Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' [Paperback]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Mrs. Tappleton gets up early to prepare the turkey. Mr. Tappleton sets off to buy the pies. Kenny makes the salad, and Jenny mashes the potatoes. Then all the relatives arrive for an enormous Thanksgiving dinner.

But this year nothing seems to go right. First the turkey slides down the icy hill and into the pond -- plop! splash! Then the bakery sells out of pies. It looks like it's going to be a pretty bleak holiday...until Grandmother reminds everyone that there's more to Thanksgiving than a turkey and trimmings.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-This charming title, originally published in 1982 (HarperCollins), has been newly illustrated with vibrant, humorous artwork, with wolves instead of people as characters. The trouble begins when the turkey slips from Mrs. Tappleton's grasp and slides out the door, across the lawn, and into the frozen pond. Nonstop hilarity continues and more challenges develop with the pies, mashed potatoes, and even the salad. This family races through the day, experiencing one calamitous food catastrophe after another. However, the guests realize that Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate one another, not the traditional feast. This never-a-dull-moment look at Thanksgiving is a feast for the eyes; the slapstick events that develop are what help to strengthen the family ties. A comical, quirky view of tradition and togetherness, this title will be a surefire hit with the storytime crowd.
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.

About the Author

Eileen Spinelli lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, author Jerry Spinelli. As a little girl, Ms. Spinelli knew it was autumn when the family piled into her dad's old Chevy and drove off to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for apples. Ms. Spinelli is the author of several other children's books, including Thanksgiving At the Tappletons', illustrated by Megan Lloyd, and What Do Angels Wear?, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064432041
• ISBN-13: 978-0064432047
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,368,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical and touching story of a family's Thanksgiving, October 30, 1998

By 

DTru_Rivvy (Riverside, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' (Library Binding)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What happened to the people?, November 13, 2007

By 

Ashley B. Elrod (Naples, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' (reillustrated edition) (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good enough to share, October 11, 2005

By 

E. Link (Newburyport , Ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' (Hardcover)

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.