What are you grateful for?

The year is going by so quickly, isn't it? Time seems to accelerate as we get older.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, in the US at least, so have you started thinking about what you're grateful for yet? It's a great way to warm yourself up as it gets colder outside, kind of like closing your eyes and thinking about the sun.

Last year, I wrote a few posts relating to gratitude. In Putting the thanks and the giving back in Thanksgiving, I made a list of ideas and activities to get you and your family members thinking about what the holiday means to you.

I received two emails last week which got me thinking about 2 additional items I could add to that list. They were from 2 picture book authors, and even though the focus of this blog has shifted away from picture books, I reserve the right to mention them on occasion, especially when they directly relate to the topic like these do!

The first one is Dallas Clayton's An Awesome Book of Thanks! You can see the entire book through that link, even though the hard copy won't come out until next week. I love the colorful illustrations and the whole idea of it. It's sure to get you thinking and cheer you up. If you like it so much that you would like to purchase it via Amazon, here's the link to An Awesome Book of Thanks! So, one idea I would add is to read books about gratitude together.

The second one is Artie Bennett's The Butt Book, which has absolutely nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but everything to do with sharing gratitude through humor. Some adults may not appreciate it, but the children are sure to. And we have to be grateful for anything that will make children laugh, sing, or dance. Don't we? So, the other idea I would add is when things get serious in your life, it might help to find someone or something which will make you laugh. Let's be grateful for the giggles.

Here are some related posts from last year:

• 8 Ways to Turn Around Your Day

• Let's Keep the Focus on Gratitude this Holiday Season

• Picture Books for Peace, Part 6: This One's a Keeper

Please feel free to add to the list! Have a wonderful week.