Image via Thora Thinks Press
Thanksgiving has always, always been my favorite holiday. It’s one of the few that’s not steeped in religion, that’s not hyped with commercialism. Thanksgiving is just about good people coming together, and good food on the table, and stopping to give a little gratitude. Of course it’s my favorite!
But as a vegan, Thanksgiving – as most people celebrate it – can also be difficult. It can be a sad season, for sure. This year I’m looking forward to exploring some of these issues here on Bonzai, and this, my friends, is a spectacular place to start.
You may remember from past reviews (omg, I forgot about those pictures of Waits! dying!), that I’m a super huge fan of Nathalie VanBalen (author of Garlic-Onion-Beet-Spinach-Mango-Carrot-Grapefruit Juice). So when Nathalie emailed me about her new coloring zine, you better believe I was excited! Nathalie wrote:
Last week I had one of those cartoon light bulbs appear above my head: “Aha! The world needs a vegan Thanksgiving coloring zine!” So I wrote a celebratory, rhyming poem called Happy Thanksliving!, cancelled my weekend plans, and have been drawing drawing drawing . . . The zine is lively and upbeat, while raising some good questions about turkeys, American Indians, and more. It celebrates fall produce in all of its glory. Here’s an excerpt:
There isn’t a turkey on our table
and we’re happy to tell you why-
because turkeys are friends (like cats and dogs)
and feathered friends must fly!
We don’t want our friends in cages,
we don’t want our friends to hurt,
we certainly don’t want to eat our friends,
so instead we’ll dig in the dirt!
Potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, CRUNCH!
Greens & beans, oh my-
Thank you thank you apple tree,
tonight we’re having pie!
LOVE! So good, right?!
I’ve read this to Waits over and over, and he just adores it. The rhymes are clever, the message is subtle and sweet and totally positive, and the whole thing reads like a true celebration of compassion.
Plus, you know, COLORING! So fun.
The details:
-zines cost $5 each (this includes shipping within the U.S.)
-20 pages, black and white, printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
-bound with thread rather than staples for the safety of little ones
-coloring fun for people of all ages! (Sayward’s note – I can attest to this!)
You can order your copy of Happy Thanksliving here, and I really hope that you will! You’ll be supporting an incredible self-funded artist and an all-around wonderful lady. And of course, you’ll also be helping to spread a message of compassion for this holiday season!
And with that, I leave you with an outtake. What a turkey! (and I mean that as the highest of compliments, of course!)
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