Preface

    Curriculum Focus: Kentucky State Standard RL.3.3 - Describe characters in a story including but not limited to their traits, motivations, actions or feelings, and how they affect the plot.  

    This picture book explores how a character’s actions, motivations, and feelings affect the plot, aligning with RL.3.3, allowing the students to view this within a story.  Through Belle’s emotional journey from frustration to gratitude students can analyze how personal reflection can influence character development.

Expected contents - Belle’s emotional journey from feeling unthankful to discovering gratitude offers rich opportunities to explore:

    It was a cozy November evening in the little town of Maple Hollow. Belle and her cat Margot were curled up by the fireplace, the flames flickering gently. With her cranberry tea growing cold in her hands, Belle sighed. The day hadn’t gone as planned.

    Her favorite book was missing, her pumpkin pie had burned, and the wind had knocked over the porch decorations she’d worked so hard on. Margot purred and nudged her arm, but Belle just stared into the blazing fire.

    “I guess today wasn’t very special,” she whispered to Margot. That’s when Belle had an idea. A quiet, lovely way to spend the rest of this peaceful evening that might make her feel better.

    "It's a perfect evening for reading a good book," Belle said to Margot as she sat down her tea and arose to go look for a book on her bookshelf.

    As Belle reached for a book to read, something caught her eye beneath the bookshelf. Belle noticed a small envelope peeking out from under it. The edges were a little bent, and a faint smudge of dust clung to the corner of the envelope. She picked it up gently to see that her name was written across the front in soft, loopy letters. 

    Belle’s heart fluttered. 

    It was her grandmother’s handwriting. She turned it over. The date was from last November. Belle held it close, the firelight flickering across the envelope like a secret waiting to be told.

    Belle sat down on the chair beside the bookcase, the envelope resting in her lap. 

    With her hands trembling, she opened it slowly, careful not to tear the paper inside. 

    Then, she began to read the letter.

Dear Belle,

Every autumn, I sit by the fire and write down all the things I’m thankful for. It’s my favorite tradition. I hope one day you’ll try it too.

Love,

Grandma

November of Last Year

    After she read the letter, Belle smiled. The fond memories of her grandmother rushed back to her, bringing tears to her eyes. 

    Margot curled up close. Belle reached out and stroked her velvety fur. Belle looked around the cozy room and sighed. She had spent the whole day feeling grumpy and unthankful. Her grandmother's words rang in her ear.

    "I know just what to do. We need to count our blessings," Belle knowingly told Margot.

    Belle grabbed her notebook from the bookshelf and returned to the couch. She sat in front of the hearth, where she felt the fire's emanating heat. She opened her notebook to a fresh new page, where nothing was yet written. At the top, she wrote: “What I am Thankful For:”

    She paused to think for a moment, then began to write:

“A warm fireplace. Cranberry tea. Margot’s purr. The calming sound of the wind outside.” 

    With each word she wrote, Belle felt her heart grow lighter. She hadn’t noticed how many good things were still around her. Margot blinked slowly, as if she agreed.

What I am Thankful For:

- Warm Fireplace

-Cranberry tea

-Margot's purr

-The sound of the wind

What I am Thankful For:

- Fireplace

-Warm cranberry tea

-Margot's purr

-The sound of the wind

-Mom's hugs

-My favorite blanket

-The stars outside of my window

-My church family

- Margot's silly paws! 

    Belle stared at the page. After some more deep thought, she added even more to her list:

“Mom’s hugs. My favorite blanket. The stars outside my window. My church family.”

    Each word warmed Belle's heart more and more. Margot stretched and yawned, then rested her paw on Belle’s notebook. Belle giggled as she gently pushed it away so she could keep writing. 

She added one more: “Margot’s silly paws!”