Giving Thanks

How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

By: Denise Kiernan

Narrated by: Maggi-Meg Reed

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.

Critic reviews

"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