Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving
Illustrator: James Bernardin
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
HarperCollins, 2005 ISBN: 978-0060004507
The Bassett family are getting ready for Thanksgiving when all of a sudden out of the snow and cold, a man drives up in his sleigh. The news is grave - Mrs. Bassett?s old mother is ill and she needs her daughter at once. In no time at all the Bassett children find themselves alone at home with no prospect of a Thanksgiving celebration in sight. Tilly, the eldest child in the family, is not one to be put off however and even though she has never cooked a turkey before, she is determined to do so on this day.
As one might expect, a few mistakes are made. The wrong herbs are used in the stuffing and important ingredients are left out of the pudding. Doggedly Tilly and her sister Prue work on, trying to get everything ready for five o?clock when they hope their father will be back.
What the children do not expect is for their little house to be flooded with cheerful happy people, all hungry and ready for a celebration.
In the tradition of the Little House Books, this wonderful tale of a Thanksgiving celebration is full of the warmth and love of a close family. Despite a family crisis Tilly is determined to give her father, brothers, and sisters a special meal and her culinary mistakes will make readers smile. Most important of all Tilly and her family have real cause for celebration and thanksgiving and it is a pleasure to share their gratitude as we read the text of this lovely picture book.
For those readers who are skilled in the kitchen there is a recipe in the back of the book for "Louisa May Alcott?s Apple Slump," one of the dishes that Tilly cooked to perfection on that special Thanksgiving day.
