7 minute read
Season of Gratitude
Give Back to your Community, Family and Self with a Variety of Events Focused on Gratitude
By Lori Holewinski, Deputy Director of Impact
The spotlight is on gratitude this season. Gratitude is defined as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. Experts tell us that practicing gratitude can improve mental health, strengthen relationships and reduce stress. During this season HEPL is offering a program focused on gratitude activities. A selection of activities are provided for all ages and you can do them at your own pace – as few or as many as you wish. Here is how it works:
• Log into your Beanstack account (or create an account) here: https://hepl.beanstack. org/reader365 • Enroll in one or all Season of Gratitude programs (Family, Self, Community) • Complete the required number of activities in each program to earn a badge • Enjoy a renewed sense of thankfulness for those you consider family, for your community and for yourself
The Season of Gratitude activities will be available from November 15, 2020 through January 15, 2021. To make it even more fun to focus on the positive things in your life all participants who have earned a badge will be entered into a final drawing for prize bundles reflective of the theme of gratitude. Take a few moments this season to join us in practicing gratitude!
T H Y O U Highlights
Want to do Season of Gratitude activities on Beanstack, but not sure what to expect? Here is a preview of some the kids’ activities you will find starting November 15: • Community Gratitude Activity: We are thankful when we have abundance.
Kids can share toys with their community by donating unused toys that are in good condition. • Family Gratitude Activity: To show appreciation for family, kids might cook with their grownups. One activity includes instructions for making a recipe box to store family favorites. • Self-Gratitude Activity: Movement is a good way to relieve stress. Grownups can learn other ways to help children maintain mental health by reading the article shared with this activity.
N E T E
#GratitudeAttitude for Teens
Thursday, November 5 | 6-7 pm. | Virtual
Chief Happiness Officer Sarah Ratekin talks to teens about how and why we should cultivate a #GratitudeAttitude. Registration required.
L T D U A
Wednesday, November 18 | 7-8 pm. | Virtual | Gratitude: Why Giving Thanks is So Good for Us (and Others) Thursday, December 3 | 7-8 pm. | Virtual | Gratitude Attitude: The Gift That Keeps Giving Tuesday, January 12 | 7-8 pm. | Virtual | New Year, New You, New Reasons to Keep Being Grateful
To celebrate HEPL’s Season of Gratitude, join Sarah Ratekin, Chief Happiness Officer of Happiness is Courage Inc. for this series of interactive workshops to learn how gratitude practices can positively impact your life. More info on page 13.
I T E N I G
Ignite Studio Activity Packs (More info on Page 17)
Ignite’s Activity Packs are sets of materials you can pick up at the library to do at home, on your own time. These activities correspond with learning tracks in Beanstack. Packs are available for pick up November 16 thru midJanuary (while supplies last). After you’ve completed your activity, log it in Beanstack. (See page 17 for a full description of each pack)
· Family Activity Pack: Collaborative Drawing Game
· Self-Activity Pack: Gratitude Sun Collage
· Community Activity Pack: Gratitude Postcards
Gratitude Reading for Youth and Teens
Angela Dubinger, Youth Collection Development Librarian
Walking barefoot in the grass in summer. Donning a favorite sweatshirt to explore the crisp outdoors. The joys of curling up with a loved one to read a beloved story (maybe one that you’ve read a million times, right?). Sharing food with friends and family, creating art to display in your neighborhood, or discovering new truths as we grow. Below is a book list for youth that examine and convey gratitude of daily delights— in community, through self-reflection and poetry, amidst conflict and resolve. These resources are in support of the library’s program “Season of Gratitude.”
Youth Picks Teen Picks
Thank You Omu by Oge Mora
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
We are Grateful: Ostaliheliga by Traci Sorrell, illustrated by Frané Lessac
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López
Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles
Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
Jade is a talented collage artist who struggles growing up in Portland, Oregon and eventually finds ways, through a new mentor, to express herself with family, community and her art. (Hoopla audiobook) (Libby ebook)
Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
Maya Aziz is from an IndianAmerican Muslim family, trying to find the balance between two cultures, grappling with Islamophobia, school, and her dreams of becoming a filmmaker. (Hoopla audiobook)
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
Adopted at birth, Grace discovers that she is a middle child of both the biological younger sister, Maya, and older brother, Joaquin. Grace recently put her own child up for adoption and is now getting to know Maya, who feels out of place in her adopted family, and Joaquin, who has spent 17 years in the foster care system. Families can be made anew and abandonment has far-reaching effects. (Libby audiobook, ebook) (Hoopla ebook)
Gratitude Reading for Adults
Joseph Wooley, Collection Development Librarian
The end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect on what makes us grateful. This could take a variety of forms: relying on a family member to get through a difficult time or integrating with a community to enrich one’s life. Below is a selection of titles which highlight fictional characters experiencing such emotions or nonfictional discussions about reasons to express gratitude. From books to films to graphic novels, there is sure to be something that inspires gratitude in the following list.
The American Spirit by David McCullough
This collection of essays by one of America’s most notable historians presents how we are united under values and principles that define us as American.
As Good As It Gets (DVD)
After going through a traumatic experience, four characters find their lives better off when they form new friendships and reconnect with family.
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
An eccentric artist attempts to get strangers to open up to each other, which ends up bringing a group together as friends.
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Indiana poet Ross Gay features essays of written joy during times of great adversity.
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
When a woman uproots her life to help her son, she learns a new sense of happiness as she immerses herself in a new community.
Daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
A graphic novel about an obituary writer who slowly realizes how relationships with his friends and family has made him who he is.
Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You by Clive D. L. Wynne
This book highlights how some of our most beneficial relationships are not limited to human interaction.
Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker
Popular science author makes the case for how humanity makes positive progress.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Brené Brown offers ten guideposts to lead a more wholehearted and vulnerable existence and ultimately one where it may be possible for gratitude to flow.
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
An aging narrator reminisces about her family’s position in their farming community, just as a prodigal descendent returns to take up the work.
Lion (DVD)
A young boy is separated from his family and put in an orphanage from which he is adopted. He connects with his adopted family before eventually seeking out his family and hometown.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
With the fantastical elements of magical realism, Setterfield creates a portrait of a village that unites in trying to connect a found girl with her true family.
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
A guide to dive deeper into the practice of mindfulness for those that may worry too much about the future.
The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom
The National Book Award-winning title that is partly a memoir of a loving family and partly a biography.
