Children’s Book Review: "Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story," by Pat Zietlow Miller

Thanksgiving is all about celebrating family (and food, of course!), and the new picture book, Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, demonstrates this theme perfectly. It takes place in nineteenth-century America, so children can see how dinners were prepared during a time when they didn’t have modern conveniences like microwave ovens and electric mixers. It’s a great history lesson! But it also imparts the timeless lesson that families can work together to create a special day.
I love the song-like quality of the story, like the following verse that starts the book:
Mama, fetch the cooking pot.
Fetch our turkey-cooking pot.
Big and old and black and squat.
Mama, fetch the pot.
Everyone in the family has a job. Papa tends to the fire; Sister makes the bread; Brother bastes the turkey. Even Grandma and Grandpa pitch in to make the cranberries and pies. Aunt and Uncle arrive and also lend a helping hand. Finally, dinner is ready.
Family, find your dining place.
Choose a chair and fill your space.
Bow your heads and ask for grace.
Family, find your place.
With heartwarming illustrations by Jill McElmurry, this book will charm children and adults alike. Food and family -- what could be better for Thanksgiving?!
Visit author Pat Zietlow Miller at patzietlowmiller.com
Visit illustrator Jil McElmurry at jillmcelmurry.com

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my honest review. This post contains my Amazon affiliate link.