Over the river...

I love Thanksgiving. For me it's a time to enjoy family and to reflect on all the good in our lives. This picture book brings all that is good about Thanksgiving to life for me. Thanksgiving is so much more than the Pilgrim/Wampanoag story. It's a centuries-old tradition of celebrating hard work, the harvest, and family.


This is my favorite version of "Over the River and Through the Wood." It brings Lydia Maria Child's poem to life and in the back is the actual music and lyrics. We pull it out every year and play it on our recorders.

Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood-
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
as over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood
and straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow-
it is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood-
when Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, "o, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for every one."

Over the river, and through the wood-
now Grandmothers cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!