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MARY’S FIRST THANKSGIVING

AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF GRATEFULNESS

Young Mary, newly arrived with her family from Ireland, has few friends, and her family doesn’t have the extra money for a turkey. But her father helps her to find gratitude by telling her the story of the Pilgrims, extending the tale beyond the storied harvest to the hard times that followed, with each colonist restricted to five kernels of corn a day until finally their prayers were answered with rain. Papp’s relentlessly lit spreads are peopled with some of the cleanest, best-fed Pilgrims and Irish immigrants in literature, complementing the highly directive subtitle to a T. The parenthetical “or else” may be unsaid, but certainly does not go unfelt. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-0-310-71179-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2008

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PLAYING WITH LANTERNS

A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.

A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks.

In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China. The snow-covered village bustles with activity as folks venture out to greet relatives and friends. “On the third day, uncles started giving LANTERNS” refers to an old custom in provincial Shaanxi—especially among maternal uncles. Palpable and immediate are Zhao Di’s eager anticipation and the care with which she “walk[s] through the snow with her lantern in case she slipped or the candle blew out in the wind.” Simple yet vivid close-ups depict Zhao Di and her friends, bundled head to toe and comparing lantern designs—accordion, watermelon, etc.—while braving the cold and a bunch of rowdy boys. All too soon, the 15th day arrives, signaling the end of the New Year celebrations. In a pivotal spread that shows Zhao Di sitting with her dog and chickens, readers are granted an interior view of the architecture and layout of a rustic farmhouse. In addition, the villagers’ various clothing styles, headdresses, and skin tones suggest the region’s diverse ethnicities and socio-economic landscapes. As the story concludes with the obligatory smashing and burning of the lanterns, Zhao Di comforts herself with the hopeful thought of lighting new lanterns next year.

A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-5420-2984-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021

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A PLUMP AND PERKY TURKEY

The leaves have changed, Thanksgiving nears—and the canny turkeys of Squawk Valley have decamped, leaving local residents to face the prospect of a birdless holiday. What to do? They decide to lure a bird back by appealing to its vanity, placing a want ad for a model to help sculptors creating turkey art, then “inviting” the bird to dinner. The ploy works, too, for out of the woods struts plump and perky Pete to take on the job. Shelly debuts with brightly hued cartoon scenes featuring pop-eyed country folk and deceptively silly-looking gobblers. Pete may be vain, but he hasn’t lost the wiliness of his wild ancestors; when the townsfolk come for him, he hides amidst a flock of sculpted gobblers—“There were turkeys made of spuds, / there were turkeys made of rope. / There were turkeys made of paper, / there were turkeys made of soap. / The room was full of turkeys / in a wall to wall collage. / For a clever bird like Pete / it was perfect camouflage.” He makes his escape, and is last seen lounging on a turkey-filled tropical beach as the disappointed Squawk Valleyites gather round the table for a main course of . . . shredded wheat. Good for a few giggles. (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001

ISBN: 1-890817-91-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2001

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