By Guest Blogger Ellen Bryant Lloyd

Win a book of your choice from today’s blog! Details below!

Gratitude: grat·i·tude ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/ noun — the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

During the Thanksgiving season, conversation frequently centers around being grateful. As I get older, I have started to realize the bigger goal of keeping an attitude of gratitude beyond this time of year. Imagine the difference it could make in our lives and in our world if we all maintained a practice of gratitude. There are numerous studies and accounts of people that point to the major impact the simple act of being grateful has on their lives. I admit that it is hard to keep a grateful mindset at all times, but when I do, it is powerful.

My selections this month focus on gratitude. My hope is that we all realize the value in having a grateful heart, and strive to practice gratitude each and every day. I have a sense that it will be worth it for us all.

Preschool — Happy Thanksgiving, Curious George by H. A. Rey

Curious George loves Thanksgiving, and is excited to experience all this day brings. Short poems in this tabbed-page board book document Curious George’s eventful day. Beginning with a wonderful parade replete with music, jugglers and big balloons, and followed by enjoying a scrumptious meal with all the trimmings, young fans will enjoy following this lovable monkey as travels through his day in traditional Curious George fashion highlighted by his fun-loving antics.

Early Elementary — The Very Fairy Princess: Attitude of Gratitude by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

Young Gerry is looking forward to this day at school — it is Gratitude Day! On this day, everyone in school is encouraged to express their gratitude and kindness to others. Gerry is prepared with a vast supply of compliments to share with friends, a contribution for the food drive and a donation of one of her paintings to the class art gallery. However, she discovers the real challenge to being grateful comes when times get tough… can she maintain an attitude of gratitude when things don’t go well? Mother daughter duo, Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, have written a delightful story that illustrates what gratitude looks like for children, and how they can maintain that attitude even during challenging times.

Middle School — Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

This skillfully crafted story features 7 narrators, all students in Mr. Terupt’s 5th grade class. Mr. Terupt is a new and insightful teacher that truly understands the children and what makes them “tick.” From the class bully to the class brain, each student offers a different perspective on their teacher and what makes him special. However, all changes one day after an unfortunate accident. This book offers a powerful message of forgiveness and lots of food for thought.

High School — The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

How would you live your life it you knew it was going to end soon? What would you want your legacy to be? These are questions Randy Pausch pondered after being diagnosed with terminal, pancreatic cancer in September 2006. One of the things Pausch did was give a lecture to his class at Carnegie Mellon University called “The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” on September 18, 2007. The video of his lecture was widely viewed online, and media appearances and a book by the same name soon followed. This book is a summation of all that he believed and offers encouragement for all to live fully and embrace each moment of life. It truly is a “must read” book.

Moms — The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Change Transform Your Life by Janice Kaplan

Journalist Janice Kaplan made a decision one New Year’s Eve that changed her life. She made a decision to be grateful and find the positive in every situation she faced. For the twelve months that followed, Kaplan discovered that her attitude and perspective on things made more of an impact in her life than the actual events she experienced. In fact, she realized that the simple act of being grateful transformed every aspect of her life. She documented her personal experiences and research she conducted on the subject in this book, which encourages readers to shift their attitude paradigm to one of gratitude, and embrace the possibility of living a better life.

Remember to share your thoughts and comments, and you could be selected to win a copy of one of the books, compliments of Barnes & Noble, Friendly Shopping Center, Greensboro. The staff of Triad Moms on Main will choose a random winner one week after the blog runs. (Please be sure to enter your email address when you fill out your comment so they have a way to contact you.)
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Ellen Bryant Lloyd is the author of FRECKLES and FRECKLES and The Great Beach Rescue. Please visit www.funwithfreckles.com and www.facebook.com/funwithfreckles to learn more about Freckles. Ellen writes a blog about her perspectives on life and parenting at  www.mindfulmom.wordpress.com and tweets at @EllenBLloyd. She lives in Greensboro with her husband and two children.

To read Ellen’s previous Book Nook blogs, click HERE!