Perfect Picture Book Friday: Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’

Posted on November 20, 2015 by viviankirkfield

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, I wanted to offer up an oldie but a goodie that was originally published in 1982 and has been revised and re-released this year. You go, Eileen Spinelli and Maryann Cocca-Leffler! Plus, Maryann, who is the illustrator for this book, will be our featured Will Write for Cookies guest in tomorrow’s post.

Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’

Written by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Publisher: HarperCollins (1982, 2015)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, family togetherness

Opening Lines:

“Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ was always a big day. Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ meant, of course, the Tappleton family.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Thanksgiving is always a big day at the Tappletons’. But this Thanksgiving each task is interrupted by calamity and hilarity: first the turkey slips away . . . then the bakery is sold out . . . and so on, until Uncle Fritz and Grandfather Tappleton despair of ever eating dinner at all!

It’s not until Grandmother Tappleton reminds everyone, “there is more to Thanksgiving than a turkey and trimmings,” that the Tappletons begin to improvise . . . and end up enjoying a most unusual holiday “feast.”

Delicious drawings add to the merriment of this warm, contemporary tale, whose mirth and message youngsters will savor.”

Why I like this book:

Great read-aloud…with so much humor. Kids will be laughing and so will parents.
Each character shows so much personality…I feel there could be spin-off books about each of them.
A heartfelt message that is timely and timeless.

How a parent can use this book:

Wonderful read aloud.
Great book to encourage discussion of the importance of family.
Springboard for talking about what we are thankful for.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Gratitude Jar

Photo courtesy: http://www.somewhatsimple.com

You will need: A jar, paper, pen and/or markers, glue, scissors.

For detailed directions for this and other wonderful crafts, please visit: http://www.somewhatsimple.com/gratitude-jar/

And for more wonderful picture book reviews, please hop over to to Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

Make sure you come back here tomorrow! I spent an hour chatting with our Will Write for Cookies’ guest last weekend at a book signing for her newest release, A Homemade Together Christmas. I’ll be reviewing that for Perfect Picture Book Friday in a couple of weeks.

Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Will Write for Cookies

TOMORROW!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend. Remember, the holidays are about love, peace, and friendship. Reach out to those who need your smile.

Monday Writing Magic: WordPress Family Blog Award

Posted on November 24, 2013 by viviankirkfield

In every field, there are awards that are bestowed in recognition of excellence. The Nobel Peace Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and the Oscars and Emmys are a few of the well-known accolades. Even the blogsphere has some…The Versatile Blogger, Stylish Blog, Candlelighter Award…there are dozens. One of the newest is the WordPress Family Blog Award.

All bloggers are writers…and all writers need encouragement and support. Being part of the WordPress Family, I’ve found so much support and encouragement from fellow bloggers. Some write picture books, some write memoirs, some write YA or MG, some are not trying to write a book, but are investing their talent in writing great blog posts.

Marylin over at Things I Want to Tell My Mother honored me with it the other day. One of the things I regret is that while I lived in Colorado Springs, I never connected in person with this amazing writer. In her blog, she shares the wonderful accomplishments and giving nature of her mom who now suffers from Alzheimers. Marylin supports aspiring authors with writing contests and her blog is a cornucopia of goodness and love and information…on child care, recipes, gardening anecdotes and family matters. If you don’t know Marylin, I hope you will stop by her blog to say hello…you won’t be disappointed.

When I received the award, I tried to find out a little more about it. I discovered that it was started by Shaun from Scotland: http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/word-press-family-award/

This is what Shaun said about the award:

“This is an award for Continue reading →

Penguin – A Picture Book Review About Communication

Posted on November 22, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

Thanksgiving is next week…it is a time for being thankful for those we love…but sometimes, because of a lack of communication, there can be misunderstanding and unhappiness.

My picture book choice echoes that theme.