Thanksgiving Is Here! [Paperback]

Diane Goode (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

As soon as Maggie's grandma and grandpa get the turkey in the oven, bright and early on Thanksgiving morning, the guests arrive and the commotion begins: glamorous aunts, crying babies, acrobatic cousins, strange dogs, mysterious gifts, romance, friendships, "yackety-yak"ing and, of course, lots of wonderful food and fun.

You'll find a new story every time you read this joyous celebration of Thanksgiving!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-An appealing account of a family gathering with wonderfully warm illustrations. Grandma and Grandpa prepare for a Thanksgiving celebration and each ring of the doorbell brings a crew of happy, hungry relatives, awaiting their hugs. The pet bird and cat seem eager to join in the fun. After everyone helps with the preparations, Grandma rings the dinner bell and all convene for a memorable holiday. The humorously detailed, pen-and-ink and watercolor, cartoon artwork is exuberant, mischievous, and full of surprises. This Thanksgiving book has something for everyone.
Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2 Thanksgiving means family, food, friends, and a reason to be grateful. All that and more is whimsically portrayed in a book that is more a chain reaction of events than a story. Still, there's plenty of bounce per ounce, which begins as a red-haired grandmother and her mustachioed husband get up and put in the turkey. Then the doorbell rings, and the tumult begins. Adults, children (many redheads), babies, and animals arrive and set the table, talk, knit, play instruments, and eat. After dinner, it's time for walking, washing, drying, a bit of crying, and dessert. The text, a line or so to a page, almost sounds as if it should be sung ("Ding-a-Ling! Grandma rings. Everyone come to the table!"). But it's the artwork that's the focus here, and sometimes there's so much activity, it's hard to believe that the figures are not really moving. There are several thin story lines to follow (What's that big wrapped present?), but kids probably won't pick them up until a welcome second or third reading. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060515902
• ISBN-13: 978-0060515904
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 10.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #541,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Thanksgiving
  • #88 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Thanksgiving

More About the Author

Diane Goode was born in Brooklyn, New York into a French and Italian family. She has a BA in Fine Arts from Queens College. She studied at Les Beaux Arts in Aix-en-Provence, has a High School teaching degree from NYC and taught book illustration at UCLA.

Diane Goode's list of picture 50 picture books include, 'When I Was Young In The Mountains', for which she won the Caldecott Honor. She is also the recipient of numerous awards including two Platinum Oppenheim Toy Awards, and Parents' Choice Awards.

Her most recent publications are: CINDERELLA SMITH, by Stephanie Barden, LOUISE THE BIG CHEESE series, by Elise Primavera and MY MOM IS TRYING TO RUIN MY LIFE and BUT I WANTED A BABY BROTHER, both by Kate Feiffer (A Paula wiseman Book, Simon& Schuster) 2008.

A member of the Society of Illustrators, she chaired the 2007 Original Art Show in Manhattan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much to see!, October 15, 2003

By 

bea cromwell (Philadelphia,PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thanksgiving Is Here! (Hardcover)

A great book to read with children who are anticipating the Thanksgiving holiday! I will use it with children before and after that big food/family day. All the fixings are here! The family arriving, the action, the food, the children's antics, the cleaning up in the kitchen and everyone's departure. So many details for children to spot as they look at the wonderful illustrations of this action packed day.
Feel the anticipation of this great family holiday and that good feeling once the day of friends and family have come and gone.
A great way to discuss how you celebrate this day with your children, friends and family.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joyful celebration!, November 25, 2003

By 

E. S. Will "a new leaf" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanksgiving Is Here! (Hardcover)

The busy, whimsical illustrations tell much of the story in this book that kids will enjoy poring over. Grandma and Grandpa are up early to wrestle the turkey into the oven. Aunts, uncles and cousins start arriving, with assorted babies, pets, paraphernalia and packages.

The simple acts of peeling potatoes, setting the table, hunting for extra chairs, yakking, horseplay -- and several visual subplots --are joyfully depicted in this celebration of family gatherings.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is Thanksgiving this much fun at your house each year?, November 25, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thanksgiving Is Here! (Hardcover)

Diane Goode went to a lot of large family gatherings when she was growing up, which is why when she asked herself "What happens at Thanksgiving?" the answer was "Why, everything!" This idea is important because you want to pay attention to the details in these pen-and-ink drawings with a watercolor wash that tell the story of what happens when twenty-eight friends and relatives arrive on Thanksgiving Day. It begins with Grandma and Grandpa rising early on Thanksgiving morning to get the turkey in the oven before the guests arrive to help, talk, and eat (not necessarily in that order). The story is told by young Maggie, who arrives with her family first, when it is time to peel the potatoes and roll out the dough. But then more people arrive, from Maggie's glamorous aunt and the uncle with a hairpiece that cannot stay in one place to the acrobatic cousin and the friendly dog that follow Maggie around. Intended for young readers age 3-8, being able to read the simple text of "Thanksgiving Is Here!" is only part of the fun. The main part comes from looking at the pictures and discovering what is in the surprise package, who might be interested in becoming more than friends, and several other things that can be learned only by carefully studying each and every illustration. "Thanksgiving Is Here!" is either a perfect reward for young readers who have helped prepare the food or set the table, or as a fun way of keeping them occupied while the adults have all the Turkey Day fun.