Giving Thanks, Denise Kiernan
Giving Thanks, Denise Kiernan
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Giving Thanks
How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

Author: Denise Kiernan

Narrator: Maggi-Meg Reed

Unabridged: 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/27/2022


Synopsis

The 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 audiobook shares the true story of how Thanksgiving became a national American holiday and offers a look at the timeless and global power of gratitude.

About The Author

Denise Kiernan (she/her) is an American journalist, producer and New York Times bestselling author. She has written several history books, including We Gather Together, The Last Castle, and The Girls of Atomic City. When not writing, she likes playing tennis, watching soccer, working in her garden, and cooking tasty treats at her home in North Carolina. Visit her online at denisekiernan.com. Follow her on Instagram (@iamdenisekiernan) and on Twitter (@DeniseKiernan). Jamey Christoph's (he/him) illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and in several award winning children’s books. An old soul at heart, his work draws inspiration from vintage advertising and travel posters and a lifelong curiosity of the past, particularly in the character of old buildings, cars, fashion, and music. He has received multiple recognitions from the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and 3×3 Magazine.  He works out of his 1920's home in Cleveland Heights, OH with his crazy dogs, Owen and Jack. You can visit him online at www.jameychristoph.com. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Renee on October 20, 2022

Giving Thanks focuses on how a young woman named Josepha Hale persistence was able to get Thanksgiving as a national holiday celebrated on the same day each year. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday. She knew that different communities had days that they would come......more

Goodreads review by Liz on December 06, 2022

This picture book covers how Thanksgiving become the national holiday it is today due to Sarah Josepha Hale's persistent efforts, which is a part of the holiday that isn't usually talked about. Thanksgivings happened all the time, but she wanted to united the country by celebrating all at the same t......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on November 28, 2022

The illustrations were my favorite part of this very basic book, which I consider a good starting point for discussing how Sarah Josepha Hale undertook to persuade the country to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. No mentions of pilgrims, Native Americans, or God. More resources are provided at t......more

Goodreads review by Jean on November 16, 2022

We enjoyed this story about how thanksgiving came to be. I liked that it was another story of the first thanksgiving but rather why we celebrate it on the day we do in the United States. Not super detailed but a unique children’s thanksgiving history.......more


Quotes

"A great addition to any library...shares a new side of the story of Thanksgiving." School Library Journal

"Kiernan...helps to rewrite harmful narratives in an age-appropriate way for a new generation...hugely useful for parents and educators looking for better materials to describe this time of year. " Kirkus