An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving (Hardcover)

by Louisa May Alcott (Author), James Bernardin (Illustrator) "Many years ago, up among the New Hampshire hills, lived Fanner Bassett, with a house full of sturdy sons and daughters growing up about him..." (more)
Key Phrases: Aunt Cinthy

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-5-- When their parents are called away to care for an ailing grandmother, seven children continue preparations for the family's Thanksgiving meal, hoping to surprise and cheer their parents on their return. And although the plum pudding is rock-hard and the turkey stuffing bitter, the children's efforts are appreciated, and the holiday gathering is enjoyed by all. A high-spirited, good-humored account of a rural, 19th-century New Hampshire Thanksgiving, this story demonstrates Alcott's belief that health, hard work, and cheery good will are of greater value than wealth and position. Her description of children gives the impression that she both understood and liked them. This new edition is handsome, both in layout and in illustration. McCurdy's nine, colored-wood engravings are arresting, and are in great contrast to Holly Johnson's many, homey drawings done for an earlier edition (Lippincott, 1974). Johnson's drawings are perhaps more in keeping with the realistic and homespun nature of Alcott's story, but there's much pleasure to be had in the fine quality of McCurdy's artwork. --Cynthia Bishop, Onondaga County Public Library, Syracuse, NY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A new version of the classic tale." -- Rocky Mountain News

"Bernardin’s energetic paintings convey the warmth and love of a shared holiday event." -- Publishers Weekly

"Perfect illustrations." -- Newton’s Book News

"Wholesome, timely story." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060004509
• ISBN-13: 978-0060004507
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #729,243 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for a Wintery Day, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (Paperback)

This wholesome little book warms you from the inside with it's tale of the Bassett childrens' attempt to prepare Thanksgiving dinner while their mother and father are away. The hard work of the Bassett girls, some surprises, and only a few slight failures result in a memorable holiday for the Bassett family. Although rather short, this book is appropriate for people of all ages. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is a sweet story that will brighten a cold day for anyone from age five to age one-hundred.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and homey., November 29, 2008

By	K. Childs (Rochester, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The author of "Little Women" gives us a heartwarming, homey tale of the Basset family, who were "poor in money, but rich in love." It's Thanksgiving Day, and the kitchen is full of the bustle of food preparations. Unexpectedly, a neighbor comes by to tell Mrs. Basset that her mother is ill, so Mr. Basset drives her away in the sleigh. Though the parents don't expect the children to prepare the Thanksgiving feast on their own, Tilly, the oldest, determines to give it a try. Things don't go smoothly in the kitchen, and many dishes are smelling a little odd as they cook, when two sleighs arrive, chock full of relatives! Grandma, it turns out, is fine, and she and aunts and uncles have come to feast at the Bassets. Though Tilly is embarrassed at the parts of the meal that didn't turn out too well, most is edible and much appreciated, and the home is filled with nourishing love and gratitude.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for children!, October 4, 2005

By	Book Lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (Paperback)

If holidays make you blue and Thanksgiving even more so, then read this delightfully innocent tale and feel a sense of gratitude again. It will bring out your inner child and let you feel vicariously all the love and nurturing within this charming tale.