Notice the Good Stuff by Naomi Shulman, illustrated by Hsinping Pan; North Adams, Massachusetts: StoreyPublishing (c) 2021; 40 pages; $12.95 on Amazon.
SAN DIEGO — The PJ Library says Notice the Good Stuff: Give Thanks is for 8-year-olds, but I think there are many adults who would profit as well from its upbeat message.
Sure, some of the suggestions like this one are for children: “On your way to school, notice things you see and say what is special about them.” Calling the game “I Spy Gratitude,” the book offers as an example, “I spy … a bird! She makes beautiful music.” Perhaps adults could play this game too on the way to work, particularly if someone else is driving!
“I spy San Diego Bay after I exit the I-5 Interchange at 4th Street and drive under a bridge!”
Clearly adults can partake of another suggestion: “You can raise money for tzedakah … Giving tzedakah helps make the world better.”
Another suggestion–to learn to say thank you in different languages — has no age barriers. “Todah” in Hebrew is like “Xie xie” in Mandarin and “Shukran” in Arabic, “Asante” in Swahili, “Arigato” in Japanese, “Gracias” in Spanish and “Merci” in French.
The suggestion “appreciate the animals” is not confined only to children. “Gently move a worm from a hot sidewalk to the cool grass; it will feel more comfortable” is one suggestion. I take walks with a septuagenarian neighbor who never fails to do that for caterpillars, which we see more often that worms.
Another suggestion is to “put gratitude on the menu! — Go around the table and ask each person to say one thing they are thankful for.” Many families do this at Thanksgiving, but wouldn’t they profit by doing it more often? Saying thank you can put a smile on your face!
I believe families would benefit by reading this book aloud with their children, and then by practicing what they preach. Who knows, the world might just become a happier place!
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Donald H. Harrison is editor emeritus of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com