Welcome to Saturday Story Spotlight, my new feature where I discuss books my husband and I are reading with our son, Daniel. These are books that he, we, or all of us particularly enjoy, since we are definitely reading more than one book a week! Also, if anyone is interested in helping me make a button for this feature, please let me know.
My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin
When I was looking at Thanksgiving books for Daniel this year, I went in two directions. One book I bought was a flashy turkey counting book with crinkly turkey feathers, the other was Tomie dePaola’s “My First Thanksgiving.” I’m not going to lie, part of the reason I’m writing about dePaola’s book is because we seem to have lost the crinkly feather book somewhere in Daniel book piles after a couple of readings and I cannot recall the title but, surprisingly, it never really captured his attention like I thought it would.
I originally bought “My First Thanksgiving” on the strength of Tomie dePaola’s name alone. To be completely honest, I thought that it looked a little boring, especially for someone Daniel’s age. My original intention was that this would be for the future and the flashy Thanksgiving book would be for this year. Surprisingly, though, Daniel actually seemed to enjoy this one, which gives the young child version of both the first Thanksgiving and basic modern American Thanksgiving traditions in a few concise pages, more than the other. I think it had a lot to do both with the laconic yet informative style, and with dePaola’s trademark fabulous illustrations.
dePaola proves that you don’t need to be flashy to create a great children’s book, and I can definitely recommend “My First Thanksgiving.” What are your kids’ favorite Thanksgiving picture books?
Buy this book from:
Powells.*
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.*
Amazon.*
* These links are all affiliate links. If you buy your book here I’ll make a very small amount of money that goes towards hosting, giveaways, etc.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010
Cute one! We have a Precious Moments board book that’s very cute — lists little blessings. And I am featuring a cute one tomorrow from my childhood!
You’re right – most of Vance’s favorite books weren’t the flashy ones. This sounds like a wonderfully sweet book.
Adorable! We looove Tomie dePaola.
I like the idea of this feature. I would help you with the button if you like. Email me what you are looking for and I can send you a few ideas.
Ava and I like A Plump and Perky Turkey
Visiting from the Kid Konnection! Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving book. My son’s favorite one this year (and last year) is A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. I did our review on my reading list from this week. I’m #10 on the Konnection list.
De Paola is captivating no matter how young or old you are!
We have that book! Our favorite Thanksgiving book is Thanksgiving Day by Anne and Lizzie Rockwell
http://www.amazon.com/Thanksgiving-Day-Anne-Rockwell/dp/0064437892/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290620417&sr=1-3