Appropriate books for Thanksgiving?

[missnoodlesmom]

So next week the theme for my daughters 4 year old class is "Native Americans/Pilgrims". I don't know why (well, I do but why go into the whole thing now!) but it rubs me wrong. I don't want to perpetuate wrong info and "myths" about the past and I'm looking for some good and appropriate books about Native Americans and Pilgrims. I'm going to send them in (possibly - my DH has vetoed this idea, lol, but I will probably have my way anyways or at the least, read them and explain them to my 4 year old.

I don't want them to be very, very upsetting (read a review on a book about Squanto but it seemed a little too harsh for my fairly sensitive DD) and I want it to be fairly on-topic about Thanksgiving AND Native Americans.

Suggestions anyone, before I buy?

[mattemma04]

I don't know any books,but even if you find some I would not send them in for the 4yo class.

Let it go for now and/or just talk with your child about the real deal.

My kids are 8 and 11 and they still get the typical glossed over versions of native americans/whites. I have talked to them often about the history they are not taught in school. I don't expect them (or want them) to correct teachers or classmates,because some people just don't want to hear the truth. As long as my kids know that is all that matters.

[missnoodlesmom]

Oh, well I completely (and respectfully disagree) that it's not our job to perpetuate correct knowledge in people other than our own children. Why not send something in and the teacher can make that decision of whether to read it or not? If she chooses to, maybe it will start a dialog that would be a teachable moment. What's the harm in that, honestly?

But either way - it doesn't matter because I'm library helper next week so I get to send in 5 books on the topic! I found some good books about the Pilgrims themselves and their celebration that wasn't glossed over, and I found a book called "Nickommoh!: A Thanksgiving Celebration" which talks about how Native Americans had celebrated THanksgiving for a looooong time before the Pilgrims ever invaded...errr, invited themselves in....

Anyways, it's not a violent or sad book, but rather about the celebrations that occurred in their culture.

[serenbat]

if you really feel you need to get a book- why not look at the plantations gift shop pages - http://www.plimoth.com/books-media/b...ildren-s-books

[JessicaS]

I am Native American so it is something I have an issue with, I don't understand why schools cannot be more truthful.

Squanto and the First Thanksgiving

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0876149417/

The Children of the Morning Light: Wampanoag Tales as Told By Manitonquat

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0027659054/

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message

http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Thanks-...p/1880000547#_


http://www.native-languages.org/wampanoag_culture.htm

[beanma]

I really like the Kate Waters books like Tapenum's Day. They're done in association with Plimoth Plantation and are very respectful, but not scary/genocidal. Our library has copies.

ETA: Scholastic carries them sometimes, too.

Kate Waters also has a great one called Giving Thanks: the 1621 Harvest Feast . It might be better suited for the 5,6,7,8 yr old set, but some 4 yr olds might like it, too.

For older kids National Geographic does have a great one, too — 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving, but it does go into the battles and smallpox, etc.