Oasis for YA knows that the surest way to get good things in life is to be thankful for what you have.  So why not encourage a group thankful-fest once a week in which we all send out good energy and hope to get some back in return? Plus, participating in Thankful Thursday is a great way to connect with other writers.

Here are the rules:
1.  Do your own blog post on what you’re thankful for today.  It doesn’t have to be book or publishing related (but it can be!).
2.  Be sure to grab our badge and include it in your post.
3.  Post a link to your blog in the comments here so that others can find you.
4.  Go forth and share your gratitude!  (And when friending new blogs, be sure to let them know you found them because of their participation in the meme.)

Today’s Prompt: Let’s get out of the realm of writing and YA for a bit. What picture book are you thankful for?

I absolutely adore picture books. At one point several years ago, I was certain that if I ever wrote a book, it’d be a picture book. Then I discovered the awesomeness that is YA and the rest is history… Still, I buy picture books *almost* as often as I buy YA, and my daughter has acquired quite a collection. In fact, she told me the other day that her bedroom is “kind of like a library.”

One of our favorites is Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.

From Goodreads: Madeline is one of the best-loved characters in children’s literature. Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl’s trip to the hospital was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940 and has as much appeal today as it did then. The combination of a spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes Madeline a perennial favorite with children of all ages.

I remember reading Madeline with my mom decades ago, and I love reading it with my daughter today. (She’s very big on fairly tales and Princesses, so any time I find a real-life story she truly enjoys, it’s a win.) Madeline is simple yet incredibly charming, and the illustrations are uniquely beautiful. There’s an interesting sense of urgency that comes across as you read (especially if you’re reading out loud, I think), something I picked up on as a child and have come to really appreciate as an adult. Definitely check Madeline out if you haven’t read it before–especially if you have a child and DEFINITELY if you have a little girl.

What picture book are you thankful for?