5 comments about The Ugly Pumpkin.

1. It isn't often that I find a book that I am as enthused to read to my three-year-old son as he is to have it read to him. This is one of them. I picked it up at a local bookstore and from the first page, I was just delighted by the style of the art and the flow of the narrative. It is a simple story, but a classic one and I think it is a fantastic read for young kids. Definitely reccommended.



2. My mother gave this book to my 4 year-old and 2 year-old. It quickly became the family favorite. We read and enjoyed it so much that the 4-year-old had it memorized and was "reading" it to us and anyone she came in contact with. This book should be in every toddler/preschoolers library.



3. Book arrived promptly and in good condition. Cute story. Will be a birthday gift for a grandchild next fall.



4. This book is often mixed with Halloween and hard to find in November, but it's actually a Thanksgiving story. My daughter (3 yrs when we first read it) loves the revelation, of "OH my gosh, I'm a squash!" She says that all year. It's a sweet story. The artwork is a bit crazy to me, but I like the story and rhyme.



5. This is basically the ugly duckling told about a pumpkin who turns out to be a squash. Cute idea with great illustrations.
   
   Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

No comments about Dora's Thanksgiving (Dora the Explorer (8x8)).

2 comments about How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story.

1. Eve Bunting has managed to describe at a child's level the fear, anticipation and exhaustion that often accompanied many of our ancestors as they came to America. This book is a reminder of the people who both came before us and those that still come with hope to America.

   It is a beautiful, meaningful and heartwarming book to share with elementary students and families either during the Thanksgiving season or while studying history and immigration.




2. My third graders like this book very much and it sparks a lot of discussion about America and freedom. It's about a family that must flee a Caribbean island because of political persecution. They escape in a crowded boat, where they face hunger and fear. On their trip they are even robbed and shot at. Finally, they reach a friendly shore where they are welcomed and invited to share a feast, for it is Thanksgiving Day in America. They agree there is much to be thankful for. The text is very simple and the illustrations convey the mood of fear and uncertainty. This little book may bring tears to your eyes, and will definitely make you proud to be an American.

5 comments about Thanksgiving Is Here!.

1. Diane Goode went to a lot of large family gatherings when she was growing up, which is why when she asked herself "What happens at Thanksgiving?" the answer was "Why, everything!" This idea is important because you want to pay attention to the details in these pen-and-ink drawings with a watercolor wash that tell the story of what happens when twenty-eight friends and relatives arrive on Thanksgiving Day. It begins with Grandma and Grandpa rising early on Thanksgiving morning to get the turkey in the oven before the guests arrive to help, talk, and eat (not necessarily in that order). The story is told by young Maggie, who arrives with her family first, when it is time to peel the potatoes and roll out the dough. But then more people arrive, from Maggie's glamorous aunt and the uncle with a hairpiece that cannot stay in one place to the acrobatic cousin and the friendly dog that follow Maggie around. Intended for young readers age 3-8, being able to read the simple text of "Thanksgiving Is Here!" is only part of the fun. The main part comes from looking at the pictures and discovering what is in the surprise package, who might be interested in becoming more than friends, and several other things that can be learned only by carefully studying each and every illustration. "Thanksgiving Is Here!" is either a perfect reward for young readers who have helped prepare the food or set the table, or as a fun way of keeping them occupied while the adults have all the Turkey Day fun.



2. The busy, whimsical illustrations tell much of the story in this book that kids will enjoy poring over. Grandma and Grandpa are up early to wrestle the turkey into the oven. Aunts, uncles and cousins start arriving, with assorted babies, pets, paraphernalia and packages.

   The simple acts of peeling potatoes, setting the table, hunting for extra chairs, yakking, horseplay -- and several visual subplots --are joyfully depicted in this celebration of family gatherings.




3. I just love this book, it so perfectly covers Thanksgiving and families. I have read this book at least 20 times, and I still find something new. The author has thirty guests over for dinner. My boys and I have fun following a different character through the whole book. Very enjoyable!



4. This sweet book describes Thanksgiving in a big family with folks continually pouring through the door. We are a BIG family, 11 kids, 25 grandkids, and we read this to the younger ones this year. They just loved it! Sweet and loving story, I returned to buy more copies!



5. If you have big noisy Thanksgiving Dinners, this book captures that atmosphere perfectly. The text is fairly simple, but the illustrations are great. There is a lot going on and to look at. My 4 year old and 6 year old both really enjoyed reading this book.

1 comments about 175 Easy-To-Do Thanksgiving Crafts (Creative Uses for Recyclables).

1. This book is an incredible asset to any classroom. Thedirections are clear and concise and the full color pictures of theend result are great! I would highly recommend this book to any teacher in need of extra ideas!

1 comments about Run, Turkey, Run!.

1. This is a great book for children and vegetarians alike. I give thanks for this wonderfully written book and the great illustrations.

1 comments about Maisy's Thanksgiving Sticker Book (Maisy).

1. Maisy books are so easy to read and the illustrations are adorable. My little girl has over 30 of them and she loves every single one. The stickers in this book are so cute, too!

5 comments about The Story of Thanksgiving.

1. Nice clear pictures, short, simple, interesting story with appropriate emphasis on God's role in the pilgrim's lives (without being a "religious" book). My favorite thanksgiving book for little kids.



2. My 7 year old and 4 year old asked me to read this book every night since before Thanksgiving. It's December and they are still requesting it. The words are so simple, that they now recognize most of them and read to me! Simple words, but great story.



3. My five year old daughter (and to some extent my 3 y.o. son) is ready for a more advanced book than this one, but before we move on I thought I would say something about this sturdy little book that has been our foundation in Thanksgiving Day preparations for the last four years.
   
   "The Story of Thanksgiving" begins with a question about why we celebrate Thanksgiving. It then goes on to depict how the pilgrims left England to come to America. It shows pictures of sad Pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, followed by a rough ocean (at least by toddler standards) and then the thankful travelers arriving at Plymouth. (They are thankful to be on land again-LOL)
   
   After that the Pilgrims are shown briefly struggling with snow and cold, followed by a more cheerful picture of them planting. With Squanto's arrival they learn new things about the new land of America. Squanto shows them how to plant pumpkins, corn, and squash. And the book ends with a picture of Native Americans and Pilgrims at their feast; followed by a modern family at their feast.
   
   "Thank you, God, for our families, our food, and our homes" the author writes.
   
   Five Stars. A sturdy little book with child friendly artwork. The text is simple and easily understandable without needing many explanations from mom or dad. The religious aspects can be emphasized or not.
   
   Examples of text so you can judge for yourself:
   
   The Pilgrims lived in England.
   They could not have their own church,
   so they left their homes for a new land far away.
   
   From another page:
   
   The Pilgrims built their homes. Winter came.
   Icy winds blew. Snow fell.
   There was not much food to eat.



4. My daughter, 20 months at the time, absolutely loved this book. She got to the point where she would say all the key words before I did. I highly recommend it to any parent of a young toddler.



5. I bought this for a 9-month old who was our youngest Thanksgiving visitor. The story is simple, clear, and had just the right level of religious tone for me, ie: mentions thanking God without being preachy. I'm hoping it will be a special book for her for several years.

2 comments about Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving.

1. This book is an excellent way of sharing the first Thanksgiving with children. It is told from the perspective of the Native Americans, a perspective that is often overlooked. The illustrations are beautiful and help to tell the story visually.



2. The Native Americans in this book, with the lone exception of Massasoit, may have brown skin and wear traditional dress, but their facial features are totally *white* -- Squanto looks straight out of a JCrew catalog. Since when do Native Americans have turned up noses? Please. The art in this book isn't just "romanticized," it denies the physical bodies of Native Americans to the point at which it renders the accuracy of the text (and all it's good intentions) moot. Ugh. For much more interesting explorations of Native American history, I'd recommend This Land Is Your Land by George Littlechild.

3 comments about P Is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Alphabets).

1. I love this alphabet series and since it rarely is found in paperbook form, I was lucky to purchase it post-holiday. The text is very engaging and the the facts are great for older students.



2. This book had so many interesting facts about Thanksgiving and the illustrations are great. The adults and children in my family loved this book and because of the rhyming portion even very young children will love this book and get something out of it. There are alphabet books for almost any subject and for every state in the US and I have never been disappointed with any of them.



3. This is a great book for your little ones. Covers things in a general way with each letter and then in a column on each page is more detail. So, its a great book for multiple ages. This series is probably one you should consider having in your school - I purchase the books associated with my kids family history and then we can read and talk about the state/subject while adding a few family history lessons into the mix. Illustrations are great and the kids really enjoy them.