What's In My Book Bag?

30 Books of Thanks -- November 30 -- P Is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet -- Book Review

The Plot

P Is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet is a Thanksgiving themed ABC book where there is one entry for every letter of the alphabet.  There is a short rhyming poem for each letter that coordinates with the illustrations.  There is also a sidebar for each letter that further explains or adds information about the entry.  I was surprised at how detailed and educational the sidebar information was for many of the entries.  I learned information that I had not known.

 

Religious beliefs of Pilgrims and Native Americans discussed.  Illustration of father reading Holy Bible to children.

 

Further Learning:

• The sidebar sections are quite detailed with additional information.  Some have questions for discussion.  Use these as starting points for your own discussions.  If one of these topics is of great interest, do further research at your local library or online.
• Show on a map where the pilgrims sailed from and where they landed.
• The entry for the letter N discusses one of the four carvings in the capitol building.  Research what the other three carvings depict.
• Make a recipe with cranberries.
• Make your own family ABC book about Thanksgiving.
• Look for the Teacher's Guide available on the publisher's website: http://sleepingbearpress.com/.  (Just to note: I found this title through my local library system and decided to read and review it on my own.  I did not receive a copy from the publisher and they have no idea that I have reviewed their book.  I will say that I am so impressed by the number of teacher's guides available on their website and the quality of this book that I will probably seek out more of their titles to review).

 

The links above are for the paperback edition.  I read the hardcover editionto write this review.  

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 29 -- Scholastic Reader Level 1: I Spy Thanksgiving -- Book Review

The Plot

The Scholastic Reader Level 1: I Spy Thanksgiving would be good for an early reader at that skill level or fans of the I Spy books.  I was expecting that the photos and the items to look for would have been all autumn/Thanksgiving related.  They were not.  That being said, this still is a good I Spy early reader book.

 

Further Learning:

• Obviously, look for the I Spy items in the book.
• Create your own "hidden objects" game by placing different small items on a tray.  Can you create one using all autumn/Thanksgiving items (pumpkins, turkeys, leaves, mini cornucopia, Indian corn)?  

 

I read the paperback edition to write this review.  

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 28 -- The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving -- Book Review

The Plot

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving is more of an educational reference book about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.  In this book we learn about key names, key dates, historical facts like the Peace Treaty between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and life in Plymouth.  This book includes a timeline of key dates, a glossary, an index, a bibliography of other books to read and internet sites to learn more.  There is also a "Myth Busted" section where common thoughts about the First Thanksgiving are shown to not necessarily be correct.  This is a very good resource for studying about the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving.

 

Further Learning:

• This book gives an excellent example for the discussion about perception.  Gun shots were heard.  The Native Americans thought one thing and the Pilgrims in the village thought something different.  Both groups heard the same sound but had opposite thoughts.  Could lead to very interesting discussions and learning.
• In this book we learn that the celebration lasted more than one day.  How long would you like Thanksgiving to be celebrated?
• Read the Myth Busted section.  Did you learn anything that surprised you?
• Do further learning by reading one of the books from the bibliography or visiting the internet with parent supervision.

 

I read the library binding edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 27 -- The Night Before Thanksgiving -- Book Review

The Plot

The Night Before Thanksgiving reminds us of the classic poem, The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.  Author Natasha Wing, writes in the same style as the original poem but gives us a story about Thanksgiving.  The illustrations are colorful, fun and detailed.  

Further Learning:

• If relatives will be visiting, what types of transportation will they take?  If you will be travelling, what type of transportation will you take?
• What type of pie or dessert will you have at your Thanksgiving meal?
• Watch the parade on television.  Draw a picture.
• What are the names of your cousins?  Will you see all of them on Thanksgiving?
• Make pilgrim hats and put on a play for your family.
• What turkey decorations did they have in the book?  Make your own turkey decoration.

 

I read the paperback edition to write this review. 

 

If you like this book, this author has written many other Night Before titles.

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 26 -- Thanksgiving With Me -- Book Review

The Plot

Thanksgiving with Me is a story told in rhyme.   A little girl is eagerly waiting to see her uncles again when they return home to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The illustrations are colorful and entertaining and help to express the emotion of the story.

 

Further Learning:

• Discuss relatives and friends that you are hoping to see at your Thanksgiving celebration.  What will you do when you see them again?

 

I read the hardcover edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 25 -- One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims -- Book Review

The Plot

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims reminds us of the childhood poem.  In this version, the Native Americans are called by their tribal name, Wampanoag.  The illustrations are colorful and detailed.  I like that when you get to the number 10 in the story, you are able to look for and count the 10 children in the picture.  The story goes further to educate beside simply counting.  A wonderful Note from the Author reads like a Frequently Asked Questions and is very informative and educational about the history of the Pilgrims and Native Americans.  A Bibliography is also included.

 

Further Learning:

•  Look for the 10 Pilgrims, 10 Wampanoags and 10 turkeys in the pictures when you get to that part in the story.
• Read and discuss the Note from the Author section at the back of the book.
• Discuss the different jobs the pilgrim and Wampanoag children do to prepare for the feast.  What jobs can you do to help prepare for your Thanksgiving feast?

 

I read the paperback edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 24 -- Marley: A Thanksgiving to Remember -- Book Review

The Plot

Marley: A Thanksgiving to Remember is an 8x8 children's lift-the-flap book based on the dog from the adult biography, Marley & Me.  Each page has a flap to lift to reveal a hidden object.  The inside covers do not.  

 

In the story we see the family prepare for a Thanksgiving meal.  Throughout the day key items need to be found.  We find those items when we lift the flap.  While the family does say what they are thankful for around the table it is not a story with a deep, meaningful message.  The appeal is in lifting the flap and seeing the dog get into mischief.

 

Further Learning:

• Lift the flaps to find the hidden objects.
• If this story becomes a favorite that you read multiple times, see if your child remembers what is hidden under the flap before you lift it.
• If you have a pet, discuss how your pet is a member of your family.

 

I read the paperback edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 23 -- Five Little Turkeys -- Book Review

The Plot

Five Little Turkeys counts us backward from 5 to 1 as we see a group of turkeys leave one by one to do their own activity.  Their are holes in the pages that reveal a plastic turkey (See Note to Parents about the Choking Hazard Warning below).  As each turkey leaves there is one less plastic turkey to count on the next page.  The children have sweet faces in the drawings.  The text rhymes and helps to lead one activity to the next.  There is a number in a box to show the number of turkeys.

 

Note to Parents: The front of this book has a Choking Hazard Warning.  Not for children under 3 years.

Further Learning:

• Discuss the number and count the plastic turkeys.
• The illustrations are colorful and inviting.  Discuss colors.  Look for other animals.  Count children.

 

I read a hardcover edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 22 -- Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade -- Book Review

The Plot

I'm a big fan of the parade.  It has been a tradition since I was a very young child to watch the parade on television every Thanksgiving.  My favorites are the balloons.  So when I saw, Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade, I knew I had to read it.

 

What can I say?  If you are a fan you probably want to read this one also (especially if you love the balloons)!  The illustrations are quite detailed and colorful.  I liked learning about how this man's natural interests as a boy led to his vocation as an adult.  I also enjoyed learning about the history of the Macy's parade and how and why it started.  Don't miss the reprint of the ad for the Macy's parade from 1933 in the back inside cover of the book.

 

Further Learning:

• Watch the parade on television (or in person).
• Draw your favorite balloon from the parade.
• If you could design a balloon for the parade, what would it be?  Draw a picture.
• Make/play with a marionette.
• Make a puppet and put on a puppet show.
• Do a science experiment with pulleys.  
• Get a helium balloon with arms & legs.  Tape strings to the balloon to show how moving the strings can move the balloon.  Make the character look like it is waving hello.
  

 

An added note: I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream to go to New York City on Thanksgiving to see the parade in person.  And yes it is crowded.  And even if you get there very early you may not be able to get up close to the parade route.  But even if you are not close it is possible to see the balloons.  And it is totally worth it!

 

Here are a couple of photos I took when I saw the parade in person.

I read the hardcover edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.

30 Books of Thanks -- November 21 -- Cranberry Thanksgiving -- Book Review

The Plot

I'm a little biased on this one because Cranberry Thanksgiving takes me back to my childhood.  This is the book my mother would read at Thanksgiving time.

 

Maggie's Grandmother made cranberry bread that was so good that many bakers offered her money for the recipe.  She didn't want their money.  She wanted to give that recipe to Maggie some day.  

 

Grandmother prepared a Thanksgiving feast.  She invited one guest to join them and told Maggie to do the same.  But one of the guests should not be trusted.

 

Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread recipe is included at the back of the book.

 

Further Learning:

• Opportunities for discussion: judging others by the way they look, forgiveness.
• Make the recipe for Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread at the back of the book.
• Discuss items or recipes that have been handed down from one generation to another in your family.
• If you have a family recipe that has been handed down from someone from a previous generation, you could make it together and then discuss the person who gave it to you.
• Maggie and her Grandmother lived near a cranberry bog.  Learn more about cranberry bogs.

 

I read a paperback edition to write this review. 

Prices change all of the time.  

Double check the price before making a purchasing decision.