Today, we’re going to take a closer look at We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac. It’s a beautiful and lyrical picture book that’s won a pile of awards, including a Sibert and Boston Globe Horn Book Award Honors.
In fact, if you have the book, read it aloud right now. (It’s okay. I’ll wait…) And as you do, jot down the phrases that feel particularly evocative, the places where the word choice really sing. What did you notice?
Here’s one more assignment for today. Try a little writing of your own about gratitude. Choose a season and using Traci’s structure as a mentor text, write a few lines about that season and what it means in your world, what you’re grateful for, and perhaps how you express that gratitude. Consider a repeated refrain. Consider word choice. Make that season sing.
So many beautiful word choices, but these really spoke to me:
"burnt cedar's scent drifts upward during the Great New Moon Ceremony"
"While we collect buckbrush and honeysuckle to weave baskets to remember our ancestors who suffered hardship and loss on the Trail of Tears."
I took a Native American class at Northern Arizona for my Masters in English and I loved that class. I was introduced to so many new and amazing Native American authors. My great great grandmother was a Canadian Indian - Shuswap, British Columbia. My mother was always so proud of her ancestry, as I am. I am 14% Native American according to my DNA. Here is my attempt at gratitude and although sloppy and quick, thank you Traci Sorell, as I used your "template." I based this on our first granddaughter who was born last year. We had 4 grandsons, and it was so fun to finally have a granddaughter.
When new life is placed in your arms and names run through your head, we thank God.
as our ancestors nod, cousins smile, and grandparents cry, and lilac's sweet scent floats around outside during the Christening Ceremony.
as we clean the house, wear our church best, enjoy a celebration meal, and forget past hurts and quarrels.
while we each take turns holding the new infant, each hypothesizing who she looks like most...
and have hope as our Nana cradles the newest babe of the family and smiles because the girl holds her name.
As she sleeps deep and summer arrives, the baby fattens, and the sun beams, we thank God.
when we watch the stars and wade in the creek camping next to the cool mountains.
as we sink our teeth into the juicy watermelon during the Fourth of July fireworks.
while we scramble to chase a baseball that Grandpa hit over in right field.
when we recall our forefathers sacrifices to preserve our way of life, her future life.
When fall leaves fill the sidewalks and a cool breeze blows, we thank God.
While baby girl sits up and her wide eyes look all around her, we gather the last of the pumpkins and squash
and we practice patience as baby's first tooth tears through, first cold, and sleepless nights.
as we hold hands around the sumptuous feast, and younger ones fight over the wish bone, and mom's sweet-smelling rolls reminds us not to argue with each other.
as we embrace our nephew back from Iraq, serving our country.
As the toddler sleeps and snow envelopes the ground, we thank God.
While great Uncle shares stories and we savor hot chocolate and cinnamon toast.
When we create caramel corn, and Christmas cards.
As older brother teaches younger sis to sing eency weency spider, and play cars.
While we gather to remember our Savior's birth as dad cuddles the newest member of our family and we sing traditional Christmas carols, especially Rudolf the Red Nosed reindeer.
Every day, every season. Thank God.
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