Customer Reviews

Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Eileen Spinelli's Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' is a picture book suitable for reading aloud with older kids. A simple reminder of the true meaning of Thanksgiving is brought to light after a series of mishaps that any busy, modern family can identify with. Spinelli's humor and gentle touch is evident in this story, as it is in her Valentines' Day story, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. Both books are great for storytimes, home and classroom libraries.

I adore this holiday book. It keeps the kids interested with humor and teaches the true meaning of the holidays... which we tend to be too busy trying to make everything right to remember. It's truly charming, but what happened to the people? I liked that it was a story about a family that we can relate to rather than a group of wolves. I was going to buy this book for my younger brother who is student teaching, but I think I'll hold out until I can find an older copy that still has people inside.

We have had this book for two years. Today at nap time I asked my daughter (5 yrs) to choose a book for me to read that her brother (3 yrs) would enjoy as well. She went up to the playroom and returned with "...the Tappletons". We laughed and decided to send it to a few friends.

This is a wonderful Thanksgiving story for children and families--a true classic. However, it was ever so much more effective when the illustrations were of people, not wolves! If you can find an older version with the people illustrations, buy that one instead.

If you are looking for a Thanksgiving story book, "Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'" is good and warm hearted.

But books like "The Thanksgiving Door" or "Molly's Pilgrim" do a better job at conveying a sense of thanksfulness that transcends the usual native American/Pilgrim motif. "How do we find connections rather than differences?" is the central theme of a real thanksgiving, not turkey and stuffing.

This story would be nice if it didn't teach your child about the merits of lying and dishonesty. Members of the family make simple mistakes, but each character refuses to take personal responsibility for ruining their share of Thanksgiving until it is too late. Grandpa tries to save Turkey Day by desribing the true meaning of the day, but it is too late to save this family of delinquents.