America Gives Thanks

America Gives Thanks is a picture book that celebrates the power of speaking up. Readers take a journey through Washington, DC, meeting inspiring historical figures who used their voices to uplift others and discovering how to follow in their footsteps.

America is excited for their class’s upcoming field trip to the nation’s capital. When the other kids start complaining about the trip, America is confused. Their teacher, Mr. Downs, uses the opportunity to teach a valuable lesson: Complaining, when done thoughtfully, can lead to positive change.

As the students walk through the historic halls of the Supreme Court and around the National Mall, where they visit celebrated monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, historical figures come to life for America. Is that portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg winking? Each figure tells a story of how complaining sparked change and led to hope for a better world. America finds their perspective shifting from focusing on complaints to understanding the change they can inspire.