Parent Resources

Let the Children Give provides adults the resources to demonstrate and teach a stewardship lifestyle to kids. Stewardship is more than a church committee assigned to raise money for the budget. Christians are expected to act as responsible caretakers of everything we've been given by God. All have abilities to accomplish this work, and the apostle Paul reminds us that everyone, including children, must work together.

Without being heavy-handed or didactic, Last Stop on Market Street teaches the value, and fun, of acceptance, generosity, appreciation, and imagination in a less than perfect world. Nana, a strong, graceful African-American grandmother, believes in finding beauty in the world around her. And she lives by what she believes. She gently imparts her wisdom to him on a crosstown bus trip that takes them from church to the soup kitchen where they help out each Sunday after church.

In Being Thankful, Little Critter isn't getting anything he wants. Gator gets cool brand-new sneakers, while Little Critter is stuck with his boring blue ones. Tiger’s dad has a boat—but not Little Critter’s dad. And even at the ice cream shop, Little Critter can’t enjoy his chocolate ice cream cone because he would rather have a huge ice cream sundae instead. But on a trip to the farm, Grandma shows Little Critter why thankfulness is so important and helps make any situation seem so much happier.

We can’t be grateful for that which we don’t even know exists. We know that the flower doesn’t go from bud to blossom in one spritely burst, yet we crave stories of overnight success and spontaneous self-actualization, disinterested in the tedium of the blossoming, in the incremental ripening by which we become who we are, the innumerable tiny choices, the imperceptibly small steps by which we pave the path to our own destiny in the very act of walking it. This lovely book is a meditation on being present even as it celebrates the gifts of presence.

This is a lovely story of generosity, community and gratitude and a gorgeously constructed book of collages made with cut paper, paint, and marker. It's certainly a worthy recipient of the Caldecott Honor. The bold colors in Thank You, Omu! create a lively city-feel and reflect the diversity of Omu's community. The steam that floats through the window and out into the neighborhood is like a thread that holds the story together, and looks like comfort and an invitation.

The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences.

Consider keeping a gratitude journal. There are lots of different options available online with suggestions/prompts for writing. The simplest format is to just write three things observed for which you are grateful. Some good ideas are here.

Gratitude practice can be used to promote a positive mood, hope, and resilience. As we experience positive emotions such as gratitude, loving-kindness, and compassion, our awareness broadens and our creativity and problem-solving capacities blossom, and we become more effective in whatever we choose to do.

A Thankful Practice:  Have you ever wondered about the connection between happiness and gratitude? This experiment gives us a practice that makes everyone happy!