Now and then, I think the world needs a little reminder to be grateful. So, how nice that there is a holiday to do just that. Here is a picture book that, through prayers, poems, and blessings, also reminds us to be grateful for all we have: 

This lovely collection of prayers, poems, and blessings is a soothing reminder of things for which to be thankful. Divided into sections like Morning, Love and Kindness, Family and Friends, Nightfall, and more, the book is suited to read any time of day and any time of year, but the lulling rhythms of most of the poems are particularly suited for bedtime. Helen Cann’s watercolor, collage, and colored pencil illustrations depict the natural world around us. Her use of soft lines and muted color scheme are perfectly paired with the poems selected by June Cotner and Nancy Tupper-Ling. If you’re looking for a morning, daytime, or bedtime read with uplifting poems and prayers, this is a great one!
 
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Food insecurity is a huge problem in the United States. Sometimes people have trouble affording food because they can’t find work, or they have trouble finding food close to home. Fortunately, food pantries exist to help families when they are facing such difficulties. And, as Molly learns in this picture book, everybody needs help sometimes.

In this sweet picture book, Molly makes her first visit to a food pantry when her mom is having trouble finding work and, as a result, affording food. Her mom explains that “everybody needs help sometimes.” But when Molly sees a classmate at the food pantry who doesn’t want anyone to know she and her gran get food there, Molly wonders if there’s something wrong with accepting help. This story sensitively shares what visiting a pantry might be like and some of the very real circumstances that lead to food insecurity, as well as addresses the feelings that some children (and adults) might experience when they face the stigma of needing to ask for help. Brizida Magro’s darling illustrations depict a diverse cast of characters and are perfectly matched to Diane O’Neill’s heartwarming text. I love SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY, and I hope you do too!
 
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​Whether you had a teddy bear or some other lovey (I had a brown dog & a stuffed kitty; some of my children’s lovies included “Pooh,” a bunny named “Hop-Hop,” and a “Blanky,”), you can probably relate to this book. It’s told from the point of view of a very worn, but loved, teddy bear named…

​Poor Louis has been through a lot. He’s been smooshed, washed, poked, and lost. He can’t take it anymore! Well, maybe just a little longer. This book has everything I love in a picture book: text and illustrations that tells a story with heart and humor, a relatable and adorable main character, equally adorable art, illustrated end papers, and a surprise under the book jacket. Bonus: the author’s inspiration for the story (photograph included on the rear jacket flap) is the long-lost cousin of one of my “lovies” growing up. How cool is that? I think you’ll love LOUIS as much as Louis’ boy loves him.
 
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