Celebrate Thanksgiving
Fact or Fiction: Macy's was the first American department store to sponsor a parade in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Fiction. The Philadelphia department store Gimbel's had sponsored a parade in 1920, but the Macy's parade, launched four years later, soon became a Thanksgiving tradition and the standard kickoff to the holiday shopping season. The parade became ever more well-known after it featured prominently in the hit film Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which shows actual footage of the 1946 parade. In addition to its famous giant balloons and floats, the Macy's parade features live music and other performances, including by the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and cast members of well-known Broadway shows.
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.
Historians have also recorded other ceremonies of thanks among European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Berkeley Plantation, Virginia. At this site near the Charles River in December of 1619, a group of British settlers led by Captain John Woodlief knelt in prayer and pledged "Thanksgiving" to God for their healthy arrival after a long voyage across the Atlantic. This event has been acknowledged by some scholars and writers as the official first Thanksgiving among European settlers on record. Whether at Plymouth, Berkeley Plantation, or throughout the Americas, celebrations of thanks have held great meaning and importance over time. The legacy of thanks, and particularly of the feast, have survived the centuries as people throughout the United States gather family, friends, and enormous amounts of food for their yearly Thanksgiving meal.
Taken from the History Channel (http://www.history.com/content/thanksgiving)
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
10 Fat Turkeys
Tony Johnston
Illustrated by Rich Deas
It is a countdown for the 10 fat turkeys fooling on a fence and the reader can determine for himself which is the goofiest. One by one they fall off the fence with their silly antics. One swings from a vine, one roller skates, one rides a boar, etc. At last there are none on the fence. And no more fence. Where have the turkeys gone? Why, they are fooling in a tree. Deas’ humorous illustrations capture the silliness of this book. The turkeys are decked out in a wide range of hats and costumes. One is in an old-time aviator’s outfit, while another is in a tuxedo and top hat. The board book format seems an unusual choice for a book that will be most appreciated by kindergarten and first graders who enjoy this type of humor. 2009 (orig. 2004), Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 4 to 6, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-16469-6
ISBN: 0-545-16469-9
Duck for Turkey Day
Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter
Tuyet is worried about a turkey for Thanksgiving. Her Vietnamese family will be eating duck; at school, everyone is talking about “Turkey Day” and making pinecone turkeys. Ba Noi, Tuyet’s grandmother, arrives from New York bringing her special recipe for spicy duck and the family drives to the well-stocked Saigon Supermarket to buy--duck, not turkey. With her aunt, uncle, and cousins joining them for a delicious Vietnamese dinner, Tuyet has a wonderful day, though she is still afraid they did not celebrate Thanksgiving properly. Back at school, she discovers that her classmates did not either but ate dinners ranging from noodles and chicken (Phong), lamb (Tarek), and enchiladas (Carolina) to tofu turkey (Amy) and roast beef (Jonathan). Enthusiastically, Tuyet decides that her family can call the holiday “Duck Day.” This is a sweet story that will resonate with most younger readers. Mitter’s flat, colorful pictures show a happy, well-adjusted family (though we do not know anything about their past or when they immigrated) living in a typical American house with touches of bright Vietnamese fabrics and ceramics. The appealing spread of meats and fish, sauces, and fresh vegetables at the market could spark discussion and might even inspire a multicultural feast at school before the holiday. 2009, Albert Whitman, $16.99. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780807517345
ISBN: 0807517348
I’m a Turkey
Jim Arnosky
Arnosky says that while he was watching wild turkeys in the field, the tune and these lines just formed in his mind. Follow the directions to download the song from the internet to hear Arnosky sing the song himself. The difficulties of flying and being on the lookout for predators are humorously presented in both text and illustration. Tom is definitely a turkey with personality. Large, clear pictures and short lines make this suitable for a family program at the public library or for young children in a school. Arnosky varies his palette from page to page and includes both day and night scenes. Everyone will be talkin’ or should I say singin’ turkey by the end of this book. It is a good addition to the Thanksgiving shelf. 2009, Scholastic, Ages 3 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-90364-6
ISBN: 0-439-90364-5
I’m No Turkey!
Hans Wilhelm
It is Thanksgiving and Noodles, the dog, is excited. When the doorbell rings, he welcomes everyone inside. The children take construction paper out of a bag and put together hats. It looks like fun to Noodles but then he starts to worry. Why are the children all looking at him? And what are they making? Suddenly Noodles cries out, “What are you doing? Stop it! I’m no turkey!” Noodles does not like the cat laughing at him, nor does he feel stylish in feathers. But how is he supposed to take this costume off? Just when it looks like a hopeless cause, Noodles comes up with a plan: he wears the feather on his hat like a proud chief. And he heads up the parade, marching around the living room. At the end of the story, Noodles realizes, “Someone else can be the Thanksgiving turkey.” In this delightful story, Noodles takes beginning readers on a fun journey through the Thanksgiving holiday. 2009, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-07077-5
The Jamestown Colony
Charles E Pederson
As one of the earliest stable colonies established by England in North America, the Jamestown Colony holds unequaled significance in the history of the United States. Jamestown set the stage for many of the traditions and procedures that would be formed into laws and later shape the governing policies of the young United States. Pederson does not mince words and presents the hardships the company faced settling in a new world in stark contrast to the goals of the Virginia Company, based in England, which sponsored settlement of the Jamestown Colony. Hoping for a quick return to their investment in the form of gold, the Virginia Company spent several years pouring money into the colony--until the British government determined the Jamestown Colony had failed and took over the governorship of the colony. In recent years archaeological digs at the original Jamestown settlement have shed light on the history of the colony, and continued research into the area continues to put many mysteries to rest. Filled with historical images from the area and numerous sidebars that focus on people and events of the era, the text is a more than adequate introduction to the history of the Jamestown Colony and is part of the “Essential Events” series. 2009, Abdo Consulting Group, $32.79. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Danielle Williams (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781604535150
ISBN: 1604535156
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie
Jill Esbaum
Beautiful color photographs of many types of pumpkins are found on every layout. In this book, explore the different facets of the pumpkin. The story begins with the growth of the seed into a pumpkin plant. The pictures capture the various stages of the pumpkin’s development from seed to pumpkin and the different stages in between. There are snapshots that show some of the different varieties of the pumpkins along with what the pumpkin looks like on the inside. Although pumpkins are used to make different goodies to eat, pumpkins are also associated with carving jack-o’-lanterns. The different glowing faces of the jack-o’-lanterns are included. The story comes to the end with the final stages of the pumpkin. Extra pumpkins are fed to farm animals and some pumpkins are left to replenish the earth as they decay. Some children who are able to read the text may need some guidance in navigating the text within the page and layout. This book is part of National Geographic’s “Picture the Seasons” series. It makes a nice addition to an autumn unit of study. 2009, National Geographic Society, Ages 3 to 8, $5.95. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung
ISBN: 978-1-4263-0582-5
Thanksgiving
Lynn Peppas
Thanksgiving is a national holiday and a time to give thanks for the harvest. When the pilgrims landed in December of 1620, they had no homes and little food. Many died. In the spring, Native Americans called the Wampanoag taught the pilgrims what crops to grow in this new land. At the harvest, the pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared a feast. This was the first Thanksgiving. Now turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie are part of the traditional dinner. “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,” and “Over the River and Through the Woods,” are songs related to this holiday. Parades and football games have come to be part of the American celebration. A Thanksgiving Day is also celebrated in Canada. Every page has drawings or clear colored photographs. At the bottom of even numbered pages special facts are inserted such as: “Some people say a special prayer before eating their turkey dinners. They give thanks for their many blessings.” This is one of the “Celebrations in My World” series. A glossary of words in bold print in the text and an index are included. Children will enjoy this slick paperback with its simple text and big pictures and will gain an understanding of the holiday. 2009, Crabtree Publishing Company, $26.60 and $8.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 9780778743095
ISBN: 0778743098
Thanksgiving Rules
Laurie Friedman
Illustrated by Teresa Murfin
Friedman’s title for this work is a double entendre that both cheers for the holiday and hints at the guidance provided within in. In rhyming verse, narrator Percy Isaac Gifford (yes, pig) announces that he is a Thanksgiving expert whose list of 10 rules is essential information for everyone. From “smile and say pumpkin pie” to “life is sweeter when you eat sweets,” Percy dashes through the holiday jotting off bits of wisdom to enhance the most foodcentric day of the year. Readers may begin to feel nauseated by the time they reach his “Official Thanksgiving Decree,” urging the reader to eat “EVERYTHING” and listing more than three dozen types of foods that might be found on the Thanksgiving buffet. But they will feel better once they pass the dessert page and find rule #10, “A hug makes the heart grow fonder.” Even food-hound Percy knows that Thanksgiving isn’t just about the buffet, but a “day to show your loved ones what they mean to you.” There are no pilgrims to be found in the pages of this book, and no stiff history lessons. Instead, readers get a rollicking good romp through food and family festivities. Teachers may find this lively book useful for launching discussion of students’ own holiday practices or favorite Thanksgiving foods. 2009, Carolrhoda Books, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780822579830
ISBN: 0822579839
Turkey Trouble
Wendi Silvano
Illustrated by Lee Harper
This lively offering brings together a few classic childhood dilemmas--while we all love the feast, it is always a bit conflicting to think of the turkey running about merrily one day and dead the next to feast upon. And then there is that other early childhood question--do we change who we are if we change our appearance? In this case, Turkey tries to disguise himself as other farmyard animals--but his turkey nature ends up showing through. Fortunately his last attempt to pass himself off as a pizza delivery man satisfies the human family and Turkey enjoys his best Thanksgiving ever. Harper’s drawings have just the right degree of exaggeration to reassure young readers that Turkey will prevail in being himself in the end--and that is what they should do as well. 2009, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455295
ISBN: 0761455299
Two Bad Pilgrims
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrated by John Manders
Color Work by Vince Dorse
Young readers will be intrigued right from the get go as they are introduced to the Billington boys who almost blew up the Mayflower. Lasky explains in her author’s note in the back of the book how she came across these boys and their parents while working on a previous book about the Pilgrims and she wanted to tell their story. The result is a lively and informational text accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations that will capture the imagination of its readers. Anyone who thought all those on the Mayflower were prim, proper, and prayerful will learn something new. Solid historical information about the arrival and first year of the Pilgrims is presented from the perspective of a professor with side conversations between Johnny and Francis Billington. Just as one would expect from these hooligans, the banter in their dialogue balloons is humorously irreverent. The illustrations are a combined cartoon/picture book/graphic novel style. This new perspective will be an effective way to introduce a Thanksgiving unit to those who think they have heard it all before. Boys in particular will gravitate to this book. 2009, Viking/Penguin, Ages 7 to 10, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-670-06168-6
The Wampanoag
Pamela Dell
Living in the northeastern United States, the Wampanoag were the first to encounter the Mayflower--a meeting that would lead to hardship, war and diseases for the “people of the first light.” Prior to the arrival of the Mayflower and for a time afterwards, the Wampanoags’ lives were centered around hunting and gathering. Quahogs, a shellfish, were used for eating as well as for the creation of wampum. Wampum was created by making beads from the shells to use as jewelry and belts; it was also used as a form of trade. Animals provided tools and clothes. The Wampanoag also grew three main crops: squash, corn, and beans which were known as the “three sisters.” In the summer they had small homes called wetus--saplings covered with woven mats of cattails. Winter homes were a form of a longhouse called nushwetu. This home was in the shape of a loaf of bread and covered with bark. The Wampanoag only took what they needed from nature, a philosophy that the continually arriving Europeans did not share. Europeans demanded more land and did not respect the Natives. They overran their grounds for the farming and grazing of their animals. Metacom, a Wampanoag, was known to the English as King Phillip. He tried to rebel against the English in 1675, but his rebellion was crushed with the English burning Indian villages and selling Indians as slaves. When Phillip was caught and killed his head was cut off and mounted on a post at Plymouth where it was displayed for twenty-five years. Today, Wampanoag are trying to regain their culture and previous way of life. While lacking in some detail, The Wampanoag is a good resource for those who are looking for something that shows this Native American group as something beyond just boat greeters for the Mayflower and attendees at the “First Thanksgiving.” A good variety of woodcuts, maps, and photographs of modern day Wampanoag in traditional dress help to bring more depth to these people where the information is lacking. Part of the “First American” series. 2008, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 8 to 10, $21.95. Reviewer: Patrick Hunter (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-3024-7
Who Stole Grandma’s Million-Dollar Pumpkin Pie?
Martha Freeman
“The Chickadee Court Mysteries” continue with this fourth book in the series and follows: Who is Stealing the 12 Days of Christmas?; Who Stole Halloween?; and Who Stole Uncle Sam? How many eleven-year-olds have a stay-at-home dad who is a superb chef, a workaholic mother, a grandmother with TV-celebrity-cooking-show connections, and a cat whose wise insight gives additional meaning to the story? Even the family name, Parakeet, gives the reader pause for thought The actions of all of these characters are woven into a superb plot as the Chickadee Court Detective Agency springs into action to find who stole the recipe for Grandma’s one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. The recipe contains a special secret ingredient. Alex Parakeet and his best friend, Yasmeen, embark on solving the crime using their detective guidelines of who had means, motive, and opportunity to steal the priceless document. A host of somewhat eccentric relatives, neighbors and friends are added to the list of suspects. Did someone steal the recipe before Alex’s father could show the pie on a TV food show with Grandma’s TV celebrity friend, and hope to present the pie as their own recipe? It is a hilarious mystery romp as the intrepid detectives discover who the culprit really is. The identity of the thief is a surprise to everyone. 2009, Holiday House, Ages 8 to12, $16.95. Reviewer: Annie Laura Smith (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2215-9
ISBN: 0-8234-2215-1
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Updated 10/27/2009
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