Thanksgiving Is

by Louise Borden, Steve Bjorkman (Illustrator)

Introduces young readers to the challenging lives of the Pilgrims and their first bountiful harvest, for which they gave thanks with a feast of wild fowl, salted fish, and corn. Original.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, School, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

There were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.

I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.

Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.

Reviews

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is 20+ years old and it shows, especially the European viewpoint. Look for newer, broader view books instead.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited because I thought I could use this book for preschoolers (yes, I know it's a level 3 book, but still). Alas, it is indeed not meant for toddlers. It would have been okay, but I didn't like the gun part, "BANG! BANG!". I know that was the hunting part, but I wouldn't want to introduce that to the preschoolers. Otherwise it was an okay book. It talked about how the journey was to the new land, why they came to the new land, and what Thanksgiving is about nowadays and how it was back then. Illustrations were colorful and also alright. My favorite is the last page where you see the modern children playing together and then in the thought bubble cloud above them is same thing illustrated but with children form back in the day. That was clever and a lovely way to end the book.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

How come every book that includes modern celebrations of Thanksgiving always include football? Have we really made Thanksgiving about football?

[J.]

J said she read the whole thing at school to Jesse.

[Amara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need to make a shelf called "White-washing".

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Isn't that sweet lol

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple but fun narrative for your beginning reader!

Reading Level: 1st - 2nd

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Cws]

H-T-Bor

[Lyndsay M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grades: K-1

[Lisa Driskill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. A little watered down. Not sure how accurate it is.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok . Not enough to it spotty at times