An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

by Louisa May Alcott

Overview

A heartwarming story set in rural New Hampshire in the 1800s. As the Thanksgiving Day festivities are beginning, the Bassetts must leave on an emergency. The two eldest children are in charge of the household--they prepare a holiday meal like they've never had before! Full color throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617209123
Publisher:	Wilder Publications
Publication date:	04/12/2013
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.06(d)

About the Author

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) is the author of the beloved Little Women, which was based on her own experiences growing up in New England with her parents and three sisters. More than a century after her death, Louisa May Alcott's stories continue to delight readers of all ages.

James Bernardin is a versatile and prolific illustrator of many acclaimed books for children. He has illustrated Laura Numeroff's Would I Trade My Parents?, Eve Bunting's Too Many Monsters, and Candy Chand's The Twelve Prayers of Christmas. He has also created artwork for numerous book covers, including Mary Pope Osborne's Tales from the Odyssey series.

James lives on Bainbridge Island in Washington State with his wife, Lisa, and two sons, Wyeth and Bryson.

Editorial Reviews

James Bernardin's illustrations gussy up an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, which tells of Farmer Bassett and his family: "They were poor in money, but rich in land and love." When Mrs. Bassett learns that her mother has taken ill, Farmer Bassett escorts his wife on the long drive and, with the best of intentions, the older children set about making the holiday meal. Though a few recipes go awry, Bernardin's energetic paintings convey the warmth and love of a shared holiday event. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Mama is suddenly called away to help her sick mother, but the children, headed by oldest daughter Tilly, decide that they can handle the Thanksgiving dinner. After many mishaps, including an encounter with a neighbor boy dressed up in a bearskin, dinner is underway and happily Ma, Pa, and other relatives come to join in. The dinner isn't perfect, but the loving family and joy of being together makes this a perfect story for a family to share. 1995 (orig.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

This is how Thanksgiving should be remembered. A soft snow cover, a feast of turkey and a happy, healthy family are all the ingredients for this festive, thankful, homespun holiday. Bernardin's illustrations present Alcott's classic tale in a picture-book format, clearly more attractive and concise than other editions of the story. It is the early to mid 1800s in New Hampshire and Mrs. Bassett is preparing her family's Thanksgiving meal, but is interrupted by someone " . . . comin' up the hill lively!" with news of her mother being very ill. Immediately Farmer Bassett and his wife leave to be with her, leaving the six children home to prepare the meal. Though none have ever cooked before—how difficult could it be? Their mother made meals so easily. When Pa arrives later with Ma, Grandma, Aunt Cathy, Uncle Mose and their children, all is well. (Grandma's illness was just a misunderstanding.) Was the children's first attempt preparing Thanksgiving memorable? You be the judge and make plans to weave this nostalgic story into your holiday traditions. Be sure to try out the recipe for Louisa May Alcott's "Apple Slump" which follows the text: very simple with ingredients probably already in your kitchen, or as a class project. 2005, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8.
—Elizabeth Young

Children's Literature

K-Gr 2-A picture-book adaptation of a story first told in St. Nicholas magazine in 1881. On a farm in New Hampshire in the 1800s, the Bassett children attempt to make Thanksgiving dinner when their parents are suddenly called away because their grandmother is ill. Tilly forgets to put sugar and salt in the plum pudding. Instead of marjoram and savory, Prue puts catnip and wormwood in the stuffing. The parents soon return along with aunt and uncle and cousins in tow. There was even a mistake about Grandma, who arrives in perfectly fine health. The turkey is inedible, but the apple slump is perfect (recipe included). This is a simple, old-fashioned look at family togetherness during the holiday. The colorful, full-page art is stronger than the story and gives a warm glow to the occasion through Bernardin's use of a golden-colored palette reminiscent of a room filled by the light of a fireplace and candles. However, how many times does this lackluster story need to be re-illustrated? Libraries that own previous renditions such as the one illustrated by Jody Wheeler (Ideals, 1993) or the version with wood engravings by Michael McCurdy (Holiday House, 1989) may not need another.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Perfect illustrations.

Newton’s Book News

A new version of the classic tale.

Rocky Mountain News

Perfect illustrations.

Newton's Book News

Wholesome, timely story.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Perfect illustrations.

Newton’s Book News