave it this hesitant approval "it's better than anything else that's out there". It is written and illustrated First Nations people.
When I read it to my students, I did talk to them about the fact that even though the people in the book are wearing traditional garb, if we see indigenous people today, they dress just like we do and save those pieces for special occasions. My ELL students definitely understood that as they have clothing from their culture that they also wear on special occasions.
November 25, 2023
As an ethical vegan and pagan, I find certain holidays problematic; Thanksgiving is at the top of that list. No need for me to go into that any further, let's just say that I'm thrilled when I find books that focus on gratitude without the traditional religious element, and feasts that don't include animal flesh.
This beautiful book is a message, a blessing, a thank you to Mother Earth and "Great Spirit"; however you see a higher power is up to you. The illustrations are bright & colorful yet rather simple, a perfect accompaniment to the simplicity of the words themselves. I'd like to incorporate this into my daily morning routine, what a lovely way to start the day!
This beautiful book is a message, a blessing, a thank you to Mother Earth and "Great Spirit"; however you see a higher power is up to you. The illustrations are bright & colorful yet rather simple, a perfect accompaniment to the simplicity of the words themselves. I'd like to incorporate this into my daily morning routine, what a lovely way to start the day!
November 2, 2025
This book is a great read aloud book that explains the Iroquois celebration. This book is about giving thanks to what is around those in this culture. Every Morning they appreciate the land they are on, the sun, moon, and rain that is given to them, and the spirits that allow them to have all those wonderful things. This is a great book to read aloud to help students understand and get a little taste of how Native Americans give thanks and praise. At the end of this novel there is a translation that I believe is greatly appreciated for those who speak kaniakehaka (mohawk)
February 14, 2021
This book written by Chief Jake Swamp is an interesting look into Native American culture. The author's note expresses that the book is inspired by the Thanksgiving Address which is "an ancient message of peace and appreciation for mother earth and her inhabitants". I really like how the story teaches the readers to be grateful for the everyday things in life that we often take for granted, children and adults both.
November 12, 2021
An uplifting, simple story with bright, color-block illustrations describes giving thanks for all the Earth has given to us, a spiritual message relatable for people of any faith. This is a great companion book when discussing Thanksgiving with small children and what it might mean for different people without having to introduce "genocide" into their vocabularies just yet. I particularly appreciated that this book was "own voices" and had a "Reading Rainbow" endorsement!
November 15, 2024
Swamp Marshes #1
Giving thanks and having gratitude is important so this was great in bringing this message.
What was not so great, giving thanks to a mythical 'Mother Earth' and creation itself, and not the creator.
You can't thank myths and you can't thank inanimate objects but you can thank the one who created, and sustains and leads and guides us.
An important message but an unfortunate execution.
Giving thanks and having gratitude is important so this was great in bringing this message.
What was not so great, giving thanks to a mythical 'Mother Earth' and creation itself, and not the creator.
You can't thank myths and you can't thank inanimate objects but you can thank the one who created, and sustains and leads and guides us.
An important message but an unfortunate execution.
April 4, 2018
This is a great book about giving thanks to Mother Nature, and everything around us. The pictures were beautiful, and it was all around a cute story to read. This would be a great book to read around Thanksgiving time!
October 28, 2018
Tender story of the American Indian's cultural traditional giving of thanks. Complete with vibrant illustrations, each aspect of the earth's resources are detailed and appreciated. The six American Indian nations, known as the Iroquois, are noted in the author's note.
January 7, 2019
I loved this message and I listened to the author read it in audio version. To be a human being is an honor.... It goes to say that mother earth gave us everything we need. It is gorgeous language. The illustrations are vibrant.
September 17, 2019
Aside from beautiful art work and an accessible message, the author gives helpful background information for non-Natives. I would absolutely include this in any study of Native Americans or Thanksgiving.
June 16, 2020
A ceremonial Thankfulness blessing from the Iroquois people, translated into a beautiful children’s book. This is a nice book to read and reflect at any time of year and especially at Thanksgiving. I love the bold illustrations as well.
October 7, 2020
What a wonderful book about being thankful for all the gifts Mother Earth has given us. I love the opening line: To be a human being is an honor... It is based on the Thanksgiving Address and words spoken at Six Nations ceremonial and governmental gatherings.
November 15, 2024
A children's version of the "Thanksgiving Address" of the Six Nations.
A short prayer to greet the world each morning with gratitude.
I love the reference to Nature as our family, and the illustrations are beautiful.
A short prayer to greet the world each morning with gratitude.
I love the reference to Nature as our family, and the illustrations are beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews